Half-time: Blackburn Rovers 0 Manchester United 1

6:18pm Saturday 4th October 2008

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WES Brown's controversial headed goal handed United a 1-0 half time lead at Ewood Park after a clear foul on goalkeeper Jason Brown.

Rovers's reserve keeper, in for the injured Paul Robinson, was elbowed by Nemanja Vidic as he came for Wayne Rooney's cross allowing Brown to head home at the far post.

Rovers will feel unfortunate to go in trailing at the break as they nullified United's attacking threat for the majority.

Both sides opted for the 4-2-3-1 formation with Santa Cruz on his own in attack for Rovers and Dimitar Berbatov playing a similar role for the visitors.

After a concerning start, which saw United dominate possession, Paul Ince's men slowly worked their way into the game and could have taken the lead on 15 minutes.

Andre Ooijer's clever pass down the right sent Matt Derbyshire clear and his low shot was saved by Edwin Van Der Sar, with Nemanja Vidic hacking the loose ball clear with Santa Cruz waiting to pounce.

Darren Fletcher then dragged wide from eight yards after being put clear by Berbatov, while Brett Emerton's 25-yard drive flew just wide for Rovers on 25.

The hosts' stand-in goalkeeper Jason Brown then brilliantly tipped Ryan Giggs' effort over the bar on the half hour mark, but was beaten a minute later - albeit dubiously.

He recovered though to deny Rooney killing the game off on 35 and keep Rovers' hopes alive at the break