Davis late blow serves as a lesson for Rovers

Jansen 6 - Saha 45, Davis 90

ROVERS boss Graeme Souness has repeatedly warned his players to expect the odd punch on the nose as they pursue their dream of a Premiership return.

But even he couldn't have foreseen the way in which Sean Davis administered a killer knockout blow to settle this clash of the First Division's heavyweights on another night of high drama at Ewood.

Rovers had called virtually all the shots during the course of an action-packed 90 minutes as Jean Tigana's men were left reeling by the first half sending off of Rufus Brevett.

But as they went for the jugular in a frantic finale, Davis suddenly popped up to deliver the ultimate sucker punch just seconds before the bell to leave Rovers out for the count.

It was the cruelest possible way to bring down a proud unbeaten home record stretching back to mid-November.

But, though clearly shell-shocked by the chain of events, Souness was big enough and brave enough to take it on the chin.

"I deliberately tried to make the post match press conference as brief as possible because I didn't want to sound like I was making excuses," said the Rovers boss.

"But the bottom line is it was just one of those nights. You ask your team to give you 100 per cent and I got that tonight but it just wasn't to be.

"Lady Luck wasn't with us and to lose the game in the manner we did was a real, real kick in the teeth.

"But we've got to get over that. That's football and that's life.

"It wasn't our night but I've been in football a long time, I've had nights like that before and, unfortunately, I'm going to have them again in the future.

"It's how we deal with that punch on the nose which is important now."

After being outclassed at times during the first bout at Craven Cottage back in October, Souness and his players clearly had a point to prove ahead of this rematch.

All the hype in the build-up to the game had a big-fight feel as members of the Rovers camp spoke candidly about showing who was the best team in the League.

And for 45 magic minutes they were as good as their word after Matt Jansen's early header had put them firmly in the driving seat.

When Brevett then got his marching orders for taking a petulant swipe at Garry Flitcroft the visitors appeared to be on the ropes.

But suddenly Fulham were handed a lifeline when Louis Saha struck a psychological blow right on half-time after profiting from a freak collision involving Brad Friedel and Henning Berg.

And, despite being pinned in their own half for long spells in the second half, they successfully absorbed everything Rovers could throw at them before delivering a painful parting shot of their own.

"We conceded that first goal at a bad time," said Souness.

"It was a bit of bad luck and a bit of bad play.

"But they are two experienced international players and no-one means to make mistakes.

"That could happen at any given time.

"Brad's an excellent cross-taker and Henning's an excellent centre half who reads situations well.

"The two of them just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Full of confidence after Saturday's impressive victory at QPR, Rovers roared out of the starting blocks and the Champions-elect found it difficult to live with their high-tempo approach.

Jansen nearly drew first blood inside the opening 46 seconds when he escaped his marker to connect with an Alan Mahon cross but his header flew wide of the far post.

However, the former England Under 21 international wasn't to be denied as Fulham's reprieve lasted just four more minutes.

David Dunn swept a pass out to Keith Gillespie on the right and the rejuvenated winger whipped over a peach of a cross for the unmarked Jansen to head home his 20th goal of an increasingly productive season at the far post.

That knocked the stuffing out of the visitors but Rovers then lost some of their momentum when Damien Duff limped off with a hamstring injury in the 13th minute.

From that point on they didn't carry the same attacking threat down the left although Jansen could have had a second from Mahon's left-wing cross but headed tamely at keeper Maik Taylor.

Fulham, for their part, offered little going forward and their chances of extending their lead at the top of the table appeared to have nosedived when Brevett was ordered off by referee Clive Wilkes in the 41st minute after aiming a kick at Flitcroft.

But then they were suddenly gifted a goal out of nothing in first half stoppage time when Friedel spilled Steve Finnan's cross after clattering into Berg and Saha gobbled up the loose ball in a flash.

Clearly stung by that setback, Rovers turned up the heat after the break as Jansen was foiled twice by Taylor from great positions before Flitcroft then blazed over after a Finnan header had dropped invitingly on the edge of the box.

However, Fulham still posed problems on the break as Saha fired a warning when he forced a smart save out of Friedel.

And, as Rovers went in search of a late winner, they struck with a classic counter-attack deep into injury time.

Bjarne Goldbaek sprayed a ball out to Lee Clark on the left who cut inside and unleashed a shot which struck Berg and looped into the path of Davis who gleefully steered it past Friedel.

That sparked wild celebrations among the visiting fans in a scene reminiscent of the promotion parties staged by Charlton and Manchester City at Ewood last season.

Now Souness must dust his troops down and ensure they can set the record straight in the Premiership next season.