Middlesbrough 1-2 Blackburn Rovers

Despite the result it was middlesbrough who dominated the play for much of the game, and deserved at least a draw out of the game.
It was Middlesbrough who started off the brighter side with Jeremie Aliadiere going close in the first 10mins, however Robbie Savage made a last ditch tackle to deny him a goal. The deadlock was broken on the half hour mark when Middlesbrough were awarded a free kick about 20-25 yards out, Stewart Downing converting the free kick through a gap in the Rovers wall and into the bottom left corner of Friedels net. And Middlesbrough continued to dominate the rest of the first with chances coming but not being able to convert them.
Blackburn did come out a little quicker in the second half but yet again Middlesbrough were creating the chances. However an awful injury to Benni McCarthy seemed to be Rovers saviour as it allowed new boy Roque Santa Cruz to come on as a sub and score the equaliser with an extremely good header, with the cross being provided from the right from David Bentley. And then on came Matt Derbyshire. After being only on the pitch for a number of seconds produced a world class goal that curled around Middlesbrough keeper Mark Schwarzer and into the back of the net, a goal fitting for a victory.
Middlesbrough continued to fight and press on and in the dieing minutes David Wheater had an effort saved on the line by a scrambling Friedel. Full time Middlesbrough 1-2 Blackburn Rovers.