David Bentley


Bentley enjoyed the moment as it was his first goal of the season and came on the eve of Steve McClaren’s England squad announcement. With David Beckham and Kieron Dyer both injured, he might now be considered an option by the national team manager for the crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel and Russia.

Bentley’s goal in this second qualifying round second leg tie eased Blackburn’s nerves and with Jason Roberts adding a second in stoppage time it extended their unbeaten run to 13 matches stretching back to last season.

Blackburn should have extended their lead in the 11th minute after a sweeping move. Tugay slipped a clever ball through to Brett Emerton and he played it across the area. Roberts was perfectly positioned at the far post but from close range sent his effort wide of the target.

Blackburn kept up the pressure and two minutes later Aaron Mokoena rattled in a shot from the edge of the area. It was spilled by goalkeeper Janne Korhonen but he recovered in time to prevent Maceo Rigters, making his first start, taking advantage.

Bentley almost made the breakthrough in the 31st minute when Tugay played a short free-kick to him. The former England Under-21 star immediately whipped in a 25-yard drive that went marginally past the post.

Rigters dragged a shot wide in the 35th minute following a neat one-two with Roberts. Then a minute later Roberts watched in astonishment as MyPa goalkeeper Korhonen blocked his close-range effort.

Blackburn eventually made the breakthrough in the 48th minute through Bentley. It was a stunning strike as well, a left-foot volley from Morten Gamst Pedersen’s cross that thundered into the net. There was nothing Korhonen could do about it and Bentley’s goal gave Blackburn a 2-0 advantage in the tie.

Bentley came close to getting a second in the 60th minute when his superbly weighted free kick drifted just over. Blackburn looked comfortable in front of a crowd of 13,490 although Friedel did well to parry a shot from Tuomas Kuparinen in the 67th minute.

Blackburn went looking for a second goal on the night and Roberts nearly extended their lead in the 73rd minute but his effort just cleared the crossbar. Roberts got his reward for his hard work by extending their lead in stoppage time with a clever backheel after substitute Matt Derbyshire had headed the ball on.