Rio Sees Red At Ewood

BLACKBURN: Friedel, Neill, Todd, Nelsen, Gray, Reid,Savage (Mokoena 90), Tugay (Emerton 45), Pedersen,Bentley (Johnson 90), Kuqi.
Subs Not Used: Enckelman, Peter.


MAN UTD: Van der Sar, Neville, Brown (Silvestre 76), Vidic,Evra, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Ferdinand,Richardson (van Nistelrooy 54), Rooney, Saha.
Subs Not Used: Howard, Park, Pique.



David Bentley hit a hat-trick, Rio Ferdinand was sent off for the first time in his Man Utd career, and Robbie Savage was stretchered off. Oh yes, and there were seven goals to add to the thrills and spills at Ewood Park.

Bentley, who only sealed his full-time move from Arsenal on Tuesday, set up Rovers' first league double over United in 75 years.

Ferdinand's simmering feud with Savage burst into life two minutes from time with a clattering challenge that resulted in the England defender's dismissal, but you had to wonder if Savage made the most of it.

Ferdinand had already endured a dismal night with his terrible first half mix-up with Edwin Van der Sar helping Rovers take a lead they never surrendered.

His night was almost improved by the dramatic introduction of Ruud Van Nistelrooy, who lashed home a double to drag United back from 4-1 down and set up a breathless finish. But Rovers hung on for the points.