Bullish Hughes still dreaming of Europe

MARK HUGHES insists Blackburn have not given up hope of securing European qualification.

Rovers’ dream of another UEFA Cup campaign faded a little further on Saturday with this costly draw and, with just five games to play and, with the next three against top-six sides, their hopes of reaching the Intertoto Cup are receding.

Hughes, however, is nothing if not an optimist. “We are still in the mix, we have got five games to go and are still challenging for things,” he said. “That’s where we want to be at this stage of every season.

“We are competing and want to be trying to achieve things right to the very last Sunday of every season. Villa have got difficult games, so have we, but it is up to us to just concentrate on what we can do.

“We have always done reasonably well at Anfield and I am sure United target Blackburn at Ewood as a key game in their run-in. We feel they will respect us as we will them.”

Hughes has strong faith in his team’s ability and feels they have already done themselves proud this term.

Mid-table Tottenham were tipped to challenge the top four at the start of the campaign and Hughes is pleased to see Rovers above them. The former Wales boss said: “We are competing with the likes of Tottenham, Villa, Manchester City.

“These are clubs with resources we can’t entertain but we have shown we can compete with them.

“We have taken four points off them (Tottenham) and taken points off the other teams around us.

“That is what we have to do but it becomes more difficult year in, year out.”

Blackburn had to come from behind for their point after Dimitar Berbatov tapped home his 22nd goal of the season from close range in the seventh minute.

It came following good work from Steed Malbranque, who threaded a fine ball for Jermaine Jenas to square for the Bulgarian in front of goal.

Blackburn’s equaliser on the half-hour was similarly well worked with David Bentley beautifully controlling a cross-field ball from Steven Reid, powering past Pascal Chimbonda and crossing for Morten Gamst Pedersen to finish.

BLACKBURN (4-4-2): Friedel 8, Ooijer 5 (Emerton 46, 6), Samba 6, Nelsen 6, Warnock 7, Bentley 7, Reid 6 (Mokoena 86, 5), Vogel 6, Pedersen 7 (McCarthy 73, 5), Santa Cruz 6, Roberts 6.

Subs Not Used: Brown, Derbyshire.

TOTTENHAM (4-4-2): Cerny 6, Hutton 6, Dawson 6, Woodgate 7, Chimbonda 6 (Gilberto 72, 5), Lennon 6, Jenas 6, Zokora 5, Malbranque 7 (Huddlestone 72, 5), Berbatov 6, Keane 5 (Bent 78).

Subs Not Used: Forecast, Tainio.

REFEREE: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire) 6: Annoyed Mark Hughes by refusing Blackburn a late penalty, although it was debatable.

MATCH RATING: *** Reasonable entertainment, with Spurs playing some slick football and Rovers battling hard.