Luton v Blackburn (FAC)

[kennethlindheim]

Luton manager Mike Newell will hope to mastermind an FA Cup upset when he takes on former club Blackburn Rovers on Saturday lunchtime.

Newell was a member of Rovers' promotion-winning campaign in 1992 and also played a part in the club's 1995 Premiership title success.

Having since forged a promising managerial career for himself Newell will relish pitting his wits against Mark Hughes whose side's impressive recent form was derailed in midweek.

And a disappointing defeat to Hatters' rivals Watford also saw Hughes's team suffer another injury setback.

Robbie Savage became the second player in as many matches to break his leg following Andre Ooijer's break at Manchester City.

However the long-term injured trio of Ryan Nelsen, Jason Roberts and Francis Jeffers all made their return for the reserves in midweek.

Rovers' transfer window signings Stephen Warnock and Christopher Samba are both available for their Rovers debuts, but the match is likely to come too soon for David Dunn, who is still working his way back to full fitness.

Luton will hand a debut of their own to striker Drew Talbot after Newell completed his signing from Sheffield Wednesday on Thursday.

Midfielder Ahmet Brkovic (ankle) is doubtful and goalkeeper Marlon Beresford, who missed his team's third round replay win over Queens Park Rangers in midweek with a back injury, is also touch-and-go.

Rovers won away emphatically in the third round with a 4-1 win at Everton and Championship strugglers Luton are unlikely to prevent their passage into the fifth round.

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[kyan]

this was a really shite game to put on tv. it felt like it lasted forever and the pitch didnt look too good, so easy for blackburn, 4-0 with a couple of decent goals (gamst's is definitely worth a watch).

blackburn were very good but luton were very bad. although their squad is apparently very depleted. matt derbyshire, warnock (watch his run for the 2nd) and morten gamst pedersen were all especially brilliant.

[Trim]

4-0, an easy win for Blackburn.
Two goals from Derbyshire, one from McCarthy, and one from Pedersen.

[kennethlindheim]

Blackburn eased into the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 4-0 win over Luton at Kenilworth Road.

Goals from Matt Derbyshire (2), Benni McCarthy and Morten Gamst Pedersen were enough to give the Premiership side an easy win over their Championship opponents.

To cap a fine day for Rovers boss Mark Hughes long-term injury casualty Ryan Nelsen made a successful return to action after being sidelined since last April, while new boys Stephen Warnock and Christopher Samba both made their debuts.

Blackburn settled the better of the two sides and they took the game to Luton from the first whistle.

The Lancashire side were rewarded for their enterprising start with the opening goal after just ten minutes through Derbyshire.

McCarthy slipped Derbyshire clear on goal and the in-form striker clinically rifled his shot from the edge of the area into the top corner past Marlon Beresford.

Luton fashioned their first opening on 16 minutes when Brad Friedel punched a long ball out straight to David Bell who drove his shot well over the crossbar.

The home side suffered a blow on 20 minutes when captain Chris Coyne was forced off through injury with Keith Keane replacing him.

Drew Talbot wasted half a chance on 25 minutes when Adam Boyd played him in on goal, but the recent signing from Sheffield Wednesday dallied with the ball allowing Stephane Henchoz to get back to snuff out the danger.

Luton created their best opening of the half on 34 minutes when Talbot rose highest to meet Lewis Emanuel's corner and his flick found Richard Langley at the far post, but a combination of David Bentley and Friedel kept out the Luton midfielder.

Blackburn doubled their lead on 37 minutes with McCarthy scoring with a simple finish.

Rovers new boy Warnock set off a storming run down the left before playing in Gamst Pedersen who swung over a cross which Derbyshire bravely headed into the path of McCarthy to score from six-yards out.

Derbyshire required treatment to a head injury after setting up the goal, but he was able to continue playing.

Blackburn picked up where they left off at the start of the second half and Brett Emerton wasted a good opening five minutes after the restart when he cut inside and curled a left-footed shot harmlessly over the crossbar.

The visitors almost caught Luton on the counter attack on 54 minutes when Derbyshire sprung clear of the home defence, but Sol Davis got back to block the striker's shot.

Blackburn netted their third goal on 56 minutes when Derbyshire rose highest to powerfully head home Emerton's cross.

Luton tried to rally and Henchoz produced a brave block inside the six-yard box to keep out Talbot's shot.

Adam Boyd made a chance for himself on 64 minutes when he won a challenge with Henchoz before cutting inside and firing in a shot which Friedel comfortably collected.

Derbyshire had a half chance to complete his hat-trick seconds later when he was sent racing clear on goal, but his shot lacked the power to trouble Beresford.

Pedersen made it 4-0 on 74 minutes with the Norwegian grabbing the best goal of the game.

The ball dropped invitingly to Pedersen wide on the left and the winger did not break stride in drilling his shot into the bottom corner past the helpless Beresford.

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[mr.watford]

[Olzy]

Luton are very poor. But thats what I expected.

Hopefully they get relegated.

[mr.watford]

Great attendance too, 5,500 against a Premiership club. I can see why their council won't give them their new ground with crowds like that.

[Sven]

I was gonna say Gamst goal was goal of the round , untill I saw Nugents and Sinclairs goal. both amazing.