Beattie condemns Rovers to another defeat

Southampton 2 Blackburn 0

Striker James Beattie heaped misery on his former club Blackburn by firing home a 58th minute free-kick to inspire Saints to a deserved Barclaycard Premiership victory at St Mary’s this afternoon.

The goal was richly deserved by the Saints marksman who threatened to score throughout the second half as Rovers’ encouraging performance before the interval evaporated alarmingly.

Graeme Souness’ men have now lost four games on the trot and their despair was heightened by the 65th minute sending off of Andy Cole following his participation in an unseemly brawl involving several players.

Referee Steve Bennett brandished the red card after Cole appeared to punch an opponent.

The fracas was totally unexpected as there had been no niggle in the match prior to the incident – in fact a dire first half needed some confrontation because there was little quality football on show.

Events livened up after the interval though, first through Beattie’s goal, then Cole’s red card, while substitute Leandre Griffit gift-wrapped the three points with a superb 86th strike – his first goal for the club.

Southampton included former Blackburn defender Graeme Le Saux in their starting line-up following his recovery from a hamstring injury but Chris Marsden – who has also just left the treatment room – could only land a place on the bench.

Beattie started up front, partnering Jo Tessem, while Blackburn named Lucas Neill among the substitutes following his suspension and a bout of pneumonia.

Blackburn shaded the opening exchanges with Cole threatening to make good use of Brett Emerton's floated cross, but the former Manchester United striker was unable to unleash his shot after controlling the ball.

Emerton was again in the thick of the action moments later when he gleefully scooped up a sloppy pass from Rory Delap before dashing to the byline, only for his subsequent cross to flash harmlessly out of defence.

Rovers old boys Beattie and Le Saux combined neatly down the left, winning a free-kick which Le Saux floated into the box to prompt a frantic goalmouth scramble that eventually saw Blackburn scramble to safety.

David Thompson proved a handful down the left in the 20th minute but his rushed pass was easily dug out by Saints’ rearguard as Blackburn continued to shade possession and territory.

Michael Svensson made his presence felt with a beautifully-timed tackle on Emerton, prompting a promising spell for the home side as they pushed forward to set up a chance for Beattie but he nudged his header wide of the post from an acute angle.

Le Saux was a menace on Rovers’ right flank, although his final pass left much to be desired as Saints – harried by their opponents at every opportunity - struggled to build any momentum.

A pair of corners from Le Saux saw Blackburn’s goal come under temporary siege but the set-pieces were easily dealt with as Gordon Strachan’s men continued to look toothless in attack.

However, they created space for Beattie in the 44th minute that the forward used to unleash a bullet pass across the face of goal which his strike partner Tessem failed to reach as Saints finished the half with a flurry.

The game livened up remarkably after the interval, Delap working his way into the box and unleashing a shot which Brad Friedel gathered up expertly.

Beattie went inches close with a header but could not be denied for long, rifling a 58th minute free-kick some five yards outside the area into the bottom left corner of the net to give Friedel no chance.

Blackburn’s problems deepened seven minutes later when Cole was sent off and Griffit then wrapped up the points four minutes before time when he took full advantage of an absent Blackburn defence to pick up the ball and fire home from outside the area.