Blackburn Rovers relegated as Wigan survive
Reuters - Monday 07 May 2012, 22:38
Blackburn Rovers were relegated
from the Premier League on Monday after losing 1-0 at home to
Wigan Athletic who ensured their survival in the top flight with
the victory.
Wigan defender Antolin Alcaraz scored with a header three
minutes from time to end Blackburn's 11-year stay in the Premier
League after a dismal season in which they have won just eight
of their 37 league matches under manager Steve Kean.
"It is difficult to put into words what the atmosphere is
like in the dressing room," Kean told reporters.
"A few things were thrown our way in the media last week,
questioning our attitude, but I felt tonight we gave it a real
good go.
"The disappointing thing is we couldn't take it to the last
game. I will sit down with the owners and discuss a plan on how
to assemble a squad to help us bounce back up."
Rovers, champions in 1995, joined Wolverhampton Wanderers in
dropping to the championship as Wigan climbed to 15th in the
standings, securing their top-flight status with one game left
following a superb late run including wins over champions
Manchester United and Arsenal.
"It doesn't seem real yet," Wigan manager Roberto Martinez
told Sky Sports. "Is a great feeling. It was a difficult game,
you could feel the tension and it was a cagey affair. But
staying up is an incredible achievement."
Bolton Wanderers or Queens Park Rangers will join Wolves and
Blackburn in the Championship next season.
Bolton, two points behind QPR, must beat Stoke City on
Sunday to have any chance of survival and Rangers need a point
at Premier League leaders Manchester City to guarantee staying
up.