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Live Commentary: Blackburn Rovers vs. Manchester United

Follow live updates of tonight's Premier League encounter between Blackburn Rovers and Manchester United, courtesy of Sports Mole.

Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of the Premier League encounter between Blackburn Rovers and Manchester United at Ewood Park.

The clash is crucial at both ends of the Premier League table, with United knowing that a victory would move them five points clear at the summit, while Blackburn will attempt to edge three points clear of the relegation zone.

Rovers have lost just two of their previous nine home clashes with Sir Alex Ferguson's side, and triumphed 3-2 at Old Trafford earlier in the season.

United's away form has been imperious this season, however, losing just one of their last 16 Premier League encounters away from Old Trafford.

>Full team news for the match

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01 min: Tonight's referee is Howard Webb, and it is Blackburn Rovers who get us underway this evening.

02 min: United attacking in these early stages with Antonio Valencia down the right, it seems that Wayne Rooney will play from the left this evening.

04 min: It's positive play from both teams in the early stages of the match, with the away side searching out Valencia at every opportunity, while Junior Hoilett is Blackburn's main outlet.

05 min: Chance for Blackburn as Bradley Orr finds a cross into the box, but Rafael was on hand to clear the danger.

06 min: Glorious ball from Rooney presents Javier Hernandez with a chance in the box, but the Mexican fires wide. Just lovely from Rooney.

08 min: Another chance for United as Phil Jones finds Rooney in the area, but the England interational couldn't make connection.

11 min: Blackburn haven't really got going in these early stages, as Orr gives possession back to United.

11 min: Chance! Hernandez thinks he has scored for United, but his effort was somehow kept out by Paul Robinson, albeit with help from the post.

14 min: United continue to enjoy possession in these early stages, with Valencia a constant danger.

17 min: Wasteful from Morten Gamst Pedersen who plays the ball straight out of play, yet to see anything from Yakubu so far.

18 min: Good save from David de Gea who denies Hoilett from outside the box, better from the home side.

22 min: Hoilett's a real danger for Blackburn, but his cross is headed away by Jonny Evans in the United defence.

25 min: Good work from Paul Scholes in the United midfield, who finds Valencia with a fine pass, but the winger is called offside. Still all United here at Ewood Park.

28 min: No real chances in the last 10 or so minutes in the match, as Blackburn enjoy a spell with the ball.

31 min: Good cross from Patrice Evra is headed wide by Grant Hanley, the corner falls to Evans, but he fires straight at Robinson.

33 min: The United fans are in good voice this evening, as Rio Ferdinand ventures forward, but again it's good defending from the Blackburn defence.

34 min: Wonderful cross from Valencia finds Jones at the back post, but the former Blackburn defender heads wide.

38 min: The game has certainly quietened down as the half approaches its latter stages, with United on the ball.

42 min: Yet another Rafael cross is headed away by Hanley, as United appeal for a penalty with Dann seemingly handling the ball.

45 min: Fantastic double save from De Gea to deny Marcus Olsson from outside the box, before denying Hanley with a header.

HALF-TIME: Blackburn Rovers 0-0 Manchester United

So there we have it, the first 45 minutes at Ewood Park finishes 0-0. United have perhaps had the best chance of the match courtesy of Hernandez, but the Mexican could not find the goal from close range. Blackburn certainly improved as the half developed but it was United who enjoyed the better of the opening period.

46 min: We are underway in the second period here at Ewood Park. Will we have a goal in the second 45 minutes?

49 min: The second half has started much the same as the first, with United on the ball and looking for the opening.

50 min: Another cross from Valencia is headed away by the Blackburn defence, and it is the home side on the attack now.

52 min: Chance! Fantastic cross from Jones, who searches out Hernandez, but Dann is on hand to produce a fine header to clear the danger.

53 min: Rooney fires high and wide for United, who look in the mood in these early stages of the second period.

54 min: Free-kick for United in a dangerous position as Hanley fouls Scholes just outside the box.

55 min: It comes to nothing, however, as Robinson beats the ball away from danger.

57 min: Another chance for United as Rafael strikes from outside the box, but Robinson again pushes the ball to safety. United on the attack here.

60 min: An hour gone at Ewood Park and it remains 0-0. A goal for either team would mean so much, who will blink first?

60 min: Two chances for Yakubu in a matter of seconds, but the Blackburn striker can only fire wide.

62 min: Danny Welbeck is introduced for United, with Hernandez leaving the pitch.

62 min: Chance! Pedersen with the free-kick, but it is beaten away by De Gea.

63 min: Another substitute for United as Ryan Giggs is introduced in the place of Jones.

65 min: It's another waste for United as Evra hits his cross straight into the stands. Still no goal this evening.

67 min: Another chance for United comes and goes as Evra fires straight at Dann in the box.

70 min: It's all very narrow for United who continue to play through the middle, with Blackburn certainly dangerous on the break.

72 min: Superb ball from Giggs towards the back post, but again Blackburn clear the danger. Constant pressure from United with 20 minutes remaining.

76 min: More pressure from United as they probe around the box, but still we remain 0-0.

77 min: Chance! Giggs releases Rooney in the box, but his effort is straight at Robinson. Blackburn advance straight down the other end and come close via Yakubu, but Ferdinand clears the danger.

79 min: Another change for United as Scholes is replaced by Ashley Young.

81 min: GOAL! Blackburn Rovers 0-1 Manchester United (Valencia)

Valencia gives United a vital lead with 10 minutes remaining. It's brilliant from the winger who turns inside before firing the ball past Robinson into the corner.

84 min: How important could that strike from Valencia turn out to be? As it stands United are moving five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.

86 min: It's keep ball for United in the final moments of the match, what have Blackburn got left? They have given so much this evening.

86 min: GOAL! Blackburn Rovers 0-2 Manchester United (Young)

United move 2-0 ahead and surely secure the points as Young turns on the edge of the area before finishing past Robinson.

90 min: We will play three additional minutes at Ewood Park this evening.

FULL-TIME: Blackburn Rovers 0-2 Manchester United

So there we have it, United left it late but two second-half goals from Valencia and Young secure all three points. Sir Alex Ferguson's side have moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League table, while Blackburn have dropped into the relegation zone. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the coverage.

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