Tottenham Hotspur 3 Rovers 2

Last updated : 05 March 2006 By Footymad Previewer
Robbie Keane capped a memorable week by scoring twice and setting up another to maintain Tottenham's push for the Champions League.

Keane was named as the new Republic of Ireland captain on Tuesday before scoring the following night against Sweden.

And after signing a new four-year deal for Tottenham on Friday, Keane proved his worth at White Hart Lane with a match-winning display.

Resilient Blackburn, who started the game just three points below Tottenham, clawed their way back from 2-0 down before Egyptian striker Mido was on hand to grab the winner 20 minutes from time.

The home side started brightly and Keane took just nine minutes to show some individual brilliance.

He picked up Mido's quick throw to flick the ball over first Robbie Savage and then Andy Todd before volleying in from close range.

Tottenham pressed and Savage had to be on hand on 27 minutes to clear a dangerous low cross from Mido.

But the visitors grew in confidence as the first half went on and Florent Sinama-Pongolle blew a golden chance to level.

Former Arsenal midfielder David Bentley's left-wing cross picked out Ryan Nelsen at the far post who knocked down for Sinama-Pongolle to somehow miss the ball completely with the goal gaping.

They were made to pay four minutes before half-time but it was hard luck on Blackburn keeper Brad Friedel.

Mido's free-kick from the right-hand edge of the area was superbly palmed away by the Blackburn keeper but only into the path of Keane, who despite the apparent use of his right hand, poked home his second of the afternoon and his 10th of the season.

But Blackburn's pressure did finally pay off seconds before the break when they caught the Tottenham defence napping.

Craig Bellamy latched onto Brett Emerton's pass down the right and he crossed for the unmarked Sinama-Pongolle to head in from six yards.

After the break, Blackburn continued to ask questions of the Tottenham back four in search of an equaliser.

And it was a Bentley 35-yard thunderbolt that almost level matters just after the hour. Savage took a quick free-kick and Bentley let fly from distance only to see Paul Robinson equal to the task with a fine one-handed save.

But the visitors' persistence finally paid off on 67 minutes with Sinana-Pongolle returning the first-half favour for Bellamy. After Ledley King failed to clear, Sinama-Pongolle found space down the right to cross for Bellamy to convert from eight yards.

Tottenham, however, took just two minutes to restore their lead with Keane again involved.

His precise pass played in sub Aaron Lennon down the right and he centred for Mido to squeeze the ball in at the far post.

Blackburn kept digging in and were denied a memorable equaliser in injury time by the woodwork.

Lucas Neill swung in a hopeful cross and full back Michael Gray rose highest only to see his header hit the crossbar and go over.