By Laura Slatcher Last updated: 3rd May 2008
Full time: It's all over at Ewood Park. Two goals from Santa Cruz have ensured Blackburn take all three points despite Derby opening the scoring in the first half.
90 - Added time: Roque Santa Cruz is unsurprisingly named man of the match at the ground. Just one extra minute will be played.
86 - Almost over: Blackburn should almost certainly hold on for the win now with just 5 minutes remaining in the game.
84 - Mears effort: McEveley finds Mears on the edge of the box, he strike doing little to trouble Friedel. It's been a quiet afternoon for the Blackburn keeper.
81 - Savage strike: Savage drives a free kick towards goal but his curled effort goes wide of the post.
78 - Blackburn substitutions: Olsson comes on for Pedersen. Derbyshire comes on for Roberts.
77 - GOAL!!! Santa Cruz flies in at the far post to meet a Bentley cross, his header going in off the post. His second of the game and his 19th in the Premier League this season.
73 - Santa Cruz shot: Blackburn's leading scorer shoots from 20 yards but Addison is the man in the way again for Derby.
72 - Substitution for Derby: Villa comes on for Lewis.
71 - Lively: Blackburn are pushing forward but haven't found their third goal. Can Derby nick it in the last 15 minutes? Get in touch with your thoughts at Laura.Slatcher@bskyb.com.
69 - No penalty: Derby are looking for a penalty after Miller is challenged by Warnock in the box. The referee waves away appeals and Blackburn are immediately on the attack.
66 - Tipped over: Blackburn have another corner after Carroll tips over Roberts' effort. Nelsen is the man to get on the end of the corner but he puts it just inches wide.
66 - Substitution for Derby: Sterjovski comes on for Ghaly.
63 - Dominance: Blackburn are dominating the game now, Tugay coming on has meant little chance of Derby intercepting the ball in the middle of the park. They're comfortably moving the ball around the midfield.
60 - Substitution for Blackburn: Tugay comes on for Vogel.
59 - Full of laughs: Savage is sent tumbling by Warnock, luckily the former Blackburn man sees the funny side.
58 - Fan hopes: Robert has been back on saying the final whistle can't come soon enough. There's plenty of time yet for things to get interesting in this game. James in the US thinks Derby will go and snatch a penalty up the other end?!
56 - Overhead kick: Roberts unleashes an overhead kick forcing Carroll into a brilliant outstretched save to his left.
55 - Couple more? Becky in Keele thinks Santa Cruz and Bentley will get second half goals for Rovers. Blackburn certainly look like they've gathered momentum into this second half.
53 - Handball appeals: Shouts of handball from the Blackburn players as Todd brings the ball down in the box. Rennie waves away all appeals. Looking at the replays it looks like a clear-cut penalty.
50 - Wise move? Just as Roberts slotted home Blackburn's second goal, Chris in Great Harwood emailed in to say Roberts should go off. At least you didn't put any money on it Chris!
47 - GOAL!!! Todd's attempted clearance finds Roberts who strikes it home past an unconfident Carroll. Derby's defending let them down there.
46 - Earnshaw shot: Earnshaw finds the ball drop nicely to him on the edge of the box but he immediately comes under pressure from Warnock and hits his shot wide.
Second half: The side's are back out here at Ewood Park. Will either side go ahead in the second half? Get in touch at Laura.Slatcher@bskyb.com.
Half time: Santa Cruz's late equaliser ensures Blackburn go in all square at the interval after Miller's 19th minute goal for the visitors.
45+2 - GOAL!!! Santa Cruz pounces on a saved shot after Carroll punches away Pedersen's long range effort. That's his fourth goal in his last four Premier League games.
45 - Well defended: Pedersen sends in a free kick towards Roberts but the Derby defence do enough to prevent him getting a shot away.
42 - Blocked: The ball eventually finds Earnshaw on the edge of the box but his shot is blocked by Warnock. Derby look the more likely to add another before half time.
41 - Derby woes: Chris in Bristol has emailed in saying Derby are showing too late in the season that they actually know how to score. Any Derby fans care to respond?
40 - Wasted: Todd gets himself into a good position out on the right but his cross goes too far for Earnshaw and Miller to latch onto.
35 - Samba shot: Bentley whips in a free kick that finds Samba, his shot forcing Carroll into a save. Blackburn are beginning to work the ball into the box now.
34 - Chipped: Bentley tries to catch Carroll off his line but Carroll fingertips his chip over the bar.
30 - Tackled: Vogel goes in slightly too high on Savage and the Derby captain isn't happy, making his annoyance known to Uriah Rennie.
28 - Little action: Nothing much to report from Ewood Park, most the play is in the centre of the pitch with neither side getting an attacking breakthrough. Miller's goal has silenced the Blackburn fans.
23 - Mixed views: Robert is also putting his money on a Blackburn win and reckons defender Samba will get on the scoresheet. James in the US is also a Blackburn fan but thinks they'll slip up against Derby today. Certainly going that way at the moment.
19 - GOAL!!! Kenny Miller slots the ball past Friedel after a long ball up field, beginning his run in Derby's half of the pitch. The two fullbacks are stood on the half way line appealing to the linesman for offside. A calm finish from the Derby striker.
18 - Headed away: 19-year-old Addison heads the ball away for a corner preventing danger man Santa Cruz from tapping it in. A solid start from the Derby youngster.
17 - Pressure: Bentley drives a free kick in towards Samba but the defender is under pressure and can't get a shot away.
14 - Long range efforts: Friedel saves a Lewis 30 yard shot. Neither side are getting the ball into the box with a few long range efforts early in the game.
Remember you can get in touch with your thoughts and predictions throughout the game. Email me at Laura.Slatcher@bskyb.com.
11 - Troubled: Pedersen's shot does nothing to trouble Carroll, Todd doing just enough to ward off the Blackburn man.
9 - Roberts shot: Roberts tries a shot after getting away from Moore, but his effort goes high and wide.
8 - Early pressure: Ghaly is caught by Emerton and Derby have a freek kick from 30 yards out. Savage's free kick finds Mears who crosses it in towards Earnshaw only for Friedel to collect.
5 - Free kick: Bentley takes a Blackburn free kick from 25 yards only for it to go straight at Carroll in the Derby goal.
4 - Upfield: Carroll plays a long ball upfield and Miller gets the better of Samba before Friedel comes out to collect.
Underway: Referee Uriah Rennie gets the game underway. Glenn in New Zealand has been in touch, tipping Blackburn to hammer home four or five goals this afternoon. That sure would be a boost for Blackburn's Intertoto Cup hopes.
Loving it: The Derby fans are enjoying themselves in the sunshine this afternoon. They're certainly dressed for the occasion in Hawaiian shirts and shorts. Blackburn's Roque Santa Cruz has just been presented with his player of the season trophy.
Pride at stake: Derby's relegation is already sealed and Blackburn have no chance of a European spot. Nevertheless, let's hope we're set for a good game as Blackburn aim to secure an Intertoto Cup place. Robbie Savage returns to Ewood Park for the first time since his move to Derby in January.
Got anything to say on today's game? Get in touch by emailing me at Laura.Slatcher@bskyb.com. I'll feature a selection of your views and thoughts throughout the game.
Derby team: Carroll, Todd, Addison, Moore, McEveley, Mears, Savage, Ghaly, Lewis, Earnshaw, Miller. Subs: Villa, Feilhaber, Sterjovski, Beardsley, Price.
Blackburn team: Friedel, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock, Reid, Bentley, Emerton, Vogel, Pedersen, Santa Cruz, Roberts. Subs: Derbyshire, Tugay, Olsson, Ooijer, Brown.
Hello and welcome to skysports.com's live commentary of Blackburn's Premier League encounter with Derby. We'll bring you team news shortly.
Matt Le Tissier expects a carefree Arsenal to trip Everton up in their race for Europe.
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Aston Villa | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Blackburn Rovers | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Bolton Wanderers | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Chelsea | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Everton | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Fulham | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Hull City | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Liverpool | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Manchester City | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Manchester United | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Middlesbrough | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Newcastle United | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Portsmouth | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Stoke City | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | Sunderland | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | Tottenham Hotspur | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | West Bromwich Albion | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | West Ham United | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | Wigan Athletic | 0 | 0 |