Blackburn Rovers relegated from Premier League as Antolin Alcaraz scores only ... - Telegraph.co.uk

Still the protests continued. There was another pitch invasion in the second half, a human one this time, as a fan threw his season ticket away. It was hardly the most dramatic of gestures, this being Rovers final home game of the season, but it still drew widespread applause.

Kean has been the target for the chorus of disapproval primarily because he is not that good and also because he represents the Venky's. Once again, the Venky's should have been there to protect Kean, to take some of the heat off him. Instead, Kean stood at the edge of his technical area, almost as far from the maddened crowd as he could, and endured all the chants. "Kean Out, Kean Out, Kean Out".

Ewood Park turned into a bear-pit. For all his failings, there had to be some sympathy for Kean. Nobody deserves this level of abuse. When the final whistle confirmed Blackburn's fate, Kean did not move. Even when he was pelted with tennis balls with "Kean Out" written on them.

Even when 30 fans ran from the Blackburn End, waving banners. His bodyguard had seen enough and ushered the Scot down the tunnel. Smart move. Behind him, the big screen carried a note to the fans: "Thank you for your support this season".

The frustration for Blackburn fans is that they have some good players. Paul Robinson has made some exceptional saves, David Dunn has given everything for the cause while Yakubu and Junior Hoilett are talented attackers. The deepening sadness for Blackburn fans is that such individuals will leave. But what on earth is Anthony Modeste doing in Blackburn's famous strip?

As Blackburn slid down a snake, Wigan climbed the ladder to safety.

Up in the Darwen End, Wigan fans danced in jubilation. Antolin Alcaraz's late header guaranteed survival for their jubilant fans, who had sung "I'm a believer" for much of this game. From board-room to dressing-room via the terraces, Wigan have been as galvanised and united as Rovers have been divided.

Wigan exude all the leadership that Rovers lack. Dave Whelan, the Wigan owner and former Blackburn player, deserves huge credit. He stayed calm when the team were bottom, backing Roberto Martínez and believing in the players. Typically, Whelan was dignified in victory, expressing sadness at seeing his old club relegated. If only the Venky's had even one per cent of Whelan's wisdom and compassion.

Martínez was similarly restrained, scarcely celebrating when Alcaraz scored, demonstrating managerial-union respect for Kean. Yet Martínez's response to adversity has been admirable. He's showed his tactical nous, working on a 3-4-3 system which clearly suited his players.

As Wigan won six out of eight, Al Habsi kept making magnificent saves.

Gary Caldwell was immense at the back, tackling and organising. Victor Moses enjoyed his licence to roam while Franco Di Santo was transformed into a line-leading goalscorer.

Wigan controlled a first half notable for the chicken run. Inevitably the rooster became a darling on the social-media scene, boasting seven Twitter accounts by half-time. As Rovers fans chanted "no shots on target", Morten Gamst Pedersen lined up a free-kick on the right. It disappeared wide, prompting chants of "that's why you're going down" from Wigan fans.

Rovers suffered a blow when Dunn hobbled away, having sustained a knock in making one of countless tackles. After the break, Kean's team were brighter, Yakubu having a shot blocked and Hoilett should have been given a penalty when clearly fouled by Emmerson Boyce. But then came Alcaraz, heading in Jean Beausejour's corner. Venky's have a mess to address.