Rovers slump to defeat
Mark Hughes was angered by a below-par Blackburn performance
Thursday, 20, Sep 2007 10:33
Blackburn Rovers suffered their first loss of the season after a shock 2-0 loss to Larissa in the first leg of their Uefa Cup first round tie.
The Greek side dominated the game and took the lead on 33 minutes when ex-Everton striker Ibrahim Bakayoko fired in a deflected strike from 30 yards.
Two minutes later, Cleyton punished some shambolic defending from Rovers to thread the ball past Brad Friedel.
Rovers must win by three goals in two weeks time at Ewood Park to reach the qualifying stages of the Uefa Cup.
Manager Mark Hughes said he was disappointed with his side's poor display against the Greek Cup winners.
"It was not a performance we were expecting, in particular after our excellent run of 15 games unbeaten," Hughes said.
"Up until now we have shown quality and energy, but they were missing tonight. We have left ourselves a lot to do.
"I'm sure against Portsmouth on Sunday our performance will be a lot better, but tonight is a mystery to us."
Elsewhere, Andy Johnson missed two penalties as Everton were held to a controversial 1-1 draw by nine-men Metalist Kharkiv at Goodison Park.
David Moyes' side took the lead when Joleon Lescott thundered a header from James McFadden's corner on 24 minutes.
Seweryn Gancarczyk was sent off for the visitors in the second half for dissent after the referee awarded the Toffees a penalty.
Andrew Johnson scored his spot-kick but it had to be retaken as Victor Anichebe stepped inside the penalty area. The England striker then saw his second attempt saved.
The visitors' were reduced to nine-men in the dying minutes when Olexandr Babych was given a second booking for wrestling Anichebe to the ground in the box.
Johnson stepped up again but blazed over to the frustration of the home supporters.
Elsewhere, Bolton grabbed a crucial away goal in their 1-1 draw against Rabotnicki Kometal in Skopje.
A goal by Abdoulaye Meite six minutes from time saved Bolton's blushes having fallen behind to Nemanja Milisavljevic's strike.
In a drab first-half, Nicolas Anelka wasted Wanderers' best chance after rounding the keeper and shooting into the side netting.
The Premier League's bottom side fell behind on 52 minutes when Milisavljevic punished the visitors' failure to clear a cross by smashing his shot past Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Although the Macedonian side continued to dominate, the Trotters equalised when goalkeeper Filip Madzovski spilled Anelka's free-kick and allowed Meite to pounce and equalise.
And Scotland's sole remaining Uefa Cup representatives Aberdeen were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Ukrainian side Dnipro, despite having the better of the play all evening.