Blackburn 0-1 Bolton

Blackburn reaction Bolton reaction Photo gallery

Bolton snatched victory in a niggly Lancashire derby after El-Hadji Diouf won a controversial penalty.

Diouf looked to have dived to earn a spot-kick, which he converted from a rebound after Brad Friedel's save.

But the striker seemed fortunate to be on the pitch after elbowing Andy Todd while Kevin Nolan was just as lucky after a tackle on Robbie Savage.

Savage had a typically combative debut for Blackburn, whose best chance came from a first half Lucas Neill shot.

His effort was well-saved by Jussi Jaaskelainen, who dived to his right to turn the shot round the post.

Morten Gamst Pedersen was also denied by the Finnish keeper, who kept out his drive with the help of the woodwork.

Bolton's only strike of the first half came from Diouf's elbow.

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And he was extremely lucky to receive only a yellow card after blatantly crashing his arm into Todd's face.

Savage announced his arrival at Ewood Park by clattering Ricardo Gardner after just 39 seconds.

The £3m signing was very fortunate not to be booked but the first caution of his Blackburn career was not long in coming.

After only 17 minutes, referee Steve Bennett cautioned the Welshman for a foul on Stelios Giannakopolous.

Let's face it, Diouf can be brilliant but he went back to his old ways. He's not the only one to do it, but it's not good From Straffan Have your say on 606

It did seem to calm Savage who added steel to Blackburn's midfield from then on and produced a superb tackle on the edge of his penalty area to stop Kevin Nolan.

It was turning into Savage's kind of game, being played out in a congested midfield with both sides lacking ideas, and precision passing, up front.

And after the break, Bolton replaced the subdued Jay-Jay Okocha with Kevin Davies.

The former Blackburn striker was roundly booed by the home fans, whose relief was obvious moments later when Davies fired a shot over the bar.

It was a rare attack for Bolton, who found themselves firmly on the back foot after the interval, conceding over 80% of possession.

Savage (right) added some bite to the Blackburn midfield

But Blackburn were far from potent in attack and it was no surprise when both Rovers strikers were replaced on 62 minutes.

The new pairing included Jemal Johnson, who was making his home debut.

Shortly after, Savage's debut could have been ended prematurely when he was the victim of an awful tackle.

Nolan's two footed lunge may have got him a straight red on another occasion, but referee Bennett once again showed leniency and opted for yellow.

Substitute Johnson then tested Jaaskelainen with a low shot as Blackburn tried to regain some momentum.

But it was Bolton who made the decisive contribution, when Diouf fell after rounding Friedel and Bennett pointed to the spot.

Friedel's first real save of the game, as he parried Diouf's penalty, brought Blackburn short-lived relief.

For it was Diouf who reacted fastest to smack the ball into the roof of the net.

It was his last kick of the game, as he was substituted almost immediately after.

Though Blackburn poured forward with renewed purpose, they ultimately paid the price for a lack of cutting edge in attack.

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Blackburn: Friedel, Neill, Todd, Mokoena, Matteo, Emerton, Savage, Thompson, Pedersen, Bothroyd (Johnson 62), Gallagher (Stead 62).
Subs Not Used: Enckelman, Johansson, Reid.

Booked: Savage.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Ben Haim, N'Gotty, Gardner, Nolan, Okocha (Davies 52), Campo, Speed, Giannakopoulos (Pedersen 67), Diouf (Fadiga 78).
Subs Not Used: Poole, Hierro.

Booked: Diouf, Giannakopoulos, Nolan, Davies.

Goals: Diouf 77.

Att: 20,056

Ref: S Bennett (Kent).