Blackburn Rovers 1 Hull City 1

Last updated : 23 August 2008 By Footymad Previewer
New Blackburn Rovers boss Paul Ince's reign at Ewood Park started with a draw after two goals in two minutes cancelled the two teams out.

After timing his run to perfection, Jason Roberts opened the scoring for the home side with a composed finish, but Richard Garcia earned a plucky Hull side a point with a well-placed header moments later.

Before the game, Ince named an unchanged side following last weekend's dramatic opening day win at Everton, while Phil Brown made two changes to the team that defeated Fulham, with midfield duo George Boateng and Nick Barmby replaced by Fagan and Dean Marney in the starting line-up.

After a slow start, Rovers soon started to take control and on 11 minutes, following a huge kick from Paul Robinson, Roque Santa Cruz's attempted control fell kindly for Steven Reid, who lashed the ball straight into the arms of Boaz Myhill.

On 20 minutes, a free-kick into the Hull box was cleared to Morten Gamst Pedersen, but his snapshot whistled just past the post.

But after a period of dominance, the best opportunity to break the deadlock fell to the visitors.

Marlon King carved open the Rovers defence, but Marney chose the wrong option when he attempted to pick out Fagan in the centre.

As the half-time whistle approached, the game sprung to life with two goals in as many minutes which left both defences appealing for offside.

On 38 minutes, Reid supplied a delightful through ball to Roberts, who took his time before firing past Myhill from close range.

But almost straight from the restart, Fagan delivered a cross to the back post and the unmarked Garcia sent a looping header over Robinson and into the far corner of the net.

Just like the first half, the second took time to get going as 20 minutes had elapsed before Marney fired over the bar.

Straight up the other end, Rovers were appealing for a penalty when Santa Cruz's shot took a clear deflection off the arm of Michael Dawson, but referee Stuart Attwell - the youngest ever Premier League official - waved play on.

Santa Cruz was starting to come alive and on 75 minutes the Paraguayan striker was almost celebrating his new four-year deal in style, but his crisp strike flew narrowly over the bar.

Substitute Caleb Folan and Sam Ricketts both tested Robinson in time added on as both sides preserved their unbeaten starts.