Keepers reign at Ewood

Sorensen: Inspired form

Man of Match: Thomas Sorensen. Made two great saves to earn his side a point. At the other end, Robinson also made two good saves but the Stoke keeper was the busier so gets the nod.
Moment of the match: Christopher Samba had a great chance to win it in stoppage time but put his header from close range wide.
Attempt of the match: Ryan Nelsen hit a great effort inside the box which Sorensen did brilliantly to push out for a corner.
Save of the match: Sorensen's save on six minutes to deny Franco Di Santo after the striker had been played in one-on-one. The keeper spread himself well to save.
Talking point: Robert Huth appeared to push Di Santo in the box but no penalty appeal was made.

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Goalkeepers Thomas Sorensen and Paul Robinson were in inspired form as Blackburn and Stoke's clash at Ewood Park finished goalless.

First Sorensen spread himself well to deny Franco Di Santo in the sixth minute after the striker had been played in one-on-one with the keeper.

Then Robinson saved from Dean Whitehead in a similar situation before the Blackburn keeper did well to deny Liam Lawrence's shot from close range.

In the second period, Sorensen produced a great save to deny Ryan Nelson's effort and Steven N'Zonzi's shot then hit the post.

Christopher Samba had a glaring opportunity to win it in stoppage time but put his header wide from close range.

Rovers were hoping to chalk up a fifth successive home win in the league and give boss Sam Allardyce - again absent after heart surgery on Friday - a boost in the process.

Instead, with assistant Neil McDonald in charge, they had to settle for a point against a Stoke side that continues to improve.

Stoke goalkeeper Sorensen had to look alert in the sixth minute and did well to block a shot from Di Santo after Keith Andrews had created the opening.

But that was as good as it got for Blackburn in the first half.

Hit back

The visitors hit back and three minutes later Whitehead tested Robinson following a swift counter-attack.

Whitehead should have given his side the lead in the 20th minute after being released by Ricardo Fuller but failed to get enough power on his effort and Robinson pushed it away.

It was an open game and David Dunn swung in a corner four minutes later. Di Santo peeled away from his marker but failed to get a decent connection on his header.

Blackburn were forced to make a change in the 32nd minute when Dunn limped off and was replaced by Jason Roberts.

Dunn had been in good form with six goals this season so his premature exit was a blow for the home side.

However, it did mean Di Santo would have Roberts for company instead of playing as a lone striker.

Blackburn were then grateful to Robinson for keeping the scores level in the 39th minute as the defence was caught on the hop following a quick break.

He made a great point-blank save from Lawrence after Mamady Sidibe had delivered a cross from the right.

Lawrence was left holding his head in disbelief following the goalkeeper's block.

Rhythm

Stoke were beginning to find their rhythm and looking dangerous on the counter-attack. They were content to defend deep and in numbers to frustrate the home side.

Andy Wilkinson then got goal side of Gael Givet in the 53rd minute only to find the side netting with his effort.

A minute later Blackburn almost took the lead when skipper Nelsen fired in a volley but Sorensen managed to push it away at the last minute.

The home side stepped up the pressure and Sorensen was beaten in the 55th minute but Steven Nzonzi's shot cannoned off the post.

Back came Stoke and Fuller worked his way into the penalty area six minutes later.

He set up Whitehead in front of the posts only for the midfielder to lose his footing at the vital moment and the chance went begging.

Emerton then cracked a shot wide from 25 yards in the 72nd minute before play switched back down the other end.

Fuller showed good skill to carve out an opening three minutes later, only for substitute James Beattie to hoist his effort over the bar from close range.

Then Samba headed wide in stoppage time for Blackburn following a cross from substitute Morten Gamst Pedersen as the match ended in stalemate.

However this was another good performance on the road for Stoke, who are on course to preserving their status again in the top flight.