Blackburn Rovers reached their first major cup final in 42 years when they beat first division Sheffield Wednesday 4-2 in the second leg of the Worthington Cup semi-final tonight. Blackburn had won the first leg 2-1 and will play Chelsea or Tottenham Hotspur in the final on February 24 in Cardiff.
Matt Jansen opened the scoring for Blackburn in the 35th minute with Republic of Ireland international Damien Duff putting Blackburn 2-0 up two minutes later. Blackburn captain Gary Flitcroft was sent off early in the second half for a tackle on midfielder Trond-Egil Soltvedt and minutes later Efan Ekoku pulled one back from the penalty spot after a Blackburn handball in the area.
Andy Cole, the former Manchester United striker, put the result beyond doubt eight minutes from time by netting from close range from a Duff cross. Soltvedt scored a consolation goal for Wednesday three minutes later but Hignett slotted home almost immediately to restore Blackburn's two-goal lead and seal victory.
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
