Football: Peacock is plucked
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Blackburn Rovers 0
Derby County 0
Attendance: 24,007
A RE-JIGGED Blackburn side, including the summer's most expensive British player, suffered an afternoon of frustrations as their increasing domination failed to produce a breakthrough.
Kevin Davies almost scored on debut after his pounds 7.25m transfer from Southampton. A header from a corner on the half-hour produced one of Russell Hoult's several creditable saves, but neither he nor his new club did enough to break down an opposition that also threatened, especially early on.
Two nervous defences - with Blackburn's new centre-half Darren Peacock ill at ease - were highly vulnerable in that opening phase. The pace of Dean Sturridge and Paulo Wanchope kept Rovers on their toes, although Derby's best chances both came from Peacock's mistakes, Sturridge lobbing wide and Hoult saving a misdirected back-header. Until Lars Bohinen almost showed his former club how it was done in the last minute, that was about it for Derby as an attacking force.
The rest consisted of Blackburn's efforts, never really convincing, to break the visitors down. Roy Hodgson was happy with Davies' initial contribution. "He worked very hard and showed glimpses of his great talent," he said. "But he and Chris Sutton were constantly surrounded. Derby defended very doggedly and deserved their point."
They only got it, however, because of Hoult, who was only in goal because Mart Poom had a virus. Apart from his save from Davies' header, he also tipped away a Jason Wilcox free-kick and did very well to scramble the ball clear from Sutton in the first half after Davies' persistence had created the chance. Best of all, though, was a flying save from Gary Flitcroft in the second half. Rovers had been reduced by this stage to shooting from long range, Flitcroft's previous effort hitting the post.
Neither that tactic, nor Hodgson "changing the ammunition" as he put it, by bringing on Damien Duff, Kevin Gallagher and Martin Dahlin in attack, produced the shots that counted.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments