Two off as Spurs hold Rovers

Veteran Blackburn playmaker Tugay endured the highs and lows of football as his side had to settle for a point at home to Tottenham. He made the breakthrough with a stunning 25-yard volley only to be sent off in an incident which led to Spurs' equaliser.

Tugay was adjudged to have hauled back Hossam Ghaly, and Jermain Defoe scored from the penalty spot.

Ghaly was later sent off in this Barclays Premiership match between the UEFA Cup contenders.

Shabani Nonda found the net for Blackburn after only seven minutes following a through ball from David Bentley - but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Tottenham responded two minutes later, and Young-Pyo Lee swung in a deep cross from the right - forcing Brett Emerton to head over his own bar.

Then Edgar Davids tried his luck from 25 yards, only to see his effort whistle past the post.

A poor clearance from Andre Ooijer was picked up by Mido, who snatched at the half-chance in the 14th minute and failed to test goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

Blackburn took the lead in the 22nd minute with a stunning 25-yard volley from Tugay which gave England number one Paul Robinson no chance at all.

The former Turkey player, 36, latched on to a clearance from Ledley King to fire an unstoppable shot into the corner.

It was only Tugay's second goal of the season, and the other was something special as well - an instinctive strike from distance in the UEFA Cup victory against Basle.

Tottenham were rattled, and Mido was booked in the 26th minute after a tussle with Stephane Henchoz.

Defoe then got away from Henchoz and fired in a shot which Friedel did well to parry in the 33rd minute.

Blackburn were again on the back foot three minutes later when Defoe made space for himself on the edge of the area, but his effort cleared the bar.

Defoe was looking lively up front, but Tottenham were struggling to get their game together in the winter chill.

Blackburn carved out a good opening in the 43rd minute when Emerton delivered a cross from the right. Morten Gamst Pedersen came in at the back post but was marginally off target with his header.

Mido twice found room in stoppage time, but on each occasion his finish was wasteful.

The Egyptian glanced a header into the net in the 47th minute, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.

However, it was a warning shot to Blackburn and emphasised just how slim their advantage was.

Tottenham were beginning to knock the ball around, and Defoe was putting in a hard shift.

They drew level in the 61st minute when Defoe scored from the penalty spot, after Tugay was ruled to have brought down Ghaly.

Referee Phil Dowd made the decision after speaking to his assistant.

To make matter worse for the home side Tugay was sent off - leaving them with 10 men.

Blackburn then had loud appeals for a penalty waved away when Mido appeared to handle in the penalty area.

Manager Mark Hughes was enraged at what he saw was a clear injustice.

With a man to the good, Tottenham continued to press forward in a difficult spell for Blackburn.

Benni McCarthy almost regained the lead for Blackburn in the 78th minute after a cross from Michael Gray.

He back-heeled the ball from six yards out, but Robinson was alert and made the save.

Ghaly was dismissed in stoppage time for elbowing Gray.