PICTURES

WEBMASTER'S COMMENT

"Alex Ferguson sent his former right-hand man packing to Division 1, while at the other end of the table Alex is now a home win against Spurs from winning the Premiership."

MATCH REPORT

By John Curtis, PA Sport

At least Blackburn spurned the rubber dinghies and went down fighting but it was still not enough to wrench the title out of the reach of Manchester United at Ewood Park.

For while Alex Ferguson will have been content to accept the point which keeps his side on course for the Premiership crown, his former assistant Brian Kidd must have been forced to bite his lip as he shook his former mentor's hand.

For however creditable a goalless draw at home to United was - especially for Arsenal - it was not enough to save Blackburn from relegation just four years after winning the title.

In truth, it was not Ferguson who relegated Blackburn though.

That was down to a season of massive under-achievement in which they won just seven games, scored only 37 times and conceded a total of 51 goals.

At least Rovers responded to the wrath of Kidd following their home defeat against Nottingham Forest last weekend, when he accused his players of running to the rubber dinghies at the first sign of trouble and failing to show any spirit or pride.

But while United were hardly openly celebrating at the end themselves, they were able to rest assured in the knowledge that victory at home to Tottenham on Sunday will bring the title back to Old Trafford - whatever happens at Highbury.

The game itself was hardly a classic, indeed both sides showed a distinct lack of adventure, perhaps because of the importance of the occasion.

For all their effort, it was - for long periods - all that Rovers, inspired by midfielder Lee Carsley, could do to contain United.

Ashley Ward foraged up front mainly on his own as Matt Jansen and Keith Gillespie largely stayed out wide to cut off the supply lines to David Beckham and the fit-again Ryan Giggs.

In central midfield, Carsley, Jason Wilcox and David Dunn attempted to cope with Nicky Butt and Phil Neville as Ferguson, in the absence of Roy Keane but with Paul Scholes still available, possibly experimented ahead of the Champions' Cup final.

To a large extent it worked even though centre-backs Stephane Henchoz and Darren Peacock were often the busiest players on the pitch, but Rovers thereby lacked a cutting edge up front.

The nearest that United came to scoring was when Beckham crossed from the right early on and Giggs' header thudded against the foot of the post to rebound for Andy Cole to blaze a shot over the bar even though a corner was awarded.

At times it was frantic stuff but Blackburn, who were frantically willed on by their vociferous supporters, were just hanging on.

John Filan tipped over an effort from Dwight Yorke before Cole's predatory instincts enabled him to beat the offside trap and instantly control a long-ball from Gary Neville only to shoot far too close to the keeper.

Rovers meanwhile threatened only intermittently on the break, with Croft having a shot deflected just wide and Ward cutting inside only to shoot at Peter Schmeichel.

Beckham was nevertheless being frustrated by a perceived lack of protection amid some committed challenges and showed signs of being rattled as his team-mates urged him to control his fragile temperament.

His crossing nevertheless suffered as a result and United were further hampered by the loss of Jaap Stam to an Achilles tendon injury at half-time, with former Blackburn defender David May replacing him.

The visitors' defence came under gradually increasing pressure as Rovers began to attack with more conviction after the interval and a flowing move involving Carsley and Ward ended with Schmeichel tipping Dunn's drive over the bar.

However, they still could not commit too many players forward for fear of going behind and United continued to threaten with Filan blocking out Giggs and Ronny Johnsen's header from a corner being cleared off the line by Carsley.

May headed into the side-netting and only Yorke's true sportsmanship prevented him bearing down on goal as he voluntarily stopped play to allow Peacock to receive treatment on the floor.

Substitute Damien Johnson did almost make an immediate impact with 10 minutes left as he just failed to connect with Jansen's cross.

But then came the moment that Blackburn had been waiting for all game - and they fluffed it.

Johnson crossed from the right and a weak clearance fell to the feet of Ward, near the penalty spot and with Schmeichel off his line.

Instead of blasting his shot, the striker tried to place it and even though Jansen tried to deflect the ball back on target with his chest, it dribbled harmlessly wide.

That was effectively the end for Blackburn as they seemed to accept their fate from then on, with no hopeful long-balls pumped forward for strikers, defenders or even a goalkeeper to capitalise on.

And so the tears flowed but, to their credit, the home supporters stayed behind to chant the names of Kidd and owner Jack Walker, who has invested countless millions into the club.

Indeed if only the Blackburn players had showed the two men the same appreciation this season, they might have stayed up.

United meanwhile move on remorselessly. Only a certain George Graham stands between them and the title now.

POST MATCH REACTIONS

After the goalless draw at Blackburn, Alex Ferguson expressed his disappointment at his team's inability to make the most of their chances.

"It's not the result we wanted to be honest with you.

"All the possession we had, that was disappointing because we didn't take the chances. We should have done better with it."

David Beckham thoughts turned to three massive games beginning with home clash with Tottenham on Sunday. United then meet Newcastle in the FA Cup final and Bayern Munich in the Champions' Cup final.

He added: "We've just got to concentrate this week in training and get a little bit of rest. We've got three big games."

Beckham claimed Blackburn did not deserve to get relegated following tonight's match.

A point was not enough to keep Rovers in the top flight and United extended their sympathy to their former assistant manager Brian Kidd.

Beckham, who was nurtured through the Old Trafford youth and reserve ranks by Kidd, said: "Kiddo is a great manager, a great coach and a really nice bloke. He's brought us all through, all the youngsters.

"We all love him and it's sad to see. They're a good team and probably don't deserve to go down.

"But we all know what Kiddo's like so he deserves to go straight back up."

Ferguson - after his initial surprise that Blackburn had gone down - suggested it could be a blessing in disguise.

"He's got a chance on Saturday hasn't he?" Ferguson asked Sky Sports. "They're down? They needed a win tonight? I thought they needed a point."

Ferguson added: "It may be the best thing, who knows, to start afresh and build his own team but only time will tell now."

TEAMS

Blackburn Rovers: Filan, Peacock, Davidson, Henchoz, Dunn, Wilcox, Carlsey, Gillespie, Jansen, Ward, Croft.
Subs: Johnson for Gillespie

Manchester United: Schmeichel, G Neville, Irwin, Johnsen, Stam, Beckham, Butt, P Neville, Giggs, Cole, Yorke.
Subs: Sherinham for Cole, Scholes for P Neville

Referee: M Reid