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Another Home Defeat Rovers lost the third consecutive home game this season on Sunday against former Rovers, Chris Coleman's Fulham. Coleman used two of the quickest forwards in the business, Luis Boa Morte and Louis Saha perfectly. Defending in depth and packing the midfield, Fulham deprived Rovers the space to play and then sprang the trap when Rovers were sucked in towards the ball. Any hopes of Rovers keeping their first clean sheet of the season gone into smoke as early as the 5th min. Boa Morte was presented with an empty net four yards out after a defence cockup between "Tiny" Taylor and Friedel. Blackburn's cause was not helped when Markus Babbel hobbled off to be replaced by Nils-Eric Johansson. In the second half, Fulham's pace up front proved decisive when Inamoto's long ball from his own half caught Rovers sleeping, Saha shrugged off Amoruso's attempt to pull him back and then cut back inside the Italian defender before finishing expertly from the edge of the area. Souness tried to change things around by bringing on Grabbi and Tugay for Gresko and Ferguson but in the end, it did not prevent Fulham from taking 3 points away from Ewood Park. (Time to wake up, Rovers !!) Match Stats : Scorers : Boa Morte (5), Saha (56). Rovers : Friedel, Taylor, Amoruso, Babbel (Johansson 28), Gresko (Grabbi 58), Emerton, Ferguson (Tugay 58), Flitcroft, Thompson, Cole, Jansen. Subs Not Used: Yorke, Kelly. Fulham : Van der Sar, Volz (Leacock 45), Goma, Knight, Bonnissel, Pembridge, Inamoto, Boa Morte (Buari 84), Clark, Malbranque, Saha. Subs Not Used: Melville, Djetou, Crossley. Booked : Flitcroft, Tugay, Inamoto, Knight, Leacock, Boa Morte. Attendance : 21,985 Referee : M Messias (N Yorkshire) Babbel Injury Blow Markus Babbel could be out for up to six weeks after tearing a thigh muscle in yesterday's 2-0 home defeat to Fulham. Babbel is returning to his native Germany this week, where a specialist will assess the extent of the damage. With Neill banned for another two games, Todd on loan, Short still injured, it leaves Souness short of cover in the area of the field that has suffered the most in Rovers' last three home games. Updated by Jeffrey on 30 September 2003 at 1540. Gray's Trial Turns Grey Former Crystal Palace midfielder, Julian Gray has been on trial at Ewood Park for the last fortnight but Souness has revealed that because of non-available funds the club will not be signing Gray on a permanent deal. Captain Return Boost Rovers midfield pair Barry Ferguson and Garry Flitcroft will return to the squad for the match against Fulham on Sunday. Ferguson missed the UEFA Cup defeat by Gencerbirligi in midweek as he was ineligible while Flitcroft has been suffering from a back problem. But both Lucas Neill and Steven Reid are ruled out through suspension. New Article Uploaded Our column writer, Thomas has another of his article up on this site. Please feel free to read it here. Updated by Jeffrey on 26 September 2003 at 2250. Neill Turns Hero Rovers' Lucas Neill turned from villain into a hero as he set up Rovers' first win since the opening day and newly promoted Portsmouth's first defeat. The Australian defender, blasted last week for an ugly challenge that broke Jamie Carragher's leg, stabbed home the vital opening goal at Fratton Park after 35 minutes. Andy Cole doubled the lead eight minutes later with a smart turn and shot and although defender Arjan de Zeeuw pulled one back with a header early in the second half Rovers held out. Despite their sweat and zeal, Portsmouth conjured up nothing more dangerous than that. In fact, they almost conceded a third when, in a swift counterattack, Emerton's shot cannoned back off an upright before Hislop had even moved to it. Redknapp's response, with his Blackburn counterpart Souness urging his side not to defend too deeply, was to bring on yet another forward in Vincent Pericard. Lorenzo Amoruso, the Taras Bulba figure at the heart of the Rovers' defence, marshalled his men admirably to the final whistle. (more) Match Stats : Scorers : Neill (35), Cole (43), De Zeeuw (57). Portsmouth : Hislop, Stefanovic, Zivkovic, De Zeeuw, Sherwood, Sheringham (Roberts 54), Quashie (Pericard 83), Faye, Stone, Ayegbini, Schemme. Sub Not Used : Wapenaar, Foxe, Smertin. Rovers : Friedel, Neill (Johansson 89), Amoruso, Babbel, Gresko, Emerton, Tugay (Baggio 64), Ferguson, Thompson, Cole, Jansen (Yorke 64). Subs Not Used: Kelly, Grabbi. Booked : Cole (90), Thompson (90), Gresko (12), Quashie (24), Schemmel (90), Attendance : 20,024 Referee : Paul Durkin Updated by Jeffrey on 21 September 2003 at 1446. 10-men Rovers Outgunned Rovers crashed to a second straight home defeat at Ewood Park against Liverpool. Rovers had Lucas Neill sent off in a thrilling first half. Liverpool were hit by an early injury to Milan Baros after an innocuous challenge from Marcus Babbel. It got even worse for the Reds as Rovers opened the scoring on 8 minutes through Matt Jansen. However, Owen brought Liverpool back on level terms after Gresko fouled El Hadji Diouf in the box. Rovers then shot themselves in the foot after 18 minutes as Neill was given a straight red-card for a frankly disgusting challenge on Jamie Carragher, who also had to limp off and was replaced by John Arne Riise. With the extra man, Liverpool took control of the match and promptly battered Rovers, who bravely kept them at bay for the rest of the first half. But it was not to last as Liverpool took the lead on 68 minutes through Owen. Friedel continued to keep his club in the match, but the three points from assured by Harry Kewell's second goal for Liverpool in stoppage time. (more) Match Stats : Scorers : Jansen (8), Owen (11pen, 67), Kewell (90). Rovers : Friedel, Neill, Amoruso, Babbel, Gresko, Emerton, Flitcroft (Tugay 70), Ferguson, Thompson (Baggio 64), Cole, Jansen (Yorke 64). Subs Not Used: Kelly, Johansson. Liverpool : Dudek, Finnan, Hyypia, Baros (Heskey 4), Kewell, Diouf, Owen, Smicer, Gerrard (Le Tallec 85), Carragher (Riise 17), Biscan. Subs Not Used: Luzi, Traore. Booked : Amoruso (63) , Baggio (71), Smicer (53), Finnan (45) Sent Off : Neill (13) Attendance : 30,074 Referee : Neale Barry Andy And Alan Loaned Rovers' Andy Todd has gone to Lancashire rivals, Burnley on a season's loan while left midfielder, 25 years-old Alan Mahon will join Ipswich Town on a 3-month loan. Gray Handed Trial Former Crystal Palace midfielder Julian Gray has been handed a trial by Souness. The 23 year-old will be at Ewood Park for a week while Souness decides whether to attempt to sign him permanently. Gray has played over 100 games for Palace but his contract ran out at the end of last season and was not renewed due to a pay dispute. Updated by Jeffrey on 14 September 2003 at 1552.