Koumas goal unhinges Rovers' Euro dream

Doomed West Bromwich Albion left Blackburn's European dream in the balance by restricting Graeme Souness's team to a point at Ewood Park, just as Fulham were doing them what was potentially a huge favour by beating Everton at Loftus Road.

By winning at Leeds last weekend, Blackburn had given themselves a real chance of pipping Everton for sixth place in the table and Uefa Cup qualification. Now, still two points behind the Merseysiders, they must win at Tottenham in their final game a week today and hope Everton fail to beat Manchester United at home.

Indeed, their performance yesterday so angered Souness he decided it would be prudent to avoid sharing his feelings with the media afterwards, sending his assistant manager Tony Parkes to the post-match debriefing.

"If you had to pick a team to beat to get into Europe you would probably pick one that was already relegated," Parkes said. "But we were too pedestrian going forward. It was very disappointing, which is why Graeme is not in a very good mood.

"We still might do it depending on what happens next week but we had a great chance today and did not take it." Although they took an early lead through Damien Duff, Blackburn were pegged back by a Jason Koumas equaliser early in the second half. Gary Megson's side, already planning for life back in the First Division, had nothing to play for but responded to the encouragement of an impressive army of travelling supporters, many in fancy-dress.

Albion's defence gave Blackburn a start by failing to spot Duff's run after 11 minutes. Lucas Neill picked out the Irishman's well-timed break and, once clear, the little winger comfortably beat Russell Hoult with a left-foot shot for his 10th goal of the season.

But Blackburn's threat was contained, and the visitors had opportunities to draw level before half-time. They also had grounds for complaint when referee Rob Styles failed to dismiss Blackburn defender Andy Todd after 37 minutes when he blatantly checked Jason Roberts with no other defender between the Albion front man and Brad Friedel's goal.

Albion's equaliser nine minutes into the second half was a deserved reward. Blackburn were caught flat-footed when Koumas won the ball in the centre circle, leaving all in his wake as he accelerated deep into the home side's penalty area. Friedel spread himself to block the shot but was beaten by a deflection off the defender Martin Taylor's outstretched leg.

When Friedel then denied Roberts, who was clean through, Blackburn suddenly awoke to the opportunity that was slipping through their grasp and Albion's goal might have been breached twice in a minute. In the first instance, Des Lyttle's challenge thwarted Garry Flitcroft with the goal at his mercy, then David Dunn blazed wastefully wide of an open goal.

Souness replaced an ineffective Hakan Sukur with Dwight Yorke and swapped a limping Flitcroft for Craig Hignett in his efforts to turn the game in Blackburn's favour, but although Hignett twice went close, Albion defiantly held out to finish at least with some pride restored.

Blackburn Rovers 1
Duff 11

West Bromwich Albion 1
Koumas 54

Half-time: 1-0 Attendance: 27,470