Rovers on brink of safety

Blackburn Rovers all-but guaranteed Premier League football for next season after a 2-0 win over Portsmouth.

Pedersen and McCarthy goals see Blackburn hit 40 points

Blackburn Rovers all-but guaranteed Premier League football for next season after a 2-0 win over a toothless Portsmouth at Ewood Park. Morten Gamst Pedersen had put Rovers ahead with the first half's only highlight before Benni McCarthy converted from the spot to ensure Sam Allardyce's brief of leading the club to safety is almost complete. Rovers took the lead with the game's first shot on target after 31 minutes when the hosts capitalised on some hesitancy from Pompey keeper David James. Makeshift striker Christopher Samba nodded down Stephen Warnock's cross and, after James failed to collect the loose ball, Pedersen stabbed home from close range. Samba had a goal disallowed early in the second half before McCarthy put the game beyond Pompey's reach on 58 minutes when converting from the spot after his pass had been handled by Hermann Hreidarsson. Substitute John Utaka had Pompey's two best chances as he firstly was denied by Ryan Nelsen after rounding Rovers keeper Paul Robinson following Kanu's fine through ball. Utaka then steered a late penalty over the crossbar following a handball by Keith Andrews as Pompey still wait to confirm their survival.

Difficult conditions

With the rain teeming down and conditions difficult, Portsmouth goalkeeper James took no chances in the 11th minute, punching clear an inswinging corner from El Hadji-Diouf. Blackburn were having the majority of possession and carved out a good chance in the 29th minute when a clever backheel from McCarthy released Stephen Warnock. He played the ball across the face of the area but Diouf was unable to take advantage. However Blackburn made the breakthrough a minute later following a moment of indecision from James. He was beaten to the ball by Samba following a cross from Warnock and it broke to Pedersen, who forced it home. Portsmouth, however, came close to equalising in the 43rd minute when Hreidarsson got on the end of a free-kick from Sean Davis only to head narrowly wide of the post. Blackburn hit back and almost extended their lead two minutes into the second half following a long throw from Pedersen. Samba flicked the ball on and Warnock rifled in a volley, only to see Younes Kaboul get a vital touch. Blackburn kept up the pressure and Pedersen whipped in a 35-yard free-kick that James tipped over the bar. Samba, who was making a nuisance of himself, then found the net but his effort was ruled out for an infringement. Blackburn, however, extended their lead in the 58th minute when Hreidarsson handled as McCarthy clipped the ball into his path. McCarthy sent the penalty into the corner to take his tally for the season to 13 goals with his third in five games.

Risen to challenge

The South African has risen to the challenge in the absence of Roque Santa Cruz and Jason Roberts through injury. It was no more than Blackburn deserved and Portsmouth again found themselves on the back foot in the 63rd minute but Samba headed wide following a cross from Pedersen. Portsmouth suddenly stepped up the pace and sub Jermaine Pennant clipped a shot wide of the post in the 71st minute after being released by Peter Crouch. Five minutes later they pressed forward again and Nelsen did well to scoop away sub Utaka's effort. The skipper could not conceal his anger at some sloppy play by his side, which allowed Utaka the opening. Utaka then squandered a glorious chance of pulling a goal back in the 87th minute when he sent his penalty high over the bar. The spot-kick was awarded after Andrews was adjudged to have handled the ball when Kanu played it in. That summed up a miserable day for Portsmouth, who may be safe but have got out of the winning habit.

Blackburn Rovers	Team Statistics	Portsmouth
2	Goals	0
1	1st Half Goals	0
3	Shots on Target	1
3	Shots off Target	4
6	Blocked Shots	4
4	Corners	3
21	Fouls	14
6	Offsides	0
2	Yellow Cards	1
0	Red Cards	0
69.3	Passing Success	74.2
14	Tackles	16
71.4	Tackles Success	81.2
50.7	Possession	49.3
52.2	Territorial Advantage	47.8