Blackburn Rovers – Bolton Wanderers

1. Join us at 2000 GMT for a huge relegation battle as Blackburn take on Bolton. This could be vital for the futures of Messrs Kean and Coyle.

2. <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/1113/stevekeanoutposters20111113_275x155.jpg"><br>There are those who want Steve Kean out.

3. Michel Salgado has revealed a worrying <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/999244/michal-salgado:-blackburn-can%27t-afford-to-play-me?cc=5739" target="_blank">state of affairs for Blackburn</a> after saying they can't afford to have him play.

4. Some early team news for you and it's Blackburn's defence that worries: Lowe, Samba, Hanley and Pedersen.

5. Bolton are going out to attack with Davies, Petrov, Klasnic and N'Gog in forward roles.

6. Blackburn team: Robinson, Samba, Lowe, Hanley, Pedersen, Dunn. Formica, Nzonzi, Vukcevic, Yakubu, Hoillett.

7. Bolton: Jaaskelainen; Steinsson Cahill Knight Alonso; M Davies Muamba Reo-Coker Petrov; Klasnic Ngog.

8. Join me <a href="http://twitter.com/joncarterESPN" target="_blank">@joncarterespn</a> for tonight's game. The stats favour Kean as Blackburn have won six and lost just one of the last nine Premier League meetings with Bolton.

9. Think it might be a draw? Well Bolton are the still first team ever to go 16 games from the start of a Premier League season without drawing a game.

10. It's a pretty big deal for survival, this game. One of these two teams will be bottom of the table on Christmas Day and only one team has occupied that position and survived in the last 19 seasons. Any guesses who?

11. It was West Brom in 2004-05. Interestingly, Blackburn?s home record and Bolton?s away record are identical this season (W2 D0 L6).

12. So, it's probably not going to be goalless as both keepers have conceded over 70 goals between them already. The managers spoke of 'courage' and 'passion' pre-game. It may be more than that.

13. Bolton will really fancy this as Jason Lowe and Morten Gamst Pedersen line up in the full-back slots. Home turf may count for little tonight.

14. The Trotters have consigned Keven Davies to the bench and, for some reason, started with David N'gog. Junior Hoilett is a man to watch for the Rovers up front as he returns.

15. 1'

    <B>KICK-OFF</B> Here we go...

16. 1'

    Bolton pressing early on and Blackburn are on the backfoot already. Their defence faces a tough night's work.

17. 2'

    Nervy stuff from Lowe and Samba is doing his best to marshal his troops.

18. 2'

    The most blatent push I've ever seen from a high ball from N'Gog. That won't win his side any possession.

19. 3'

    Dunn does well down the left, but it's been all Bolton so far. Samba and Yakubu up for the long throw.

20. 3'

    Knight does well challenging with Samba. Two giants fight for the ball, but the Bolton man comes out on top.

21. 4'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Mark Davies smashes home after pressure in the box from Bolton.

22. 4'

    Great work from Reo-Coker as he forces Robinson into a save. Samba fails to clear and N'Gog finds Davies in the box as he dribbles wide and smashes it low.

23. 5'

    Robinson was beaten fairly centrally and there were plenty of defenders back now. It's all Bolton now and there's a lot of work to be done from Rovers.

24. 6'

    Vukcevic tries to get Blackburn going and crosses for Yakubu, but it flies over his head.

25. 7'

    Well that was a pacey start and a great one for the Trotters. It was their first real attack and Rovers' defence opened.

26. 8'

    Cahill cleans up from a long aerial ball and Samba collects. The big defender tries to dribble again, but is beaten to the ball.

27. 9'

    Samba in the box again and tries to muscle his way in when the ball drops. Bolton are struggling with him at the moment, but the ref blows up for a foul.

28. 10'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Tough tackle by Formica, who does look quite a lot like Kaka.

29. 10'

    Bolton can swing it in...

30. 10'

    It flies over everyone and Lowe stabs it away.

31. 11'

    The ball skids across the box and N'Gog lays it back to Reo-Coker on the egde who hammers a shot which is deflected over.

32. 11'

    Hanley just manages to hold off N'Gog who was coming in at the back post. Good strength from the defender there.

33. 12'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Lowe now into the book as he hauls down a breaking Petrov.

34. 12'

    That's two in the book already for Blackburn. Nervy times.

35. 13'

    Blackburn calm things down and try to play the ball around. They can't keep possession though.

36. 14'

    Lowe looked like he was going to throw it long with Samba, etc up, but he played it short and then lost the ball. Oh dear.

37. 15'

    Jaaskelainen clears the ball under pressure. That might be the first time he has touched it.

38. 16'

    Samba is going mad at the ref as he stops Klasnic. Seemed fair, but the whistle went.

39. 17'

    This has suddenly turned very scrappy indeed. Neither team seems capable of holding onto the ball. Or even make a pass...

40. 18'

    Reo-Coker tries a long ball to N'Gog, but Samba cuts it out. A little ambitious from where he was.

41. 19'

    Lowe charges down Petrov and then leaps forward to try and get onto it. Cahill comes across though and sticks the ball in row Z.

42. 20'

    Blackburn pressing and Yakubu does well in the box. This is a better period for the home side at the moment.

43. 21'

    Rovers are controlling the game more now, but there is precious little quality from the final pass.

44. 22'

    Pedersen hoofs the ball up the pitch. Not quite the pinpoint accuracy he usually brings from the flanks, but then he is playing at full-back tonight.

45. 22'

    Samba surges forward from the back, but gesticulates wildly as no-one comes to meet him. Where are all the attacking players for Blackburn?

46. 23'

    Steinsson is put away down the right by Davies. His cross is blocked though. A good touch from the goalscorer to get Bolton on the front foot.

47. 24'

    The ball is whipped in again from Petrov. It deflects off Hanley and goes out for another corner.

48. 25'

    Good play from Formica to win the ball back and then he almost gets Hoilett away. If only that had been a little stronger.

49. 26'

    Petrov delivers again and Cahill is beaten to the ball. Klasnic chases down and does the splits as he reaches for it. Very agile, but that looks like he might have hurt himself.

50. 27'

    Hopefully not the same injury as Scott Dann suffered.

51. 28'

    Great control from Yakubu as the ball drops, but can't get Vukcevic in. Bolton are still having trouble with the Nigerian who is putting himself about a bit.

52. 30'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Reo-Coker scores after a neat one-two with Petrov.

53. 30'

    He started the move off as he slid Petrov in down the left. Then the ball comes in, behind Reo-Coker, who traps it, turns, and then slips it into the corner.

54. 30'

    A chorus of boos ring out. No surprise that 'Kean out' is the cry.

55. 31'

    Now 'Stand up if you want Kean out.' Erm... there's quite a few people standing.

56. 32'

    Bolton picking Rovers apart now. They are completely in control and really have only troubled Robinson's goal twice.

57. 33'

    'There's only one Keano' is the latest cry. It's from the Bolton fans.

58. 33'

    As bad as this is for Kean, a certain Mr Coyle is beaming like a madman.

59. 34'

    Best chance of the match for Blackburn goes begging. Hoilett runs at the defence and slips it to Vukcevic. He hammers a shot wide of the near post when he should have put it across goal.

60. 35'

    Hoilett has had little impact, but Rovers need him to start running at his opponents to get them going.

61. 36'

    Alonso bursts away and N'Gog picks it up in the box. Hanley throws himself at the shot to block it at the last moment.

62. 37'

    Klasnic loses out and Formica robs him. He's miles away from the opposition goal though and the attacking midfielder has hardly had a chance to get into the box.

63. 39'

    Knight misses his header and it skids through, but Jaaskelainen comes out and claims with ease before Yakubu can get near him.

64. 40'

    Hoilett gets another chance to run, but Alonso is there to cut him off. A few moments of pressure from the Rovers, but they need to make it count.

65. 41'

    Well, it appears the entire stadium has one view. And that view is 'Kean out'.

66. 42'

    Half-time simply cannot come soon enough for the Blackburn boss.

67. 42'

    Dunn charging around and puts a tackle in on Reo-Coker. A good bit of pressing, but Rovers will need a lot more than that.

68. 44'

    Jaaskelainen does very well to a smashed backpass from Knight. Goalkeeper juggles and then slides it away before Yakubu can get there.

69. 44'

    Hoilett cuts inside and tries to smash it into the top corner. It balloons over the bar.

70. 45'

    One minute remains.

71. 45'

    Yakubu and Lowe try to combine but again the quality is poor. And surely that's the end of the half...

72. 45'

    <B>HALF-TIME: Blackburn 0-2 Bolton</B> It has been a nightmare for Rovers as Davies and Reo-Coker sent the Trotters on their way. Chants of 'Kean out' will be heard louder if something doesn't change.

73. <i>Catch action from every Barclays Premier League match on your mobile for <b>FREE</b> on the enhanced <a href="/news/story/_/id/941526/enhanced-espn-premier-league-goals-app---now-free">ESPN Goals</a> app (UK only). </i>

74. While you're clicking on things, <a href="http://www.espn.co.uk/espnsoccernet/11-for-11/" target="_blank">why not vote for your team of 2011.</a> Yes, it's XI for '11.

75. In case you've managed to miss the news of the night by reading this comm, Luis Suarez has been handed <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/999477/luis-suarez-banned-for-eight-games-by-fa?cc=5739" target="_blank">an eight match ban</a> and he's also been fined £40k for racially abusing Patrice Evra.

76. <i>Stat attack: </i>Bolton are the only side that have not dropped any points after going ahead this season in the Premier League.

77. Blackburn come out a bit early but we'll have to see how Kean's teamtalk has effected them. Boos are still ringing around the ground.

78. 46'

    <B>KICK-OFF</B>. Blackburn start us off again...

79. 46'

    A huge 45 minutes for Blackburn and for Steve Kean. Lose by more and he could be sacked tonight.

80. 46'

    Good start as Pedersen and Dunn crash into each other.

81. 47'

    So far the Rovers tactic appears to be 'smash it long'. Which doesn't seem a lot different to that of the first half.

82. 48'

    Hoilett runs at the defender and cuts it back inside to Nzonzi on the edge of the box. It misses the net by a foot, that was very very close.

83. 49'

    Not the man that Rovers fans would have thought would get them back to it, and it wasn't. But it was close.

84. 50'

    Hoilett again impresses and gets the ball in to Yakubu who steps over it and Formica just didn't read it. Bolton almost opened up there.

85. 51'

    Knight and Jaaskelainen almost get into trouble. Bolton looking nervy and Rovers have definitely come out the better side.

86. 52'

    Reo-Coker trying to get Bolton going and a few passes are being put together. Confidence coming back as they remember that they are 2-0 up.

87. 54'

    The corner from Petrov bounces inside the area... Steinsson was just being held off by Hanley otherwise he would have had a free shot.

88. 54'

    Muamba gives the ball away, and Hoilett runs at the defence. There are three Rovers players back and Alonso does well to track him into safety.

89. 55'

    Hanley gets back, but Reo-Coker should have done a lot better as there was so much space to get N'Gog free.

90. 56'

    Alonso is down injured and looks badly injured. He's coming off and Steinsson is going mad for some reason. Think he wanted the ball put out.

91. 57'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Alonso off, Robinson on.

92. 57'

    Hoilett gets the ball across and Knight is there again with a great header to get it clear. He's been very impressive at the back for Bolton, especially in the air.

93. 59'

    Pedersen throws long again and Reo-Coker hammers it clear. They are certainly trying Route One.

94. 59'

    Bolton break and they have a three on two. N'Gog does awfully there to fail to get the ball across. Terrible pass.

95. 60'

    Scramble in the box but Blackburn are unable to get it in. Davies breaks for Bolton and it almost finds N'Gog who dives in but can't reach the ball.

96. 61'

    Blackburn get everyone back and try to stem the flow. It really is end to end stuff now.

97. 62'

    Hanley gets a great last ditch tackle in on Klasnic as the ball breaks to him. He was through, but the defender hooked the ball clear.

98. 63'

    The cheers from Bolton fans come now. Bolton are popping the ball around and it's looking safe again.

99. 64'

    A great ball over the top finds N'Gog, and Reo-Coker is chasing up as well. Hanley does well to get back and stop both of them.

100. 65'

     Yakubu traps the ball with his back to goal, spins and has a go, but can't connect and falls over.

101. 65'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Formica off, Goodwillie on.

102. 65'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Vukcevic off, Rochina on.

103. 66'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Yakubu prods the ball home after a delightful ball from Hoilett.

104. 66'

     What a ball from Hoilett. The weight of the pass was perfect and Cahill was too close to Yakubu, who turned and went through on goal.

105. 67'

     Rovers fans have something to cheer about at long last.

106. 68'

     Now the pressure is on. Blackburn attack and Dunn has a crack from 25 yards. Just can't get enough on it and it spins wide.

107. 69'

     Can Rovers come back and get something? A draw would even be seen as a great result now.

108. 69'

     Petrov drives his cross in and Hanley blocks N'Gog off. No penalty and Bolton still look dangerous on the counter.

109. 71'

     Rovers keep hitting it long and pressing the defenders as they try and clear. They look visably lifted from the goal.

110. 71'

     N'Gog has fallen badly and looks like he may have tweaked his left ankle. Tuncay is warming up.

111. 72'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> N'Gog off, Tuncay on.

112. 73'

     Hoilett gets away down the left and cuts it back. It finds Dunn who blasts a shot that is blocked. Tuncay's first contribution is to foul Klasnic and Dunn lines it up.

113. 74'

     Jaaskelainen catches with ease. Dunn will be disappointed with that.

114. 74'

     Bolton committ players forward and Blackburn can counter. Goodwillie goes down in the box under a tackle from Robinson but the ref says no penalty.

115. 75'

     Pedersen's cross is half blocked but it lands at the feet of Yakubu. He blasts it and it deflects just past the top corner.

116. 76'

     Jaaskelainen punches clear from a cross and Bolton are under pressure.

117. 76'

     But Bolton break. It's three against two again and Petrov squares past Robinson for Tuncay, no Reo-Coker, and neither can get there.

118. 77'

     Dunn tries to thread it to Yakubu, who reacts and has a right go at his team-mate. Not the time for handbags lads!

119. 78'

     Tuncay is full of energy and is causing problems up front. Petrov smashes a ball in towards him, but Robinson claims just in front of his feet.

120. 79'

     Jaaskelainen's poor clearance is picked up and Hoilett has a go which flies over the bar.

121. 80'

     Hoilett is such a danger when he is running at the defenders. Blackburn need much more of that.

122. 81'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Klasnic off, Pratley on.

123. 81'

     A defence move from Coyle as striker is replaced by midfielder. Needs to tighten up and hold on for the win.

124. 82'

     Rochina takes it down well and makes space for the shot. But it's disappointing when it comes.

125. 83'

     Yakubu looks frustrated up front as a lot of the long balls are not falling for him. More quality needed.

126. 84'

     Yakubu holds it up and spins it to Hoilett. He runs to the byline and gets it across the box. No-one at the back post though.

127. 85'

     Robinson tries to get Blackburn going. They need some magic in the final minutes.

128. 86'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Dunn goes into the book for a cynical tackle on Reo-Coker and he seems to have come off worse.

129. 87'

     Pratley takes it into the corner and Bolton's tactics are obvious. Hold!

130. 88'

     Huge kick from Robinson gives Blackburn some territory, but Kean is a worried looking man on the sidelines.

131. 89'

     Yakubu and Nzonzi link up, but the balls flies into the hands of Jaaskelainen and it's safe. Samba has now gone up to play centre-forward.

132. 89'

     Robinson punts it long. Samba flicks on, but there's no-one there and he does not look happy about that.

133. 90'

     Four minutes to go...

134. 90'

     Knight heads away for the upteenth time. He has been immense in the middle for Bolton.

135. 91'

     Petrov tries to get away down the left and wastes some time with a foul on Lowe.

136. 92'

     Hoilett takes it down, shifts inside and bends a shot just past the post. Jaaskelainen was scrambling to get there.

137. 92'

     Kean hangs his head. That would have been a MASSIVE goal, but some fans are leaving already.

138. 93'

     Steinsson does well to track Hoilett after he was found from Nzonzi. Dunn overhits a cross and now Bolton can break.

139. 93'

     Great ball to Pratley and he's through. Just overhits it and it goes wide!

140. 93'

     The cross comes in from Rochina and it finds the head of Samba...

141. 94'

     Oh!! Just wide! It was inches away... and that will be the last effort of the game.

142. 94'

     <B>FULL-TIME Blackburn 1-2 Bolton</B> The Trotters are off the bottom and 7 wins in 38 games in 2011 is not good enough for Steve Kean. Bolton were the better side on the day.

143. Huge win for Bolton after five defeats in a row and they will not be a part of the Christmas Curse. Rovers sink, but were much better in the second half (Hoilett in particular). The boos ring out around the ground and 'Kean out' chants grow louder.

144. Owen Coyle looks a very, very happy man. That is a massive three points. Kean did not stay long enough to listen to his reception.

145. That's all from me tonight. We'll have more Premier League games in midweek, so stay tuned.

146. <i>Catch action from every Barclays Premier League match on your mobile for <b>FREE</b> on the enhanced <a href="/news/story/_/id/941526/enhanced-espn-premier-league-goals-app---now-free">ESPN Goals</a> app (UK only). </i>

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