Reid books Euro return for Rovers

Blackburn 1 Chelsea 0

The Blues’ last visit to Ewood Park ended in acrimony and angry words from Chelsea manager Mourinho as he lambasted Blackburn’s roughhouse tactics.

But those days are long gone at Rovers as a relegation battle last season has been replaced by a glorious campaign that will see the club competing in next term’s UEFA Cup thanks to a first-half goal from Steven Reid

Afterwards, Rovers boss Mark Hughes congratulated his players on a success he believes everyone at Blackburn has earned this season. “We are absolutely delighted. It’s been a huge effort by a lot of people,” he said.

“Sometimes you don’t get what you deserve in life – but tonight we have done for this season.”

Hughes is gratified by the progress his team have made since their tough times last year – and he is intent on even better to come.

“We need to keep moving forward,” he said.

“We came from a point last year where for a number of weeks we were rock bottom of the Premier League and were in danger of going down.

“This year we have built on the qualities we had to show last season. We are in Europe now and will try to progress as far as we can. European demands can have an effect on league form, but we will hope we can negate that.

“To beat great champions tonight is a great credit to everyone here.”

In part Mourinho paid the price for making eight changes to his side, although he cannot be blamed too after they clinched their second successive Barclays Premiership title on Saturday.

Blackburn failed to capitalise on Chelsea’s dishevelled nature, and it was not until the 25th minute that the fans from either side witnessed the first meaningful chance.

It was almost worth waiting for as Geremi picked up a loose ball on the right, turning inside Michael Gray before lining up his shot. However, the Cameroon international drilled a low drive inches past Friedel’s right-hand post 25 yards.

That at least stirred Blackburn into a response, and within three minutes they should have taken the lead.

Gray’s cross from the left was a piercing one into the edge of the six-yard box where Craig Bellamy beat Cudicini with a clever flick with the outside of his right boot, only for the ball to hit the bar.

The ricochet fell to David Bentley, but he attempted to be too precise with his four-yard header, steering it a yard wide when it appeared easier to score.

If Chelsea breathed a sigh of relief at that escape, Rovers followed suit in the 35th minute.

Geremi’s curling delivery from the right found Eidur Gudjohnsen who stretched out his left leg, but was denied by the left-hand post.

If Chelsea were frustrated at that point, there feelings doubled in intensity two minutes before the break, instigated by a booking for Geremi for handball.

From 10 yards inside the touchline and the by-line down the left wing, Robbie Savage whipped in the free-kick, with Reid getting the faintest touch to glance the ball home.

The second half was at least more passionate, sparked by a right-foot volley from Gudjohnsen that Friedel turned aside 50 seconds after the restart, while Savage was denied by a sprawling stop from Carlo Cudicini.

Then there were the penalty shouts at various stages, but Bennett turned them all aside, notably substitute Aaron Mokoena’s shirt pull on Crespo that was the most clear-cut of the trio.

Friedel also pulled off a flying stop from Joe Cole to preserve the eventual victory, and guaranteed sixth place in the league.

BLACKBURN: Friedel, Reid (Mokoena 72), Khizanishvili, Neill, Gray, Bentley, Savage, Tugay (Peter 85), Pedersen, Sinama Pongolle (Kuqi 85), Bellamy.

CHELSEA: Cudicini, Geremi (Carlton Cole 77), Ricardo Carvalho, Gallas, Del Horno (Duff 45), Maniche, Diarra, Lampard, Wright-Phillips (Joe Cole 64), Crespo,

Gudjohnsen.

Referee: S Bennett (Kent).