Emerton goal seals crucial win for Rovers

Blackburn 1 Charlton 0

Brett Emerton grabbed the goal that gave Blackburn Rovers a vital win over Charlton Athletic – only their second at Ewood Park this season.

Barry Ferguson and David Thompson combined to leave Emerton with a simple nod-in a the far post four minutes before half-time.

Brad Friedel pulled off a great save from Jonatan Johansson just before the break and Rovers had to hang on in the second half as Alan Curbishley’s men pressed hard for an equaliser.

But Rovers, who have now lost only one of their last six league matches, survived to claim three points to ease them away from the Barclays Premiership relegation zone.

A gruelling schedule of four games in nine days provided a challenge for managers Mark Hughes and Curbishley but they each only made one change in the wake of defeats against Aston Villa and Arsenal respectively.

Blackburn had Thompson making his first start since August while Johansson replaced hamstring victim Shaun Bartlett for Charlton.

Rovers had much of the early pressure and Paul Dickov was a constant threat to the Charlton defence with his probing runs.

The livewire Scot raced on to Jonathan Stead’s flick-on and unleashed a low shot that Dean Kiely did well to turn around the post.

From the corner Dominic Matteo headed down, Dickov’s header was stopped on the line by Danny Murphy before Kiely recovered brilliantly to save Stead’s follow-up.

Stead planted his header into the stand behind Kiely’s goal before Charlton finally mustered a shot, Dennis Rommedahl’s effort proving a comfortable save for Friedel.

Blackburn did get the goal their overall play merited and it arrived on 41 minutes courtesy of an excellent build-up.

Ferguson broke into the penalty area before cutting back for Thompson. His first-time cross was curled and Emerton had the simple task of nodding home at the back post for his fourth goal of the season and third in the league.

Charlton almost levelled matters on the stroke of half-time when Jerome Thomas’ shot was deflected into the path of Johansson eight yards out, but he was foiled by a great Friedel save.

Radostin Kishishev hit a decent shot from distance that narrowly flashed over Friedel’s crossbar on 51 minutes as Charlton went in search of an equaliser at the start of the second half.

At the other end Ferguson released Stead and his effort from a tight angle brought a good save from Kiely.

Charlton boss Curbishley then somewhat surprisingly removed the lively Thomas in favour of Paul Konchesky and reverted to a more orthodox 4-4-2 by bringing on Jason Euell.

On 66 minutes Thompson again tested the reflexes of Kiely as, after being fouled 30 yards out, he picked himself up and forced the ‘keeper into a diving save.

Emerton headed over from a Lucas Neill cross 10 minutes from time and Dickov drove wide two minutes later before Rovers brought on Paul Gallagher in place of Stead.

Rovers began to look nervous and Charlton piled on the pressure, peppering the home penalty area with crosses and forcing a succession of corners.

But Blackburn’s defence held firm under the bombardment with Matteo making a succession of no-nonsense clearances to keep the Addicks at bay.

Steven Reid replaced Thompson with three minutes remaining as Charlton’s hopes of salvaging a point began to ebb away.

Nils-Eric Johannson blocked Talal El Karkouri’s 30-yard effort at the expense of an injury time corner.

Danny Murphy took it and Bryan Hughes headed over the bar to squander Charlton’s last chance of a reprieve.

A second successive defeat for the Addicks left them in eighth place and dealt a blow to their hopes of European football.