Derbyshire denies Boro again

Substitute Matt Derbyshire grabbed Blackburn's equaliser as they claimed a fortunate 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough at Ewood Park.

Sub claims late leveller for Rovers

Substitute Matt Derbyshire grabbed Blackburn's equaliser as they claimed a fortunate 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough at Ewood Park. Derbyshire came off the bench on the opening day at The Riverside, his only other league goal this season, to score the winner against Boro and he was on target again to deny the Teessiders once more. Boro were bright throughout and took the lead after just 13 minuets when David Wheater headed home Stewart Downing's free-kick at the back post. The visitors then missed a glut of chances, with Tuncay Sanli and Jeremie Aliadiere the main culprits, as they failed to find a crucial second and they were made to rue their misses as Derbyshire stuck with just 15 minutes left. Even after Rovers levelled, Boro hit the bar through Wheater and Aliadiere headed over from five yards as Gareth Southgate's side showed just why their manager is looking for, and needs, to bring in a couple of new strikers. Middlesbrough went into the match one point off the relegation zone but made the perfect start.

Caught napping

They opened the scoring in the 13th minute from a set-piece that caught the home side napping. Wheater raced in on the blind side to get on the end of Downing's free-kick. Brad Friedel got a hand to the header but was unable to prevent it going into the net. Blackburn were stung and Roque Santa Cruz got little power on his effort four minutes later when he was picked out by David Bentley. Rovers pushed forward and a well-struck volley from Andre Ooijer in the 27th minute caught Schwarzer by surprise. However, the goalkeeper recovered just in time to push the ball around the post. Middlesbrough were looking well organised and content just to try to hit the home side on the break after taking the lead. Bentley was not having much luck and saw his free-kick from 25 yards sail into the crowd and Steven Reid then failed to get any power or direction on his header. Aliadiere suddenly sprung into action and almost added a second goal in the 52nd minute. He got into a good position in the penalty area but dragged his effort wide of Friedel's post. Tuncay then squandered a glorious chance for Middlesbrough two minutes later when he mis-hit his effort in front of goal. The Turkish forward was left red-faced after being released by Aliadiere. Middlesbrough were growing in confidence and Tuncay picked out Gary O'Neil in the 59th minute but Friedel was equal to his effort.

Anxious

Fabio Rochemback's thunderous free-kick from 25 yards then startled Friedel, who was just happy to make the block. This was an anxious spell for Blackburn, who were finding it difficult to create chances. It brought a change in personnel in the 65th minute when Brett Emerton and Derbyshire replaced Morten Gamst Pedersen and David Dunn. Wheater, however, almost got his second goal in the 69th minute when his header came back off the underside of the crossbar after a cross from O'Neil. Blackburn drew level in the 75th minute when Derbyshire scored at the back post. He took advantage after Jason Roberts had miscued his effort following a flick on from Santa Cruz. Bentley almost put Blackburn ahead in the 85th minute but Schwarzer managed to get a vital touch at the last moment before Aliadiere missed late on for Boro.

Blackburn Rovers	Team Statistics	Middlesbrough
1	Goals	1
0	1st Half Goals	1
5	Shots on Target	4
12	Shots off Target	6
0	Blocked Shots	3
7	Corners	3
8	Fouls	27
0	Offsides	1
1	Yellow Cards	3
0	Red Cards	0
76.6	Passing Success	60.2
18	Tackles	18
83.3	Tackles Success	83.3
59.7	Possession	40.3
52.8	Territorial Advantage	47.2