Genclerbirligi 3-1 Blackburn Rovers
Poor from Blackburn. They started promisingly but couldn't keep up the pressure for long. After about 15-20 minutes they let Gen (well I'm not gonna bother remembering how to spell this team, I definitely can't pronounce it
!) get into the game and suddenly Balckburn found themselves under immense pressure. Gen.. had three very good chances to score with headers. The first didn't have enough power on it and Friedel made a comfortable save. The second hit the bar and went over and the third was just wide. Three let-offs for Balckburn.
The first goal did come from Gen.. just a few minutes before half-time and they more than deserved it. Skoko scored the goal and it was a beauty. Friedel had to come out of his goal to head clear a long ball (he was 20 yards out at this point) but the ball went stright to Skoko who struck the ball on the half-volley from about 35 yards out over Friedel and just under the crossbar. Less than a minute later Youla beat the offside trap and sent a fierce shot just past Friedel's left hand.
I didn't see any of the second half, but Andy Cole came on and helped set up Blackburn's goal fro Brett Emerton after 57 minutes .... but sloppy defening three minutes later gave Youla a chance to put Gen.. two goals back in front and he didn't miss. Blackburn have a tough task back at Ewood Park in three weeks.