CarlingNet - No 1 for Match Reports

Man United v Blackburn 25/08/96 4.00

Man United              (1) 2 Blackburn               (1) 2 FT
Cruyff 39                     Warhurst 34
Solskjaer 70                  Bohinen 51

Norwegian Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored within seven minutes of his Premiership debut to inspire Manchester United's second voracious comeback in five days to protect their 34-match unbeaten Old Trafford league record.

But how the champions needed a touch of Scandanavian magic as Blackburn sensationally proved that reports of their demise after the departures of Alan Shearer and Kenny Dalglish are well premature.

Their first goals since the controversial £15million sale of England's premier striker twice prised the lead from a side still smarting from Jack Walker's refusal to let them contest Shearer's sale to Newcastle.

Jordi Cruyff's second goal of the week cancelled out Paul Warhurst's opener but when Lars Bohinen weaved through to crash in a second Rovers goal in the 50th minute, United feared the worst.

The Norwegian had been the architect of their last home Carling Premiership defeat, setting up both Nottingham Forest's goals on December 17 1994.

So Fergie, with Ronny Johnsen already in his starting line-up for the first time, called for his other Iceman, sending on his £1.5million capture from Molde in place of David May in the 61st minute.

And it paid off when he raced through onto Cruyff's header. Tim Flowers beat down his first shot but England's goalkeeping reject had no chance as Solskjaer drilled home the rebound.

United, who came from 2-0 down to draw at home to Everton on Wednesday, felt they should have gone on to win that game. They certainly should have done this time.

But Flowers, axed by Glenn Hoddle in favour of Liverpool's David James, produced a string of magnificent saves from Gary Pallister and David Beckham to give Ray Harford relief at the end of a difficult week.

Dalglish's severance of association after two opening defeats had left the 1995 champions in apparent crisis: `One season wonders' taunted the home fans smugly after Ferguson and Peter Schmeichel collected the Manager and Player of the Year awards before the game.

But Blackburn produced a bold, attacking performance to rock United and they fully merited their lead in the 34th minute taking full advantage of a disorganised home defence.

Ferguson gambled on the fitness of Phil Neville who goes into hospital this week for an ankle operation. He lasted just half an hour and while brother Gary arrived to switch flanks with Denis Irwin, Stuart Ripley exposed their hollow centre.

When he crossed from the left, Kevin Gallacher crept between David May and Gary Pallister for a free header. Schmeichel got a hand to the ball low down on his line but it rolled free for Warhurst to tap in at the far post.

Blackburn's elation was short-lived. Colin Hendry and Tim Flowers showed a complete lack of empathy as Schmeichel boomed the ball forward in the 38th minute, and the big Scottish defender's attempted back header neatly teed the ball up for the young Dutchman to hook past the goalkeeper.

Rovers were playing with great determination, real hardness, and Tim Sherwood was lucky it was only yellow for a cruel late foul on Johnsen, with Bohinen and Warhurst, both for frustrated trips on David Beckham, soon following him into the book.

The 21-year-old, celebrating his elevation to the full England squad, was busy and inventive, linking brilliantly with Eric Cantona.

Rovers claimed a penalty but referee Steve Dunn waved play on when the ball hit Pallister's hand as he scrambled around on all fours trying to clear a clear case of accidental contact.

But they would not be denied and no-one could lay a boot on Bohinen as he weaved his way through on the right and crashed a second past Schmeichel in the 50th minute.

Now it was United who were chasing as Rovers flicked the ball around with the sort of assurance rarely seen since their championship season.

But United are like a wounded wild animal when goaded at home and the combination of Giggs and Beckham set up McClair, whose stinging 25 yard drive was superbly tipped over by the flying Flowers.

Then Cantona stretched to prod Cruyff into clear water, but a pathetic attempt to chip the advancing goalkeeper let him off the hook.

But the leveller could not be held off and then it was Rovers who were rocking, with Flowers tipping over Pallister's header and then brilliantly clutching Beckham's volley.

In the end a fair result, and further evidence that this Premiership will not pan out the way many suspected after the first few days.