Football story by Brian Watters, Mon, 17 Apr 2006 14:12:00 GMT


Robbie Fowler continued his fine run ever since he arrived at Anfield in January as Liverpool notched up a clinical 0-1 win over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park last night. The goal by Fowler in the 29th minute was a bit controversial though since Djibril Cisse could have been in an offside position, but was adjudged to be in the clear. This was Liverpool's sixth consecutive win and keeps them in the race for the second spot after Manchester United drew 0-0 with basement boys Sunderland.

The win also leaves Liverpool needing just one point to ensure that they qualify for next year's UEFA Champions' League. Blackburn's hopes of making it through to the same tournament suffered a major setback with yesterday's loss. Liverpool chose to leave Peter Crouch and Harry Kewell out of their line-up and were also without the services of their skipper Steven Gerrard who pulled out due to a tight hamstring.

The game was evenly balanced in the first few exchanges and Blackburn were slowly slipping into the rhythm before Fowler's controversial goal. Cisse was in an offside position, but it was Fowler who controlled the ball before passing it on to Morientes. The Spanish striker then returned the ball to Fowler who coolly slotted it past Brad Friedel.

Cisse could have doubled the lead, but Friedel blocked his shot. In the second half Liverpool were content to sit back and defend and all Blackburn's efforts were in vain and the Reds gave Benitez a fitting 46th birthday gift.

Blackburn boss Mark Hughes felt that the goal was not genuine, "In my view the decision was incorrect. Cisse was interfering with play as he made a move towards the ball. The decision changed the shape of the game and the rule is very unclear," he said.

"We stuck at it and tried to draw Liverpool out but they protected their lead and just went deeper and deeper." Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said the win was a team effort, "I was most pleased with the team spirit and our plan worked very well for us. We knew they had very quick players up front so we sat back and tried to hit them on the counter attack," he said. "You need to create the majority of chances in games like this and that is exactly what we managed to do."

Match Details
Referee: A Wiley (Staffordshire).

Blackburn: Friedel, Neill, Khizanishvili, Nelsen, Gray, Bentley, Savage, Reid, Pedersen, Dickov (Kuqi 67), Bellamy.

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Warnock (Kewell 69), Cisse, Sissoko, Alonso, Riise, Morientes (Kromkamp 81), Fowler (Luis Garcia 63).
Goals: Fowler 29.

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