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ROQUE Santa Cruz scored his 20th goal of the season as Blackburn Rovers took a deserved first half lead against title-chasing Manchester United.
The in-form Paraguayan bagged his fifth goal in six games in the 21st minute of a gripping first half to leave the league leaders stunned.
Determined to keep their European dream alive, Rovers began the game with real purpose and might have had a penalty inside six minutes.
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Paul Scholes gave the ball away on the edge of his own penalty area and Santa Cruz's shot was deflected straight to Jason Roberts, who suddenly found himself in on goal.
The striker took a touch and then appeared to be caught by United keeper Tomasz Kuszczak, but referee Rob Styles waved away Rovers' penalty appeals.
Mark Hughes' side then had a let-off themselves in the 11th minute when Carlos Tevez fluffed a golden chance to put United ahead.
Wayne Rooney outfoxed Ryan Nelsen on the right before whipping a low cross into the centre but, six yards out and completely unmarked, Tevez missed his kick and Chris Samba was able to smuggle the ball to safety.
That proved to be a costly miss as Rovers then snatched the lead 10 minutes later.
Morten Gamst Pedersen's long throw into the area caused confusion between Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic and the ball cannoned off Roberts straight to Santa Cruz, who made no mistake with a clinical finish from 10 yards out.
That lit the blue-touch paper for an explosive 20 minutes.
First, Cristiano Ronaldo fired in a testing free kick that brought the best out of Brad Friedel.
Then, at the other end, Kuszczak did even better to repel a 30-yard screamer from David Bentley.
Two minutes before the break, Friedel then excelled again when he palmed away a point-blank header from United dangerman Ronaldo.
Posted by: Jim Smith, Darwen on 6:10pm Sat 19 Apr 08
United dont look with it today.
This is Rovers best chance of beating them.
Rooneys head has gone.
I think United have one eye on Barcalona mid week.
Good to see Ewood sold out though.
United dont look with it today.
This is Rovers best chance of beating them.
Rooneys head has gone.
I think United have one eye on Barcalona mid week.
Good to see Ewood sold out though.
Posted by: pirarepaulp, Wiltshire on 1:25am Sun 20 Apr 08
Fergie needs to make 1 buy this summer, Mr Santa Cruz, the man is quality, and deffo worth 20m. There is the small matter of 3 clear penalties missed by the rubbish ref, but on the whole another point today and another point against Chelski, and that is it. Game over for another season. Title where it should be. Best team, best manager. By the way, isn't Hargreaves the business, and doesn Park work his arse off.
P
Fergie needs to make 1 buy this summer, Mr Santa Cruz, the man is quality, and deffo worth 20m. There is the small matter of 3 clear penalties missed by the rubbish ref, but on the whole another point today and another point against Chelski, and that is it. Game over for another season. Title where it should be. Best team, best manager. By the way, isn't Hargreaves the business, and doesn Park work his arse off.
Posted by: Billy Bandwagon, Driving thru the home counties! on 4:53pm Mon 21 Apr 08
[quote][bold]Simon[/bold] wrote:
Hargreaves i have to say was unbelievable today a top quality signing as usual absolutely battered yours boys both on the pitch and off it [/quote] 'Essex red'
ha ha let's all laugh at the glory hunter!
Simon wrote:
Hargreaves i have to say was unbelievable today a top quality signing as usual absolutely battered yours boys both on the pitch and off it
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