Chelsea made to eat their words after stinging criticism

A win on the final day could have seen Rovers clinch a UEFA Cup spot under Ray Harford, on the defence of the Premier League crown, and they put in an excellent performance that was partly motivated by some unflattering pen pictures in the programme.

In the pen-pictures, goalkeeper Tim Flowers was ridiculed for a soft goal he conceded recently against Liverpool, winger Stuart Ripley suffered a jibe for his lack of goalscoring success, defender Chris Coleman was pilloried for his performance for Wales last week and diminutive Matty Holmes was described as “the only player who looks exactly like his Premiership figurine”.

Rovers boss Harford was bitterly disappointed that his side had been edged out of the final European spot, but understandably, a little bit peeved at the stinging comments about his players in an official publication.

But he was delighted with the way they had played and underlined: “They didn’t need any extra motivation after reading the programme.

“I thought it was scandalous really, but we won’t be taking it any further. It’s over as far as I am concerned. But it certainly wound the lads up.”

Flowers was saddened rather than infuriated by the comments, saying: “I don’t think there’s any need for that kind of thing. “It’s very disappointing really.”

Rovers took their revenge out where it mattered most, on the pitch, with another good performance – though that European place was snatched away in the closing minutes by events elsewhere.

Rovers finished seventh, after taking 13 points out of the last 15, but they would be left to reflect on a frustrating draw with Arsenal a week earlier as the result which ended their UEFA Cup hopes.

Neil Barnett, editor of Chelsea’s award-winning programme, defended the less than flattering write-ups, saying: “I’m not the author of the pen-pictures but it is my decision to pass them for the programme.

“OK they are a bit different from the normal flattery you find in other programmes, but it is a pity if Blackburn are upset. It is only meant as a bit of fun.”

Glenn Hoddle was taking charge of his final match in the Chelsea dugout, having been named as the successor to Terry Venables as England boss.

Rovers were his first opponents, three seasons earlier, his time in charge starting with a 2-1 defeat.

And Rovers ruined his leaving do by taking all three points, a deserved result given the display across 90 minutes.

Despite a topsy-turvy season, Rovers retained a remarkable unbeaten record against London clubs. At Ewood, they won five and drew once against the capital’s collection of top-flight clubs.

Away from home, they won three and drew three to make it six of the best on their trips to London. Having trailed to a Dennis Wise close-range finish, Rovers hit back within two minutes for Tim Sherwood to score on the break.

Jason Wilcox found Graham Fenton on the left and he put over a delightful cross, with Sherwood timing his run perfectly to plant a firm header past Dmitri Kharine.

Three minutes after half-time, it was a case of the Englishman, Irishman and the Scotsman making sure the joke was on Chelsea.

Wilcox and Jeff Kenna combined excellently on the left for the full back to cross to the far post where Billy McKinlay steamed in to score with a soaring header.

Eleven minutes later, Wilcox was again crucially involved. He played a cross-field pass with Paul Warhurst squaring the ball for Fenton to smash the ball home.

The news from elsewhere quickly confirmed there was not to be any last route to Europe for Rovers, with the game ending with John Spencer’s consolation goal.