Match Report - Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Manchester United

Competition: Premier League
Kick-Off & Date: 12:45pm, Saturday, 14th May 2011
Venue: Ewood Park, Blackburn (Away)
Attendance: 29,867


Manchester United secured their Barclays Premier League 'Champions' status on Saturday, as The Red Devils did enough by drawing 1-1 with Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park. The result makes United the most successful football club in English domestic league history, as Wayne Rooney's second-half emphatic penalty strike cancelled-out Brett Emerton's 20th minute goal, which had put The Riversiders in control of the game...

Sir Alex Ferguson rested Edwin Van Der Sar, as Tomasz Kuszczak took the reins in-goal. Captain Nemanja Vidic knew whatever the result, he would only lift the Premier League trophy at Old Trafford against Blackpool next weekend. The Serbian defender was partnered by Rio Ferdinand, while Fabio Da Silva and Jonny Evans started either side of the centre-halves, in the wake of injuries to John O'Shea and Patrice Evra.

Antonio Valencia and Luis Nani were placed on the wings, while Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick were paired in midfield. Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez and Wayne Rooney led the charge in attack. United started well in the opening stages, and within minutes, Nani was unlucky not to have opened the scoring as his header hit the crossbar from Rooney's tantalising cross, with Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson well beaten. 
 
Christopher Samba fired over the bar from close range, but it wasn't long before The Rovers were celebrating. Martin Olsson collected a ball which appeared to have crossed the byline, squaring it to David Hoilett who in-turn picked-out Brett Emerton inside the box for the Australian to knock the ball past Kuszczak with ease. The Polish keeper was looking the worse for wear, but there was little chance of any goalie preventing the goal.

Steve Kean's men had been out-passed, out-crossed and out-classed, but nonetheless the scoreline was in their favour. Sir Alex Ferguson wasn't looking to pleased, but the 8,000+ travelling support were still in good spirits about the imminent title glory. Javier Hernandez nearly fooled Robinson when shooting as he faced away from goal, but The Red Devils were finding it increasingly difficult to get under Blackburn's skin...

Chicharito then went through on goal, but was stopped in his tracks - Nani had a go at the rebound, but sent it over the stadium rooftop. Literally. Olsson came close from Michel Salgado's cross, before Kuszczak escaped conceding a goal when he hesitated with his clearance, this coming after Vidic had to come to the rescue following another mix-up when the 29-year-old stopper changed his mind as he was about to pick-up the football !
 
The second-half saw Blackburn attempting to exploit Kuszczak's nerves, but it was Nani and Giggs who tested the defence first. The introduction of Paul Scholes for Fabio Da Silva was a sign of Sir Alex getting impatient, but he had to sit through another near-miss for the home side when Olsson headed against The Reds' post. It was a let-off for the visitors, one that would come back to haunt Blackburn Rovers. 
 
Giggs spotted the run of Chicharito, who knocked the ball past Robinson before the goalkeeper clumsily clattered into the little Mexican striker. There wasn't much to dispute about the blatant penalty, but referee Phil Dowd insisted on consulting his linesman before making a decision. The outcome was Dowd pointing to the spot. Wayne Rooney kissed the ball as he stepped-up, then smashing it into the left corner of the net to gain a crucial point.

Rooney's powerful strike sent the 'Darwen End' of the stadium into chaos, while hundreds of millions of Manchester United fans worldwide no doubt celebrated the 24-year-old's title-race clincher. How ironic it was that the same footballer handing in a transfer request half a year ago should score the goal that won the world's biggest club a record-breaking 19th domestic league title. Well, they do say anything can happen in football !

With Blackburn in no hurry to over-commit, the game petered out in the last 15 minutes. Nani could have added to the scoreline following a majestic cross from Rooney, but the Portuguese winger failed to hit the target. Dimitar Berbatov replaced Nani, and - as usual - the Bulgarian forward added composure to Fergie's Red Army. Dowd's final whistle ignited jubilant scenes on the pitch, in the stands, in pubs and homes across the world.

'We've done it !' was the general feeling. After 24 years, Sir Alex has claimed his 12th Premier League title - finally knocking Liverpool off their perch, and making Manchester United most decorated English footie club in history with a tally of 19 league crowns. The wait is over, let's celebrate... Saturday is the pinnacle party: 76,000 fans packed into Old Trafford to watch The Red Devils lift the Premier League trophy at full-time against Blackpool. What a feeling !


Champ19ns: Take a bow lads, take a bow. 

United Team: Tomasz Kuszczak, Fabio Da Silva (Paul Scholes '62), Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans, Antonio Valencia, Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick, Luis Nani (Dimitar Berbatov '81), Javier Hernandez, Wayne Rooney.

Goals: Rooney '73

• Video Highlights: Blackburn 1-1 United