Another poor first-half performance means that Rovers are behind at the break. Rovers started the better and looked good going forward, but poor defending saw them fall behind. A long ball from the 'Boro back saw Lukas Jutkiewicz win the flick-on and the striker continued his run to neatly finish off after being slipped through by Emnes. The goal completely changed the momentum in the match and Middlesbrough were on the front foot and controlling possession, testing the Rovers back four and Paul Robinson on several occasions. Rovers have made a habit of coming from behind this season, but they will have to be much improved if they are to grab the three points and extend their lead at the top of the table. View full article

Rovers are level at the break following a disappointing first half against Barnsley. The home side have been flat for much of the half and have struggled to create chances and can consider themselves lucky not to be behind. Barnsley took the lead when Mellis scored just after the half hour mark when his fine effort from the right-hand side of the penalty area beat Paul Robinson. It looked as though Barnsley would lead at half-time, but in injury time Jordan Rhodes grabbed a goal to celebrate his home debut. He controlled Pedersen's header down, before turning and finishing neatly. View full article

Rovers and Bristol City are level at the break following a difficult opening half for the away side. Sloppy defending allowed Bristol City to take the lead inside the first minute, but Jordan Rhodes grabbed his first goal for Rovers when he calmly slotted past the City keeper. Rovers will be worried by the fact that Givet was forced off with an injury. View full article

Rovers and Leeds United have played out a 3-3 draw at Elland Road. The draw means that Rovers remain unbeaten this season, but they will feel like it is two points dropped after blowing a two-goal lead. Rovers started brightly and raced to a two-goal lead thanks to good strikes from Olsson and Gomes. Pedersen's ball in behind the Leeds defence was perfect for Olsson to run on to and the Swede's good strike gave Rovers the lead. Gomes then doubled Rovers' advantage with another well-hit effort after more smart play between Pedersen and Olsson. Rovers' good start was undone when sloppy defending allowed Diouf to score after scrappy play in the penalty area. The former Rovers man clearly enjoyed scoring his first goal for Leeds and it quickly proved to be a momentum changer. Rovers looked terrible at the back, not helped by first-half injuries to both Dann and Givet, but comical defending allowed Leeds to level things up through McCormack's volley. The away side were out of sorts and Leeds continued to create chances and eventually took the lead when more poor defending allowed Becchio to head home. Leeds nearly wrapped the points up moments later, but their fourth goal was disallowed for a foul on Jason Lowe. It looked as though Rovers would walk away with nothing, but with seven minutes remaining Hanley headed back across goal and Rochina's improvisational back-heel found its way into the back of the net. It was Rovers' third fine finish of the afternoon, a total contrast to their lack of composure and skill at the back. Both sides had chances to win it late on, but in the end they were forced to share the spoils. View full article

Rovers have been knocked out of the League Cup at the first time of asking following an embarrassing defeat to League One MK Dons. Although Rovers went closest to opening the scoring in the first half, it was the home side that always looked the more comfortable. They took a deserved lead when Hanley's error allowed Chadwick to slot the ball home. It was the former United man who then doubled the lead thanks to Jake Kean's error in the Rovers goal. Rovers grabbed a consolation goal at the death through David Goodwillie, but it was too little, too late. "Kean Out" chants echoed around the stadium, with the away supporters making their feelings known after watching a disappointing display. View full article

It's goalless at the break between MK Dons and Rovers in the 2nd Round of the Capital One Cup. The home side have been in the ascendancy, but Rovers have looked dangerous on the break and went closest to taking the lead when they had an effort cleared off the line. View full article

Rovers have beaten Leicester City 2-1 at Ewood Park to maintain their unbeaten start to the season. The result moves Rovers up to third, two points behind league leaders Blackpool. Leicester City dominated the first half and went painfully close to opening the scoring when Nugent looked certain to score with a close-range header, but Robinson produced a fantastic stop that may well be a candidate for save-of-the-season. The away side continued to push forward and once again went close when King found space in the box, only to see his goal-bound effort blocked by Dann. It was shortly after that wonderful block that Rovers took the lead. Lowe did well to roll the ball across the edge of the box and Nuno Gomes grabbed his first goal for Rovers with a well-placed low effort. The goal came completely against the run of play and Rovers were fortunate to go into the break with the lead. The home side started the second half more brightly and did a better job of retaining possession, but it was a piece of sloppy defending that allowed Leicester to level things up. Dann's underhit backpass put Vardy through on goal and the striker calmly slotted the ball past Robinson. Vardy then had a goal controversially ruled out for offside, with replays showing that it was a very close call. Rochina was brought on with a quarter of an hour to play and the Spaniard was soon to help set up Rovers' second goal. His pass found Pedersen in the box and the midfielder brilliantly brought the ball under control and then bent a right-footed effort around a Leicester defender and in off the post. The Norwegian clearly enjoyed the goal and ran to the touchline to celebrate with a cane, a move that was obviously a reaction to Shebby Singh's recent "pensioner" comments. Leicester City poured forward as they pushed for an equaliser and Rovers were pinned well inside their own half. They managed to hold on and nearly doubled their lead when Goodwillie had a good chance on the break. It was far from a fine performance, but it was a good three points and Rovers won consecutive games for only the second time during Steve Kean's time in charge. View full article

Rovers lead at the break against Leicester City, this despite having been second best for the majority of the opening period. Leicester City dominated the opening quarter of an hour with Rovers struggling to get the ball out of their own half. It was the away side that nearly opened the scoring, but Robinson produced a wonderful save to deny David Nugent's header from point-blank range. With half an hour gone Leicester went close again, this time King found space in the box and cut back as Givet slid in, only to see his effort blocked by a fantastic last-ditch Dann sliding challenge. The block proved to be crucial as only minutes later Rovers took the lead. Lowe worked hard on the right to keep possession and rolled the ball across the edge of the box to Gomes, whose low shot found its way through a group of bodies and past Schmeichel in the Leicester goal. It was completely against the run of play, but the summer signing seemed delighted to net his first goal for Rovers. As the half drew to a close, Nugent's effort from outside of the area forced Robinson into another decent save, but Rovers were able to see out the half in relatively untroubled, if unspectacular, fashion. View full article

Ruben Rochina has been left out of today's matchday squad, this despite reports that had suggested that he would at least feature on the bench. Summer signing Fabio Nunes makes his debut, while David Dunn returns to the starting line-up. Morten Gamst Pedersen, Formica and Nuno Gomes have been dropped to the bench following disappointing performances in the opening game of the season. Blackburn Rovers Robinson, Orr, Givet, Dann, Lowe, Nunes, Dunn, Etuhu, Murphy, Olsson, Kazim-Richards Substitutes: Kean, Pedersen, Gomes, Edihnho, Hanley, Ribeiro, Jorge Hull City Amos, Rosenior, McKenna, Chester, Evans, Koren, Dudgeon, Faye, Aluko, Bruce, Proschwitz Substitutes: Oxley, Stewart, McLean, Simpson, Cairney, McShane, Olofinjana View full article

Rovers have opened their campaign with a draw away to Ipswich Town. New loan-signing Colin Kazim-Richards had given Rovers the lead midway through the first half, but the home side dominated the second half and grabbed an equaliser with 8 minutes remaining. Rovers started well, with new signings Kazim-Richards and Nuno Gomes looking lively up front, and took the lead when Pedersen's corner was headed back across by Scott Dann and then neatly headed in by Kazim-Richards. In the second half Rovers seemed content to defend their lead and sat further back, allowing Ipswich to dictate play and dominate the possession. As the game drew to a close, the pressure eventually produced a goal, although Jason Lowe was unlucky to divert the ball into his own net. The goal appeared to rock Rovers, but they managed to desperately hang on until the final whistle. The result will only increase the pressure on Steve Kean and the performance cannot have impressed Balaji Rao as he watched from the stands. View full article

Rovers make two changes from the side that lost to Liverpool in mid-week, with Pedersen and Lowe returning to the side at the expense of Martin Olsson and Formica. Swansea City Vorm, Williams, Taylor, Caulker, Rangel, Britton, Sinclair, Dyer, Allen, Sigurdsson, Graham Substitutes: Tremmel, Monk, Routledge, McEachran, Gower, Lita, Moore Blackburn Rovers Robinson, Orr, Dunn, Hanley, Marcus Olsson, Pedersen, Dunn, Nzonzi, Lowe, Hoilett, Yakubu Substitutes: Bunn, Martin Olsson, Petrovic, Modeste, Rochina, Goodwillie View full article

Rovers are a goal behind at the Hawthorns, but look far from out of the match. The home side took the lead in the 7th minute when Martin Olsson put the ball into his own goal, but Rovers have responded well to going behind and have bossed possession and created several decent half-chances. West Brom started the brighter and forced four early corners and their pressure eventually told when Olsson could only redirect a header past Robinson and into the roof of the net. The away side gradually worked their way back into the match, with Hoilett looking particularly threatening every time he had the opportunity to run at the West Brom back four and Orr, Dann, Hoilett and Dunn will all feel as if they could have done better with decent opportunities to bring Rovers level. The home supporters were clearly frustrated with the defensive approach that West Brom took after taking the lead, but the Baggies have looked dangerous on the break, particularly down the right-hand side. View full article

Rovers make only one change to the side that lost to Manchester United as David Dunn returns to the starting line-up at the expense of Marcus Olsson. West Brom Foster, Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell, Dorrans, Mulumbu, Andrews, Odemwingie, Fortune, Brunt Substitutes: Daniels, Tchoyi, Long, Shorey, Dawson, Cox, Scharner Blackburn Rovers Robinson, Orr, Dann, Hanley, Martin Olsson, Lowe, Nzonzi, Dunn, Pedersen, Hoilett, Yakubu Substitutes: Kean, Givet, Modeste, Formica, Petrovic, Marcus Olsson, Goodwillie View full article

Rovers look in big trouble at the Reebok where they trail Bolton 2-0 at half-time. David Wheater has scored both of Bolton's goals and Kean will be disappointed with the nature of the two goals. Bolton have had the majority of possession, but it has been a match of few chances so far and both sides have relied heavily on direct play and set pieces. The home side started the better, but Rovers will be unhappy with the fact that they were not awarded a penalty in the 23rd minute when it appeared that Steinsson caught Hoilett as he surged into the Bolton box. Replays showed that there was clearly contact and that the Rovers players had every right to appeal. Despite that scare it was Bolton that took the lead when Nzonzi could only flick on Petrov's cross and Wheater was there to head the home side in front. Yakubu then went close to equalising when his powerful header went just wide, but Wheater then got his second when he met Miyaichi's corner with a thumping header to leave Robinson with no chance. View full article

Rovers have once again named an unchanged side for today's crucial match against Bolton. Bolton Wanderers Bogdan, Steinsson, Ricketts, Wheater, Ream, M. Davies, Petrov, Reo-Coker, Pratley, Ngog, Miyaichi Substitutes: Jaaskelainen, Alonso, Knight, Eagles, K. Davies, Klasnic, Sordell Blackburn Rovers Robinson, Lowe, Dann, Hanley, Martin Olsson, Pedersen, Nzonzi, Hoilett, Marcus Olsson, Formica, Yakubu Substitutes: Bunn, Vukcevic, Orr, Dunn, Modeste, Petrovic, Goodwillie View full article

Rovers and Sunderland go into the break after an even first half that saw few chances for either side. Neither side has managed to get on top, although Rovers have perhaps looked slightly more threatening going forward thanks to the pace of Hoilett and Olsson. Yakubu nearly gave Rovers the lead only minutes into the match when his effort was cleared off the line by Bardsley when it looked as though the Nigerian had opened the scoring. Olsson then forced Mignolet into a save when getting off a shot from a tight angle and Hanley then wasted a good chance when he failed to get his header on target when he found himself unmarked eight yards out. Sunderland rarely ventured into the Rovers penalty area, but did look dangerous from several corners and Kyrgiakos has proved a handful from set-pieces. View full article

Steve Kean has stuck with the same eleven that beat Wolves last time out, but the bench has been strengthened by the return of Givet, Dunn and Orr. Blackburn Rovers Robinson, Lowe, Dann, Hanley, Martin Olsson, Pedersen, Nzonzi, Hoilett, Marcus Olsson, Formica, Yakubu Substitutes: Bunn, Givet, Orr, Dunn, Modeste, Petrovic, Goodwillie Sunderland Mignolet, Bardsley, Bridge, Turner, Kyrgiakos, Larsson, Gardner, Vaughan, McClean, Campbell, Bendtner Substitutes: Gordon, Kilgallon, Colback, Meyler, Elmohamady, Wickham, Ji Dong-Won View full article

Rovers picked up a crucial win and moved three points clear of the relegation zone thanks to a well-earned win against relegation rivals Wolves. Hoilett scored both goals as Rovers looked comfortable throughout and kept their first clean sheet of the season. Wolves started the better, but Rovers soon found their way into the match and began to control the match as Formica ran things for Rovers in midfield, supported by the pace of Olsson and Hoilett. Despite Rovers being on top it was Wolves who went close to taking the lead when Ward blazed wide from close range when he looked almost certain to score after Rovers had failed to deal with a cut-back. With the half drawing to the close, Rovers got the goal that their good play deserved when Davis could only flick on Pedersen's long throw and Hoilett slid in to connect sweetly with the half-volley and leave Hennessey with no chance in the Wolves goal. Rovers have been guilty of sitting back and attempting to defend leads on several occasions this season, but they continued to push forward in the second half and the result was put beyond doubt when Hoilett picked up the ball 30 yards away from goal and advanced toward goal before firing a low left-footed drive into the bottom corner from 25 yards. The Canadian was playing like a man possessed and continued to trouble the Wolves defence as Rovers looked for a third and comfortably saw out the match. Robinson was practically untested in the Rovers goal and did not have to make a save until the 90th minute, seeing out the match for Rovers' first clean sheet in 30 matches, a run that stretches back to April 20th. View full article

Rovers lead 1-0 at Molineux thanks to Junior Hoilett's fourth goal of the season. The relegation "six pointer" has been unsurprisingly tense, but it has been the away side that shaded a close first half. Wolves started brightly, but Rovers soon found their feet and began to push forward with increasing confidence. Rovers' midfield began to control the game, with Formica at the heart of most of the away side's good play. Yakubu had a string of half-chances as Hoilett and Olsson's pace caused the Wolves' back four trouble, but it was the home side that should have taken the lead when Ward blazed wide when it looked easier to score. As the half drew to a close, Rovers won a throw-in and after Wolves failed to deal with Pedersen's long throw Hoilett slid in to volley the ball into the far corner. View full article

Rovers picked up a valuable point thanks to a resurgent second-half performance, but should be grateful that the game wasn't well out of sight by half-time. Villa started brightly and were quickly dominant as the home side struggled to get hold of the ball. Robinson was forced into several early saves, but could do little to stop N'Zogbia from scoring when the Frenchman picked up the ball on the edge of the box and slammed home a half-volley. Villa continued to push forward and N'Zogbia would have grabbed his second of the day had it not been for a fine save from Robinson. The end of the half was met by a chorus of boos, but it was Rovers who started the second half the best and pegged Villa back as they played with the pace and purpose that had been missing in the opening 45 minutes. Both sides had a string of half-chances, but the home side were clearly on top and Pedersen went closest to equalising when his shot from distance forced Given into a good save. It looked as though Rovers might be unable to make their pressure tell, but with only 5 minutes to play Orr put in a wonderful cross that was met by Dunn at the back post and the midfielder made no mistake. The goal seemed to wake Villa up and both sides pushed for a winner, but in the end neither could grab the winning goal. The point sees Rovers move two points clear of Bolton and Wigan at the bottom and stay level on points with Wolves and QPR, but they remain in the relegation zone on goal difference. View full article

Rovers trail at the break after what can only be described as a lacklustre performance. Rovers have failed to pose any real attacking threat and have allowed Aston Villa all the time and space that they could possibly need as the away side have dominated the match so far. N'Zogbia gave Villa the lead when he collected the ball on the edge of the area, and smashed his second touch past Robinson who had no chance in the Rovers goal. Villa continued to push forward and nearly went two goals up as the half drew to a close when Robinson produced a fine save to deny N'Zogbia. View full article

Rovers have slipped back into the bottom three as a result of a three-goal defeat away to Manchester City. The home side dominated proceedings and the result rarely looked in doubt and they collected the three points thanks to goals from Balotelli, Aguero and Dzeko. City got off to a quick start and carved out several half-chances and nearly took the lead when Balotelli's first-time shot forced Robinson into a smart save. The Rovers keeper did well to get a strong hand down to his left, but he could do little to stop the Italian from scoring in the 30th minute when Balotelli latched onto a low cross to finish from close range. Rovers could consider themselves lucky to go into the break only one down, but after the interval they persisted with the tactic of sitting back in an attempt to absorb the City pressure. City eventually doubled their lead in the 54th minute, but this time it was the result of poor keeping rather than quality attacking. Robinson flapped at a corner and, despite being under no pressure whatsoever, he could only push the ball straight to the feet of Aguero, who slammed the half-volley home. City continued to push forward and put the result beyond doubt when substitute Dzeko headed home from a few yards out. City comfortably saw out the final few minutes as Rovers were unable to switch out of a defensive mindset, with their approach of damage limitation ultimately proving futile. View full article

Rovers trail at the break following a first half dominated by Manchester City. The home side have controlled possession and spent the majority of the half camped in the Rovers half, with the away side yet to test Hart in the City goal. City had a string of early half-chances, with Balotelli forcing Robinson into a good save, but despite their near total possession and pressure they didn't open the scoring until the 30th minute when the enigmatic Italian finally found the net when neatly finishing from close range. Little changed after the goal and Rovers continued to sit deep in an attempt to absorb the City pressure, leaving Yakubu stranded on his own up-front. View full article

Arsenal hammered Blackburn Rovers 7-1 in today's early kick-off. The home side took the lead only 80 seconds into the match and added the 7th just before the final whistle whilst dominating virtually every minute of the game in-between. Van Persie scored a hat-trick, Chamberlain added two and Henry and Arteta both chipped in with a goal each. Pedersen scored for Rovers, curling in a wonderful free-kick that levelled the score at 1-1, but that was the only positive for the away side in what was an entirely forgettable performance that saw their goal difference drop below that of relegation rivals Wolves. To add to the embarrassment of conceding seven goals, Rovers also had Givet sent off in the first half for a two-footed challenge on Van Persie. Rovers can have few complaints about the result as they were torn apart by an Arsenal that combined incisive passive with clinical finishing. View full article

Rovers look dead and buried at half-time following an opening period that the home side has dominated. Arsenal have constantly looked threatening going forward and have been camped in the opposition half for the majority of the match, with Rovers' misery being compounded by the sending off of Givet. Arsenal took the lead only 80 seconds into the match when Van Persie latched on to Walcott's pass after Rovers had failed to properly clear the initial cross. The move was all-too-simple for Arsenal and provided an early indication of how the half was to progress. Rovers struggled to get any time on the ball and Arsenal continued to push forward, but it was the away side that got back on level terms after Modeste was fouled on the edge of the box. Pedersen stepped up to take the free-kick and curled a beautiful effort into the top corner. That goal seemed to encourage the Rovers players, but only minutes later Arsenal retook the lead when Walcott once again got in behind Olsson and the winger was left with the simple task of squaring the ball to Van Persie for the Dutchman to tap in. Arsenal soon doubled their lead when Chamberlain latched on to a Van Persie pass and the winger calmly rounded Robinson and slid the ball into the net. The move once again saw a Rovers full-back beaten by a fairly simple pass, with this time the culprit being new signing Orr, who had come on for the injured Lowe. Things went from bad to worse for Rovers when Givet's reckless two-footed tackle on Van Persie saw the defender receive his marching orders. Arsenal nearly added to their lead on the stroke of half-time when Vermaelen hit the post after a cross had somehow made its way through a mass of bodies. View full article