Blackburn 2 Coventry 2 - FA Cup 5 - 14/02/2009
Blackburn 2 Coventry 2 - FA Cup 5 - 14/02/2009
Blackburn Rovers: Paul Robinson, Stephen Warnock, Christoper Samba, Kerimoglu Tugay (Keith Andrews 65), David Dunn (Keith Treacy 70), Roque Santa Cruz, Zurab Khizanishvili, Carlos Villanueva, Gael Givet, Danny Simpson, Jason Roberts (Benedict McCarthy 77)
Subs: Mark Bunn (GK), Ryan Nelsen, Vincenzo Grella, Arran Doran
Subs not used:
Booked: Christoper Samba, Zurab Khizanishvili
Goals: Roque Santa Cruz 2, Christoper Samba 90
Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Daniel Fox, Elliot Ward, James McPake (Scott Dann 45), Isaac Osbourne, Aron Gunnarsson, Michael Doyle, Guillaume Beuzelin (Leon Best 52), Jordan Henderson, Clinton Morrison, Freddy Eastwood
Subs: Marcus Hall, Robbie Simpson, Kevin Thornton, Ashley Cain
Subs not used:
Booked: Guillaume Beuzelin, Freddy Eastwood, Leon Best
Goals: Aron Gunnarsson 61, Michael Doyle 76
Attendance: 15053
Referee: S Tanner
Teamtalk
Christopher Samba's dramatic late equaliser kept Blackburn's FA Cup dream alive as Rovers snatched a 2-2 draw with Coventry at Ewood Park.
Samba struck deep in stoppage time to force the ball home after stand-in goalkeeper Andy Marshall had fumbled a shot from substitute Keith Treacy at the end of an entertaining fifth-round tie.
Marshall, who had replaced Keiran Westwood, taken ill in the warm-up, was distraught at the end.
Coventry had looked on their way to the quarter-finals but instead had to settle for a replay.
Blackburn got off to a perfect start and made the breakthrough against the Championship side after two minutes.
Roque Santa Cruz rifled a shot into the corner from an acute angle following a flick-on from Samba.
It was the fifth goal of the season by the Paraguay striker, who looked to be on his way to Manchester City in the transfer window.
Blackburn rejected a number of bids and although Santa Cruz's long-term future is unclear, he will see out the season at least.
Coventry were stung by that early blow but responded 10 minutes later when Jordan Henderson made space down the right. He sent a shot across the face of the goal and beyond Paul Robinson but wide of the post.
It was Blackburn, however, who looked in control and were dominating possession.
Jason Roberts then got into a good position only to send a half-volley wide of the post.
Blackburn looked dangerous every time they broke forward and David Dunn picked out Carlos Villanueva in the 31st minute but he failed to test Marshall.
However, Coventry should have drawn level a minute later following Daniel Fox's flighted free-kick.
Aron Gunnarsson peeled away from his marker but from in front of the posts he delivered a header closer to the corner flag than the goal.
Santa Cruz then came close to adding a second in the 40th minute after a fine cross from Villanueva, only to find the side netting with his shot.
Coventry again found themselves on the back foot two minutes later when Santa Cruz weighed up his effort from 25 yards, but it whistled past the post.
Marshall earned his corn in the 49th minute by turning Villanueva's free-kick around the post after it had taken a deflection off the wall.
The lower league side suddenly stepped up the pressure and drew level on the hour mark with a stunning strike from Gunnarsson.
He latched on to a clearance from Gael Givet, took one touch and thundered a shot into the roof of the net from 20 yards.
It was a goal out of nothing and more than made up for his wayward header in the first half.
Gunnarsson was growing in confidence and carved out a chance in the 65th minute but his effort cleared the bar.
Givet thought he had regained the lead for Blackburn three minutes later but his effort was ruled out for an infringement.
Coventry maintained their grip on the game and took the lead in the 75th minute to stun the Premier League strugglers.
Michael Doyle's instinctive effort came off Samba and looped over stranded goalkeeper Robinson.
Eastwood should have added a third six minutes later but sent a close-range shot wide of the post.
Samba grabbed a dramatic equaliser in stoppage time by taking advantage when Marshall spilled substitute Treacy's effort and Coventry boss Chris Coleman was left cursing his luck.
CCFC
Coventry City were just three minutes away from an FA Cup quarter final place at Ewood Park after their superb second-half comeback display was spoilt by Chris Samba's injury-time equaliser for Blackburn Rovers.
Roque Santa Cruz handed the hosts a second-minute lead but City came back with second-half strikes from Aron Gunnarsson and Michael Doyle.
Samba spoilt the party for City's 5,000 travelling fans though after poking home from a goalmouth scramble in the second of five injury-time minutes in a cruel twist of fate for the Sky Blues.
Santa Cruz lived up to his reputation as a dangerous hitman when in just the second minute he picked up a ball on the corner of the six-yard area and fired a tight-angled shot past Andy Marshall.
But for Rovers' early opener though, the Sky Blues enjoyed most of the attacking play for the first 20 minutes.
Jordan Henderson and Freddy Eastwood produced dangerous back-to-back crosses after nine minutes and Henderson also went close with a shot three minutes later.
Doyle picked out the 18-year-old with a crossfield ball which the teenager brought down well with a great first touch, then lashing a half volley across the face of Paul Robinson's goal and just wide of the far post.
Jason Roberts had a chance to double Rovers' lead after 20 minutes, flicking a bouncing ball over Isaac Osbourne's head but fluffing his half-volley wide of the goal.
David Dunn also had an effort from a similar angle to the opener saved by Marshall.
But City had a great chance to get level just after half an hour, Danny Fox's free kick floated into the area for Aron Gunnarsson who directed his unmarked header wide of the post infront of goal.
Coventry also had a minor let off five minutes before the break when Fox was dispossessed by Villanueva who cross quickly for Santa Cruz who could only push his shot wide of the Andy Marshall's near post.
City came out looking the stronger of the two sides in the second half though, Henderson poking a shot just over the bar five minutes after the restart.
But Chris Coleman's side were level on the hour when Gunnarsson opened his scoring record for the Sky Blues in fine style with a 25-yard half-volley past Paul Robinson.
The temporary delay of game brought on by a pitch invader donning a cupid costume probably resulted in the five minutes of added time.
However, soon after the invader was apprehended, Michael Doyle broke for the Sky Blues and fired a half-volley from the corner of the area which took a deflection and looped over Robinson with 15 minutes to go.
It was all City up until the 90th minute when the announcement of added time spurred on the hosts at which point they peppered the City box with deliveries and never managed to capitalize from one goalmouth scramble which was poked away by Coventry.
But they made the most of the second scramble straight after, Samba running onto a loose ball on the six-yard line to fire home and earn Blackburn a replay.
Blackburn Rovers: Paul Robinson, Stephen Warnock, Christoper Samba, Kerimoglu Tugay (Keith Andrews 65), David Dunn (Keith Treacy 70), Roque Santa Cruz, Zurab Khizanishvili, Carlos Villanueva, Gael Givet, Danny Simpson, Jason Roberts (Benedict McCarthy 77)
Subs: Mark Bunn (GK), Ryan Nelsen, Vincenzo Grella, Arran Doran
Subs not used:
Booked: Christoper Samba, Zurab Khizanishvili
Goals: Roque Santa Cruz 2, Christoper Samba 90
Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Daniel Fox, Elliot Ward, James McPake (Scott Dann 45), Isaac Osbourne, Aron Gunnarsson, Michael Doyle, Guillaume Beuzelin (Leon Best 52), Jordan Henderson, Clinton Morrison, Freddy Eastwood
Subs: Marcus Hall, Robbie Simpson, Kevin Thornton, Ashley Cain
Subs not used:
Booked: Guillaume Beuzelin, Freddy Eastwood, Leon Best
Goals: Aron Gunnarsson 61, Michael Doyle 76
Attendance: 15053
Referee: S Tanner
Teamtalk
Christopher Samba's dramatic late equaliser kept Blackburn's FA Cup dream alive as Rovers snatched a 2-2 draw with Coventry at Ewood Park.
Samba struck deep in stoppage time to force the ball home after stand-in goalkeeper Andy Marshall had fumbled a shot from substitute Keith Treacy at the end of an entertaining fifth-round tie.
Marshall, who had replaced Keiran Westwood, taken ill in the warm-up, was distraught at the end.
Coventry had looked on their way to the quarter-finals but instead had to settle for a replay.
Blackburn got off to a perfect start and made the breakthrough against the Championship side after two minutes.
Roque Santa Cruz rifled a shot into the corner from an acute angle following a flick-on from Samba.
It was the fifth goal of the season by the Paraguay striker, who looked to be on his way to Manchester City in the transfer window.
Blackburn rejected a number of bids and although Santa Cruz's long-term future is unclear, he will see out the season at least.
Coventry were stung by that early blow but responded 10 minutes later when Jordan Henderson made space down the right. He sent a shot across the face of the goal and beyond Paul Robinson but wide of the post.
It was Blackburn, however, who looked in control and were dominating possession.
Jason Roberts then got into a good position only to send a half-volley wide of the post.
Blackburn looked dangerous every time they broke forward and David Dunn picked out Carlos Villanueva in the 31st minute but he failed to test Marshall.
However, Coventry should have drawn level a minute later following Daniel Fox's flighted free-kick.
Aron Gunnarsson peeled away from his marker but from in front of the posts he delivered a header closer to the corner flag than the goal.
Santa Cruz then came close to adding a second in the 40th minute after a fine cross from Villanueva, only to find the side netting with his shot.
Coventry again found themselves on the back foot two minutes later when Santa Cruz weighed up his effort from 25 yards, but it whistled past the post.
Marshall earned his corn in the 49th minute by turning Villanueva's free-kick around the post after it had taken a deflection off the wall.
The lower league side suddenly stepped up the pressure and drew level on the hour mark with a stunning strike from Gunnarsson.
He latched on to a clearance from Gael Givet, took one touch and thundered a shot into the roof of the net from 20 yards.
It was a goal out of nothing and more than made up for his wayward header in the first half.
Gunnarsson was growing in confidence and carved out a chance in the 65th minute but his effort cleared the bar.
Givet thought he had regained the lead for Blackburn three minutes later but his effort was ruled out for an infringement.
Coventry maintained their grip on the game and took the lead in the 75th minute to stun the Premier League strugglers.
Michael Doyle's instinctive effort came off Samba and looped over stranded goalkeeper Robinson.
Eastwood should have added a third six minutes later but sent a close-range shot wide of the post.
Samba grabbed a dramatic equaliser in stoppage time by taking advantage when Marshall spilled substitute Treacy's effort and Coventry boss Chris Coleman was left cursing his luck.
CCFC
Coventry City were just three minutes away from an FA Cup quarter final place at Ewood Park after their superb second-half comeback display was spoilt by Chris Samba's injury-time equaliser for Blackburn Rovers.
Roque Santa Cruz handed the hosts a second-minute lead but City came back with second-half strikes from Aron Gunnarsson and Michael Doyle.
Samba spoilt the party for City's 5,000 travelling fans though after poking home from a goalmouth scramble in the second of five injury-time minutes in a cruel twist of fate for the Sky Blues.
Santa Cruz lived up to his reputation as a dangerous hitman when in just the second minute he picked up a ball on the corner of the six-yard area and fired a tight-angled shot past Andy Marshall.
But for Rovers' early opener though, the Sky Blues enjoyed most of the attacking play for the first 20 minutes.
Jordan Henderson and Freddy Eastwood produced dangerous back-to-back crosses after nine minutes and Henderson also went close with a shot three minutes later.
Doyle picked out the 18-year-old with a crossfield ball which the teenager brought down well with a great first touch, then lashing a half volley across the face of Paul Robinson's goal and just wide of the far post.
Jason Roberts had a chance to double Rovers' lead after 20 minutes, flicking a bouncing ball over Isaac Osbourne's head but fluffing his half-volley wide of the goal.
David Dunn also had an effort from a similar angle to the opener saved by Marshall.
But City had a great chance to get level just after half an hour, Danny Fox's free kick floated into the area for Aron Gunnarsson who directed his unmarked header wide of the post infront of goal.
Coventry also had a minor let off five minutes before the break when Fox was dispossessed by Villanueva who cross quickly for Santa Cruz who could only push his shot wide of the Andy Marshall's near post.
City came out looking the stronger of the two sides in the second half though, Henderson poking a shot just over the bar five minutes after the restart.
But Chris Coleman's side were level on the hour when Gunnarsson opened his scoring record for the Sky Blues in fine style with a 25-yard half-volley past Paul Robinson.
The temporary delay of game brought on by a pitch invader donning a cupid costume probably resulted in the five minutes of added time.
However, soon after the invader was apprehended, Michael Doyle broke for the Sky Blues and fired a half-volley from the corner of the area which took a deflection and looped over Robinson with 15 minutes to go.
It was all City up until the 90th minute when the announcement of added time spurred on the hosts at which point they peppered the City box with deliveries and never managed to capitalize from one goalmouth scramble which was poked away by Coventry.
But they made the most of the second scramble straight after, Samba running onto a loose ball on the six-yard line to fire home and earn Blackburn a replay.
posted by SkyBlueSnowy at 9:44 pm
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