Blackburn Rovers -3 Fulham -0:With top clubs lining up for his services, the World Cup in store and a fantastic season already in the bag, Damien Duff could be forgiven if he has developed a slightly swollen head.
It is, however, to his credit that the young Irish winger has maintained the modest outlook which has characterised his career to date. Duff's parents were at Ewood Park to see their son pick up his award for club player of the year, and then score a brilliantly-worked goal in between two Andy Cole strikes.
It was Duff's eighth goal of the season, and his seventh in the Premiership, and despite being linked with just about every top English club he insists his heart lies with Blackburn.
"It's nice to be linked with those clubs, it shows you are doing well but I love it at Blackburn. Please God, I will be here next season. I love it here and I don't want to go anywhere. I have a lot of friends here, the lads are great, and once I am settled somewhere I want to stay - that's the type of guy I am."
Rovers' victory was worth around £800,000 as they climbed above Fulham and Middlesbrough into 10th place.
Fulham's season has fizzled out after a good start and FA Cup run, but manager Jean Tigana's assistant Christian Damiano insisted survival had been the main aim, and there is always the Intertoto Cup to look forward to.
Guardian Service
BLACKBURN ROVERS: Kelly, Neill, Berg, Johansson (Unsal 75), Taylor, Gillespie, Tugay (Yordi 82), Dunn, Duff, Cole, Jansen (Hughes 75). Subs Not Used: Curtis, Miller. Booked: Tugay, Neill, Dunn. Goals: Cole 53, Duff 66, Cole 81.
FULHAM: Taylor, Finnan, Melville, Ouaddou (Knight 45), Harley, Goldbaek, Legwinski (Stolcers 83), Davis, Lewis, Marlet (Willock 83), Saha. Subs Not Used: Collins, Hahnemann.
Referee: C Foy
