Premiership: Chelsea hold Rovers at bay

HT Blackburn 0 Chelsea 0

Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini was forced into two fine first-half saves as Blackburn went gunning for the victory which would take them closer towards securing Premiership status for next season.

In an entertaining start it was Eidur Gudjohnsen who had the first chance after six minutes, the Iceland international striking a sweet right-foot shot from 20 yards just beyond Brad Friedel’s right-hand post.

Blackburn swiftly countered with Cole initially outpacing John Terry, wearing a bandage to protect 12 stitches in his forehead after colliding with a post in the game with Everton.

But as the ball ran on, the angle proved too great for Cole, although his drive still managed to strike the outside of Carlo Cudicini’s left-hand post.

Terry was on hand, though, to mop up moments later after Cudicini had superbly beaten away a powerfully-angled 12-yard drive from Damien Duff.

It was Chelsea’s turn to then stride forward soon after, but the normally-reliable Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink struck a left-footer past Friedel and ultimately past the left-hand post as well.

Midway through the half Chelsea looked poised to break the deadlock when Hasselbaink stole a march towards the goalline, drilling a low cross through the six-yard box for the awaiting Mario Stanic, only for Stig Inge Bjornebye to whip the ball off his toes.

Cudicini had to be at his best after watching his defence part two minutes later to allow Lucas Neill to curl in a stunning shot with the outside of his right boot from 15 yards, but the Italian was at full stretch in pushing the ball away.

With Blackburn looking the more likely side to score, it was Keith Gillespie with the next chance in the 34th minute, the winger allowed to run at the Blues defence only to finish with a shot straight at Cudicini.