We all remember THAT 5-0 win on April 1, but 12 months before the demolition job on Burnley, Rovers also hit Sheffield United for five at Ewood Park.

Twenty years ago today, they put five unanswered goals past Sheffield United, with new boss Graeme Souness still fervently chasing what he described as mission impossible - a place in the Championship play-offs with six games to go.

"As we've said all along, reaching the play-offs is an 'impossible' task. There's only a very slim chance of getting ourselves there," he said.

"Unfortunately, the teams above us keep winning as well.

"But we'll just keep plugging away.

"It's still vital, even if we lose a game, that the players keep going as they have been doing in the last few matches.

"Because I have to make some very important decisions."

There were some fine goals to admire but, crucially, it was all about matching the Sheffield steel.

Rovers were as clinical as the facts testify, starting in their first attack.

Egil Ostenstad played a superb pass to release Duff down the left, the winger cut inside, outpacing any pursuers, and calmly struck his shot under the diving keeper.

At the end of a niggly, bad-tempered half Rovers grabbed a vital second.

Dunn's low centre deflected off Lee Sandford nicely into the path of Ashley Ward who stabbed it home from a couple of yards.

Midway through the second half, it was all over. Jason McAteer found Ostenstad charging down the inside-left channel, in acres of space.

The keeper rushed out rather hastily, Ostenstad rounded him and, despite a tight angle and a defender on the line, justified his manager's comments by finishing cool as you like.

Rovers then staged the grand finale, sub Matt Jansen having a big say in the closing stages when there could also have been a penalty for handling in the United box.

Jansen did really well to fight off a couple of challenges in the 82nd minute and find Garry Flitcroft, whose pass along the edge of the penalty area fell perfectly for Duff. He took a step forward before driving a precision shot through the legs of a defender - perhaps with a slight deflection - and in off the foot of the far post.

With a minute of normal time remaining, two subs combined brilliantly as Damien Johnson played Jansen in and the striker advanced a couple of paces before striking the ball lethally past a helpless keeper.

Souness also feels the fact that Rovers have had such immense backing from Jack Walker has been a two-edged sword.

"I think Blackburn has suffered because of Mr Walker's fame," he said.

"The money's been thrown at it so it must work. But everyone will tell you that's not the case and never will be."

Souness had warned of Sheffield United's "aggressive" approach before the game and was pleased by his players' response.

"When you play against a team like Sheffield United, the first thing you have to match them for is their effort, challenge for challenge," he said.

"We did that from the first minute to the last and, in the end, we bossed that department.

"Along the way we got the goals which maybe caused one or two of their heads to drop.

"We are still looking for more football to be played but right now I'll settle for what we are getting and the determination to win games. Scoring five goals is a real bonus.

"I thought the crowd saw their team work really hard, score goals and outfight a team that is regarded as a real fighting team with lots of spirit.

"So they are the pleasing things to me.

"But I'm not kidding myself. I want us to play more football when the time is right."