Sunday September 18th 2005
BLACKBURN ROVERS 0 NEWCASTLE UNITED 3
Blackburn: Friedel, Neill, Khizanishvili, Nelsen, Gresko (Jansen 76), Savage, Mokoena (Tugay 67), Reid, Pedersen, Bentley (Kuqi 67), Bellamy.
Subs Not Used: Emerton, Enckelman.
Newcastle: Given, Carr, Boumsong, Taylor, Babayaro, Faye, Bowyer, Clark, N'Zogbia, Shearer (Bramble 74), Owen.
Subs Not Used: Elliott, Harper, O'Brien, Brittain.
Ewood Park holds 31,367 yet the place was only two-thirds full (20,725) for the return of ex-manager Graeme Souness and his proposed battle with ex-Toon star Craig Bellamy. Is this due to SKY TV showing the game; ticket prices; or simply a match that didn't mean much to those in this Lancashire back-water? Whatever the reason, I can promise you there was a damn site less Rovers fans at the final whistle as they trooped away fighting for the exits.
All eyes were on Souness and Bellamy following their much publicised summer spat, but the pair never made eye-contact and did their best to avoid each other. However Blackburn and Bellamy could not get off the field quick enough at the final whistle, but Souness was ready for Bellamy and he stood in his path and made the striker shake his hand..
Shearer struck the back of the net from a free-kick when I don't think goalkeeper Owen Brad Friedel had an anxious moment for an hour, then in the 68th minute Owen effectively sealed the points and suddenly the gloom was lifted.
Even Steven Taylor's late sending-off for two bookable offences could not spoil Souness' day as Charles N'Zogbia wrapped up victory with three minutes to go to leave Rovers and Bellamy down and out.