Blackburn Rovers breathed new life into their push for a European place with a comfortable 3-1 victory over rock-bottom Watford in a battle of the beaten FA Cup semi-finalists.
Christopher Samba and Jason Roberts both found the back of the net inside the opening ten minutes, before Douglas Rinaldi pulled a goal back for Aidy Boothroyd s side. But when Benni McCarthy gave Rovers a 3-1 half-time lead with his 20th of the campaign, the contest was effectively ended.

Mark Hughes named an unchanged side following Sunday s extra-time defeat to Chelsea, whilst Boothroyd made two changes to the side that were humbled 4-1 by Manchester United - with both starting players experiencing differing fortunes early on.
Indeed England international goalkeeper Ben Foster, who was ineligible to play against his parent club at the weekend, was arguably at fault for Rovers opening two goals.
On seven minutes, David Bentley s corner from the left, which he had won himself, deceived Foster mid-flight and Samba rose to head home his second Rovers goal from close range.

Three minutes later and Rovers doubled their lead. Bentley was again the provider, playing the ball over the top to Roberts, who held off the challenge of Jordan Stewart before stroking the ball across Foster and into the far corner of the goal for his second in as many games.
Morten Gamst Pedersen swerved a left-foot strike well wide of the mark shortly after, before tapping home Roberts parried shot just a minute later, but the goal was rightly ruled out for offside.

And just as Rovers had scored with their first attack of the game, so did the visitors - on 21 minutes. Hameur Bouazza s deep cross found the recalled Rinaldi and the Brazilian forward headed the ball past Brad Friedel with the aid of a slight deflection off Brett Emerton.
On the half-hour mark, Rovers appeals for a penalty were waved away after Clarke Carlisle had connected with Roberts inside the box, but the home side added their third of the game just two minutes later.

Bentley claimed his third assist of the half, swinging in a cross from the right and McCarthy got in front of his marker to glance a diving header into Foster s bottom right-hand corner.
Steve Kabba replaced goalscorer Rinaldi at the break and almost reduced the arrears with his first touch, but his fierce drive from 25 yards out was sensationally saved by Friedel.
At the other end, Rovers almost extended their lead when Roberts broke magnificently from his own half to the edge of the opposition box, before playing in McCarthy, but the South African sliced his shot with a clear sight of goal.

Bentley twice fired narrowly wide from long range late on, but the points were already safe as Rovers climbed back into the top half of the table.
Rovers boss Mark Hughes said after the win: We still think there is an opportunity for us to get UEFA Cup qualification.
There was a lot of disappointment after losing in the FA Cup semi-final at the weekend but we were excellent.

Our attitude was good and we created lots of chances. Hornets manager Aidy Boothroyd added: We re still in there and the games are running out, but we will fight to the bitter end.
It s disappointing as we defended badly and gave away some daft goals.

Jose Mourinho was left feeling fine after his barnstorming Blues again closed the gap on Manchester United to just three points with an emphatic victory that all but closed the relegation trapdoor on West Ham...

Liverpool moved a step closer to ensuring third place in the Premiership after Steven Gerrard lifted a dull encounter with a second-half brace...

Arsenal have announced that long-serving vice-chairman David Dein has left the club with immediate effect...

.
Real Madrid have denied making an offer to Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez to take charge at the Bernabeu next season..

..
Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd hopes his side can shake off the disappointment of missing out on the FA Cup Final by beating Blackburn Rovers in the Premiership at Vicarage Road.

...

Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi has admitted that he feared the hip injury that has ruined his season could have ended his career...

.
Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson remains confident that England will qualify for the Euro 2008 finals in Austria and Switzerland next summer..

..
West Ham United manager Alan Curbishley has accused Carlos Tevez of not giving his all in Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Sheffield United.

...

UEFA has confirmed that the Euro 2012 finals will be held in Poland and Ukraine...

.