Iron's

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Dean Ashton underlines return to fitness
Blackburn Rovers (0) 0 West Ham United (0) 1

While the players massed in the tunnel, ready to return after a grimly attritional first half, the public-address announcer summoned a tone of ersatz excitement. "Ewood Park," he bellowed, "get ready to raise the roof!" Unhappily for Blackburn, Dean Ashton took him at his word, the West Ham substitute marking Alan Curbishley's first anniversary as manager with the game's only goal.

As is the former Crewe and Norwich striker's wont, Ashton lifted the roof somewhat gently, his fourth goal of another injury-affected season being poached rather than powered into the net six minutes after he replaced the injured Matthew Etherington.

It was certainly a more satisfactory manner in which to win than the way West Ham prevailed on their previous visit to Blackburn in March, when referee Howard Webb awarded Bobby Zamora a precious goal in their struggle against relegation despite the ball not having crossed the line.

This time, with a largely British side in the top half of the Premier League and nine points above the drop zone, there should be no winter of discontent at West Ham.

If Ashton continues to show the single-mindedness that characterised yesterday's cameo, they could yet join the cluster of clubs pushing for Uefa Cup places, while the player himself may finally represent England after being thwarted by ankle and hamstring problems.

"It was a great start to a very big week for us," Curbishley said, looking ahead to two home games against Everton in the Carling Cup and Premier League.

"Apart from the injuries we've had, we have had players trying to get fit playing in the first team, which is a very difficult thing to do. I had a good chat with Dean on Saturday because he had been out for five weeks with only one practice game and one reserve outing, but he looked sharp here."

Blackburn, who have already sampled European competition under Mark Hughes, have hit something of a wall lately. Although this was not a reverse on the scale of Aston Villa's four-goal rout, they have collected only five points from six matches.

"I haven't really had an issue with our performances, but this was an exception," Hughes said. "West Ham's game plan worked really well. They counter-attacked us, though the goal was poor from our viewpoint."

The opening 45 minutes were enlivened only by the Blackburn crowd's determination to cast Lucas Neill as a pantomime villain for having had the temerity to leave east Lancashire for east London. Yet before they could shout "behind you", George McCartney's cut-back evaded Andre Ooijer and was side-footed home by Ashton from six yards.

The contest opened up and Roque Santa Cruz missed two easy chances while Robert Green saved well from Christopher Samba and the outstanding Tugay.

Against that, Ashton set up Luis Boa Morte for a volley that Brad Friedel did well to beat aside.



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