Rovers late show stuns Spurs

Blackburn scored two late goals to ease their relegation worries with a 2-1 victory over Tottenham at Ewood Park.

McCarthy and Ooijer find target in dramatic 2-1 win

Blackburn scored two late goals to ease their relegation worries with a 2-1 victory over Tottenham at Ewood Park. Robbie Keane opened the scoring for Spurs in the 30th minute after a controversial decision by referee Peter Walton, who pointed to the spot after Aaron Lennon's cross hit the arm of defender Gael Givet. Harry Redknapp's men controlled the match for long periods but were unable to grab a second goal and were then reduced to 10 men on 80 minutes when Wilson Palacios was sent off for a second bookable offence. Blackburn, who had rarely threatened, capitalised on their numerical advantage almost immediately as Benni McCarthy turned home a sliced pass from makeshift frontman Christopher Samba. Spurs then failed to defend a corner two minutes from time and their six-match unbeaten run came to an end as Andre Ooijer poked the ball home from close range.

Good start

El-Hadji Diouf should have got Blackburn off to a good start but sent his header wide following a cross from Morten Gamst Pedersen in the 11th minute. It was a half-chance and Diouf would have been expected to test the goalkeeper from that range. Play switched back down the other end and Ledley King flicked a header wide after Luka Modric had swung in the corner. Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson then did well to parry a shot from Darren Bent to safety in the 18th minute after a fine through ball from Palacios. It was developing into an open game and Blackburn launched a swift counter-attack four minutes later. Diouf made space inside the area but saw his effort blocked by Benoit Assou-Ekotto, who was well positioned at the post. Blackburn were forced to make a change in the 26th minute after Pedersen took a knock and was replaced by David Dunn. Tottenham were showing plenty of attacking intent and Vedran Corluka cut into the area a minute later, only to send his effort wide of the post.

Breakthrough

They did not have long to wait, however, before making the breakthrough. Keane took his tally for the season to 10 goals in the 29th minute when he scored with a cool penalty. Blackburn captain Ryan Nelsen protested that the ball was not on the spot but referee Walton would have none of it. The penalty was awarded after Givet was adjudged to have handled a cross from Lennon. Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce made an extraordinary change at half-time. He took off Jason Roberts, pushed central defender Samba into attack and brought on Ooijer. The gamble paid off with Samba making a nuisance of himself in his unlikely new role. He won a header in the penalty area after 47 minutes but Diouf sent his effort over the bar. Diouf then tried to pick out Samba at the back post but goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes made the interception. There was a moment of danger for the home side in the 65th minute when Jermaine Jenas made space in the area but there was no-one on hand to get on the end of his cross.

Dramatic twist

McCarthy should have pulled Blackburn level in the 75th minute when he headed wide following a cross from Diouf. Four minutes later the game took another dramatic twist with Tottenham midfielder Palacios sent off after collecting two yellow cards in the space of two minutes. Blackburn took advantage and McCarthy scored his 11th goal of the season from close range in the 81st minute after being set up by Samba. Warnock's shot was turned over in the 87th minute by Gomes. But the goalkeeper failed to deal with Diouf's corner and Ooijer was on hand to fire home.

Blackburn Rovers	Team Statistics	Tottenham Hotspur
2	Goals	1
0	1st Half Goals	1
4	Shots on Target	3
5	Shots off Target	6
3	Blocked Shots	2
5	Corners	7
14	Fouls	10
6	Offsides	5
1	Yellow Cards	0
0	Red Cards	1
60.2	Passing Success	71.6
31	Tackles	16
71	Tackles Success	87.5
45.1	Possession	54.9
48.1	Territorial Advantage	51.9