Unofficial Champions of England: Blackburn Rovers 7-0 Nottingham Forest, 18/11/1995

Alan Shearer celebrates his first goal

Battle of the Champions: the Premier League Champions versus the Unofficial English Champions for all the marbles.

Nottingham Forest had a three game run as champions, defending their title against Bolton Wanderers, Queens Park Rangers and gaining an impressive 4-1 win against Wimbledon. Blackburn had been on an indifferent run of form since winning the Premier League but with someone like Alan Shearer in their side, they could never be written off.

It took 20 minutes for Shearer to open the scoring, getting on the end of Mike Newell's knock-down from Stuart Ripley's cross.
Shearer turned provider for the second, receiving the ball on the edge of the box and laying it off for Lars Bohinen to score against his former club.

Rovers had to wait until the second half to add to their lead, Shearer headed in from Ripley's corner.
Things got worse for Forest when defender Steve Chettle received a second yellow card for a foul on Shearer. To further add salt to the wound, Shearer scored from the free-kick to complete his hat-trick.
It was 5-0 when Forest failed to clear a free-kick and Bohinen came charging in for his second goal of the game with a half-volley from edge of the penalty area.
Newell got himself on the scoresheet, turning in Shearer's low cross. Three goals and two assists for Shearer, not a bad days work for the Premier Leagues all time leading goalscorer.
Arguably the goal of the game came in the last minute when Graeme Le Saux received the ball 35 yards out before pinging it back into the top corner.

Blackburn's third Unofficial Championship and the first time since inaugural champions Manchester United that the Premier League champions were the Unofficial Champions as well.