Early in the game, Andy Cole hit the outside of the post but it was never really threatening Cudicini's goal as it was such a tight angle. Cudicini then intervened to keep out shots from Duff and Neil in an entertaining first half at Ewood Park. Before all this had happened, however, Gudjohnsen's drive from the edge of the box flew just wide.
And it was Gudjohnsen who would have the first chance of the second half. Hasselbaink struck the ball towards goal and Brad Friedel failed to hold the ball. It fell to Gudjohnsen who hit his shot over after turning Craig Short. Damien Duff then hit the shot of the match but Cudicini was equal to it and got the luck that he deserved when Tugay hit the rebound inches wide of his right hand post. As the game went on both sides fought for the win that they needed but aneither side quite had the killer instinct in the end.
It must be said that a draw was a fair result, even if it doesn't help either sides aspirations. Chelsea leapfrog Newcastle into fourth but the Geordies have two games in hand, whereas Blackburn are in 17th place and, more importantly, just three points off the relegation zone. The end of another hard season is near- some may see it as a failure for the Blues but, if we can win the Cup, then I feel it will have been successful. But the most important thing is European Football and that is almost a certainty...