Blackburn Rovers 3 Norwich City 0

Last updated : 12 February 2005 By Footymad Previewer
A brace from Paul Dickov and a stunning solo goal from Morten Gamst Pedersen gave Blackburn Rovers their best win of the season and opened up an eight-point gap over Norwich City.

Rovers were aided by a couple of goalkeeping blunders from young England hopeful Robert Green, but there was no denying the Lancashire side's right to the points.

Ironically had it not been for a couple of brilliant saves from Green late on, Rovers could easily have doubled their goals tally.

In the days leading up to the game there had been clear problems between the two managers with Norwich boss Nigel Worthington accusing Rovers of bully boy tactics.

It was no surprise then that the Rovers boss wore a very satisfied grin come the final whistle.

It was a relief for Hughes after his team had lost three successive Premiership games by a single-goal margin.

In Pedersen and Dickov, Blackburn simply had too much threat for a Norwich side for whom conceding plenty of goals is a habit that could ultimately cost them their place in the top-flight.

Blackburn meanwhile looked good enough to stay up.

Ironically it was Norwich who had the better of the opening few minutes with the dangerous Darren Huckerby shooting over the bar from a good position and Damien Francis forcing Brad Freidel into a smart save.

Rovers finally got their game together to get the scoring underway on 17 minutes with a wonderful effort from Pedersen.

Tugay sent over a glorious 40-yard pass which Pedersen controlled with his head to sidestep a defender before rifling in a right-foot shot which was simply too hot to handle for Green.

Norwich replied and should have equalised six minutes later when Jim Brennan completely missed his kick in front of an open goal when set up by Huckerby.

How Norwich were made to pay when on 37 minutes Blackburn increased their lead with Pedersen this time providing the ammunition with an inswinging left-foot corner from which Dickov got the faintest of touches to fox Green and put the game out of Norwich's reach.

Blackburn, through Dickov's endeavour and Pedersen's ability to go past a defender, constantly posed problems for the visitors who looked a beaten side going in at half-time.

The game as a contest was over on the hour when Dickov collected a pass from Paul Gallacher to try a speculative shot which slipped through Green's fingers for a goal of embarrassing proportions for the Norwich keeper.

Blackburn smelled more goals in the offing and went in search of inflicting more punishment and Gallacher had a shot saved under the bar by Green after one of many flowing moves.

Green then made a magnificent double save to keep out last-minute shots from Steven Reid and Gallacher.

With Rovers pouring forward there was even an opportunity for skipper Andy Todd to try to get in on the scoring act.

The defender, who rarely crosses the halfway line, tried his luck from 30 yards and was within inches of a fourth.

Rovers fans have suffered a disappointing year in terms of home results, but this will go some way to making amends.

In Pedersen they have one of the most improved players in the Premiership and someone for whom many good judges are forecasting a great future.

Man of the Match: Paul Dickov - Two in a game for the first time for Rovers to take his season's tally to nine for one of the most hard-working players in the Premier League.