Stead goal continues Man Utd's rot

Blackburn 1 Manchester United 0

Jon Stead wrote another chapter in his fairytale season with a late winner to ensure Blackburn’s Premiership status and virtually end Manchester United’s hopes of finishing second in the table.

The 21-year-old produced a superb finish to beat an under-strength United and underline what a crucial matchwinner he has proved since signing for Blackburn from Huddersfield in January.

It was Stead’s sixth goal in 11 starts and with Chelsea beating Southampton, United will now have to settle for third place and having to qualify for the Champions League – though judging by Alex Ferguson’s team selection he already had.

Phil Neville and Nicky Butt as wide midfielders? Hardly wingless wonders, more a case of tunnel vision, especially with Darren Fletcher and David Bellion left on the bench.

The result was completely fair: Blackburn enjoyed the better chances, Andy Cole in particular showing some deft touches against his old club, and even earning a song of praise from the travelling fans to underline that this was generally a good-natured occasion.

The match was never negative – just that often the quality was missing. There was a bright start when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer almost caught Nils-Eric Johansson napping when he nipped in front of the Swedish defender to latch on to Ryan Giggs’ pass but he pulled his shot a yard past the upright.

Immediately afterwards Cole went even closer when Jonathan Douglas slipped him a ball wide on the left of the penalty area. Cole’s curler was heading for the corner until Tim Howard threw himself to tip it around the post.

Stead’s step-over earned himself space to go past Wes Brown and cross towards Cole but Mikael Silvestre made a vital interception to deny the former United striker.

There was another escape for United when Michael Gray made in-roads into the box and cut the ball back for Cole. Silvestre again got a foot in but this time the ball travelled to Garry Flitcroft unmarked 20 yards out only for the Blackburn skipper to slice his shot badly wide.

Cole did get the ball into the net, looping a shot over Howard, but he was a couple of yards offside.

Stead nearly added to his tally after excellent work by Cole to set him up but his low effort went a whisker the wrong side of the post.

Markus Babbel scooped over the bar after being surprised to see Tugay’s corner land at his feet, then Brad Friedel was forced into action to parry away Solskjaer’s driven cross.

Howard needed to be quick off his line to deny Stead after Cole had put his partner through, then Wes Brown needed all his pace to prevent Cole again getting a shot in.

Kleberson tried an acrobatic scissors kick from the edge of the box as United tried to force Blackburn back but his attempt was pretty hopeless.

With a minute of the half remaining Giggs, one United player who had looked full of running, won a free-kick 25 yards out on the left but Kleberson’s fierce drive was blocked.

The standard had been poor overall in the first half and with both managers sticking with the same line-ups after the break there was little prospect of immediate improvement.

Blackburn had the first attempt of the half when Lucas Neill’s deep ball sailed over the penalty and was met by Douglas but his header was easily fielded by Howard in the United goal.

The sense of lethargy afflicting the match increased. “All we are saying is give us a goal” sang the United fans during a particularly dire spell, though many in the stadium would have settled for a decent passing move and a shot on target.

The game woke up again in the 68th minute when Neill swung over a cross and Tugay struck a clinical volley back across goal but once again Howard came to United’s rescue with an excellent save. Johansson then headed over from the subsequent corner.

Tugay again tested Howard after more good work from Neill, then Stead tried his luck only to mishit his effort.

Ferguson brought on Bellion and Fletcher and United immediately looked a more threatening side.

And when Gary Neville picked out Giggs’ run and the Welshman slid in to make good contact a goal seem certain only for Friedel to pull off a terrific save low to his left.

But it was a Blackburn substitution that led to the breakthrough with five minutes left. Paul Gallagher came on for Cole and within seconds had created a goal.

The young Scot held up possession and played a wonderful ball inside Gary Neville and Silvestre allowing Stead to finish expertly, lifting the ball over Howard and celebrating in style.