Blackburn Rovers 3, Huddersfield Town 1

Sep 22 2005 By Mel Booth, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Turning point:

THE moment referee Lee Probert didn't blow for a foul on Andy Booth and allowed Danny Schofield advantage in the 11th minute.

Schofield lost the ball almost immediately and Brett Emerton played a one-two which allowed Craig Bellamy to score his first goal for Blackburn. It was just the lift the home side needed

How they rated:

Paul Rachubka Made a fantastic save to deny Emerton's header and smothered bravely at feet of Bellamy. Did well despite the score Rating: 7/10

Andy Holdsworth Caught pushing forward for the first goal but was solid overall and supplied a couple of great crosses, especially for Abbott Rating: 7/10

Danny Adams Did a reasonable job keeping Bentley quiet and was involved in some promising build up play pushing forward Rating: 7/10

John McCombe Could not have done much better against Bellamy and Co in his first start of the season. Some top clearances Rating: 7/10

Nathan Clarke Some timely tackles and made a brilliant clearance in the six yard box to prevent Dickov scoring late on Rating: 7/10

Danny Schofield His touch let him down for two crucial half chances which could have given Town a vital lift on the break Rating: 7/10

Jon Worthington Had a tremendous tussle with Savage and Tugay. Worked hard, made decent breaks and close with a drive Rating: 7/10

Tony Carss Back on the ground where he started his career and he grafted. Fired one shot wide when others were clear Rating: 7/10

Junior Mendes Handed a first start since April but couldn't make the necessary impact on the right against Michael Gray Rating: 6/10

Andy Booth Held the ball well on his return to the starting line-up and linked some promising attacks. Gave Rovers problems Rating: 7/10

Pawel Abbott Scored a clever goal and close on a couple of other occasions with quick thinking to match the top-flight opposition Rating: 8/10

Spotlight on the ref:

A BIT fussy and not helped at all by his sorry assistants, but Lee Probert got about the pitch well and the Bristol official was certainly close to the action when making his decisions.

Turned down loud appeals for a penalty for handball in the second half, after allowing an unfortunate advantage before Rovers' first goal

Blackburn Rovers: Friedel; Neill, Gray (Mokoena 83); Nelson, Zurab; Bentley, Tugay, Savage, Emerton (Pedersen 70); Dickov (Kuqi 86), Bellamy. Subs not used: Reid, Enckelman (Gkp)