Blackburn 1 Chelsea 0:  Blackburn will be playing Uefa Cup football next season after Republic of Ireland international Steven Reid's first-half effort gave them a 1-0 win over Chelsea at Ewood Park.

A disappointing opening 27 minutes finally burst into life when Craig Bellamy flicked an effort against the bar from Michael Gray's cross before David Bentley somehow headed the rebound wide from four yards.

At the other end the visitors were unlucky not to draw level when Eidur Gujohnsen slid in to volley Geremi's centre against a post.

But the deadlock was broken in the 43rd minute when Robbie Savage's curling free-kick from the left was flicked home, albeit with the faintest of touches, by Reid.

Gudjohnsen and Savage traded efforts at the start of the second period as the champions came out looking hungrier.

Chelsea introduced Joe Cole for the ineffective Shaun Wright-Phillips midway through the half and the England man forced Brad Friedel into a fine stop from 20 yards.

Frank Lampard and Hernan Crespo both had decent claims for a penalty turned down as the visitors piled forward late on but Rovers held on to secure their place in Europe for next season.