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Santa Cruz continues dazzling form to sink Pompey

27/04/2008

Roque Santa Cruz netted his 21st goal of the season as Blackburn Rovers beat Portsmouth 1-0 at Fratton Park.

The Paraguay striker scored 16 minutes from time to move Rovers into joint-eighth place.

Jamie Ashdown was in goal for Pompey as David James had a calf injury and Glen Johnson and Kanu returned to the starting line-up, while Rovers were unchanged from the side that draw against Manchester United last Saturday.

The first-half was a lacklustre affair with the home side having one eye on the FA Cup final while Rovers have only a slim chance of qualifying for the Uefa Cup.

Harry Redknapp's side carved out the better chances with Kanu heading over from close range on 17 minutes.

Jermain Defoe spurned two chances to score in the closing minutes of the half. The England striker arrowed a low shot inches wide, then lashed another low effort off-target a minute later.

Mark Hughes' side woke up in the second half with defender Ryan Nelsen heading over on 51 minutes, with the New Zealander then having another header palmed away by Ashdown.

At the other end, Defoe continued to misfire with the ex-Tottenham man failing to connect with Muntari's square ball.

The visitors punished Pompey by breaking the deadlock 16 minutes from time when Santa Cruz exchanged passes with Jason Roberts before steering the ball in, for his third goal in three games.

Brad Friedel nearly gifted the home side an equaliser when he scrambled the ball to safety after trying a fancy drag-back past the onrushing Milan Baros.

The American then kept his side ahead with a stunning save in the 90th minute to keep out Lassana Diarra's header, with Rovers surviving the late onslaught to clinch an away victory.