MORTEN Gamst Pedersen's career has turned full circle in three magic years with Blackburn Rovers.

When the midfielder from the Artic Circle first arrived at Ewood Park in September 2004, he was quickly hailed as the Norwegian David Beckham'.

Now fans of Major League Soccer team, LA Galaxy, are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the English Morten Gamst Pedersen' following Beckham's capture from Real Madrid.

In fact, rumour has it Becks has already been lined up to star in the new Hollywood blockbuster Bend it like Pedersen', which could hit the big screen later this year.

Jokes aside, there were some who used to scoff when comparisons were being made between Beckham and Pedersen, claiming the only thing they had in common was the same hairstylist.

But, while Beckham's star has since waned, Pedersen's rise has been meteoric, to the point where his reputation for deadball sorcery now arguably eclipses that of the former England captain.

When, for instance, can you last remember seeing Beckham score from a free kick?

Pedersen, on the other hand, seems to be doing it in his sleep these days, and Premiership goalkeepers are powerless to stop him.

Sheffield United's Paddy Kenny, considered to be one of the better custodians in the Premier League, was left rooted to the spot by the sheer quality of Pedersen's injury time winner at a fog-bound Ewood Park on Saturday.

But the Blades stopper should not feel embarrassed about the fact he was left clutching thin air because he is in good company; Everton's Tim Howard and Manchester City's Nicky Weaver have also suffered a similar fate at the hands of Mark Hughes' smiling assassin since the turn of the year.

The script was written for David Dunn to celebrate his homecoming by climbing off the bench and grabbing the winner.

Instead, Blackburn's favourite son had to be content with an assist' as it was his driving run that drew the foul which led to Pedersen's latest goal of the season contender.

Normally speaking, Dunn, who is a deadball specialist himself, would have fancied his chances from that kind of range, but such is Pedersen's prowess in those situations, he was happy to step aside and let Rovers' chief alchemist weave his magic.

"I can't see anyone else getting them off Morten at the minute. He's fantastic at that," said Dunn appreciatively.

"They talk about David Beckham scoring free-kicks, but I'd say Morten's every bit as good as him.

"It's such a difficult skill to hit the ball with that kind of pace and get it over the wall and down again. He's top drawer."

Those thoughts were also echoed by Hughes, who is well qualified to assess Pedersen's pedigree, having played and worked with some of the game's leading exponents of the deadball art.

"Possibly there is a bit of David Beckham about him," said Rovers' manager.

"He is likened to him in his own country because of the way he looks and whatever - he is certainly better looking than I am!

"Beckham was one of the best set-piece experts in my time at Manchester United and Ryan Giggs before him.

"When David first burst onto the scene he used to take more than he gets chance to these days.

"But I would say Morten is up there with him - he has great ability in those situations."

Pedersen was ultimately the difference between these two sides on the day, a point begrudgingly acknowledged by Sheffield United's colourful manager Neil Warnock.

"I don't think Pedersen really did that much today, but that's quality for you," bemoaned the Blades boss.

Usually such a meticulous planner, Warnock had clearly not seen the video of Blackburn's recent victory at Manchester City, where the in-form Pedersen scored two carbon copies of the goals he grabbed here.

The first was a back-post header from a right-wing cross, only this time Brett Emerton supplied the ammunition rather than David Bentley, who, incidentally, was again outstanding.

The second - the free kick - was virtually identical to the one that snaked past Weaver a fortnight earlier, and equally unstoppable.

After scoring just two goals in his last 25 appearances of 2006, Pedersen has now scored six in eight appearances since the start of 2007 - a purple patch that has also coincided with Rovers surging from 14th to ninth position in the Premier League table.

In fairness, even Hughes admitted they were lucky to claim the three points on offer here.

United are a horrible side to play against and they revel in upsetting opponents - a feat they achieved even before kick-off by winning the toss and inviting Rovers to kick towards the Blackburn End in the first half!

Rovers struggled to cope with their direct style and they might have found themselves 2-0 down inside the opening 10 minutes, Rob Hulse striking a post with a shot on the turn, then Nick Montgomery volleying wide from six yards out.

The loss of Matt Derbyshire to a thigh injury hardly helped Blackburn's cause, but then, out of the blue, they created a goal for Pedersen with a rare piece of fluid football.

Stephen Warnock and Tugay spread the play from left to right, and when the ball eventually arrived at Emerton's feet, the Aussie cleverly drew two defenders before crossing to the far post, where Pedersen towered above his marker to plant a thumping header past Kenny.

That lead lasted just three minutes before parity was restored.

Hulse got the better of Ryan Nelsen in the air and flicked the ball on to former Rover Jonathan Stead, who chested it down and squeezed a low shot past Brad Friedel from six yards out: 1-1.

Determined to upset Rovers' rhythm, United trod a fine line at times, and Bentley, in particular, seemed to be singled out for some rough treatment as Michael Tonge, Chris Lucketti and Hulse all took it in turns to upend him.

Still, Rovers could have gone in leading at the break had Pedersen not fluffed a golden chance, then Kenny saved from Bentley, and Jason Roberts, who was back on the scene after three months out with a broken metatarsal, drilled another effort wide.

With the clock ticking, Hughes summoned Dunn from the bench, hoping the midfielder could provide some much-needed inspiration, but Rovers' hopes of victory appeared to disappear when Warnock was rather harshly sent off for a second bookable offence in the 88th minute.

However, there was still time for one last twist.

In the 92nd minute, Dunn embarked on one of his slaloming runs, which drew a foul from Tonge, and Pedersen did the rest.

Who needs Becks when you've got the real thing?