Blackburn Rovers 2 - 0 Sunderland: Hoilett and Yakubu goals give Rovers breathing space

Goals from Junior Hoilett and Ayegbeni Yakubu gave Blackburn a precious victory at home to Sunderland last night and lifted Rovers six points clear of the relegation zone.

The hosts’ perilous position meant they needed the points more than their opponents and they certainly showed more ambition to win the game.

Hoilett broke the deadlock just before the hour and after Black Cats substitute Ji Dong-won missed from four yards Yakubu notched his 14th Barclays Premier League goal late on.

Sunderland defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos, the former Rangers player, made his debut almost two months after joining the club on loan, while Blackburn manager Steve Kean named the same team which beat Wolves at Molineux last time out.

Blackburn made all the running in the first half but couldn’t score. The closest they came was when Phil Bardsley cleared a Yakubu effort off the line.

And the hosts were the first to show in the second half with Mauro Formica meeting Morten Gamst Pedersen’s cross after the first bounce to fire in a shot which Simon Mignolet turned behind.

But the Sunderland goalkeeper was partly at fault for Rovers’ opener in the 59th minute, although credit must go to Hoilett for his instinctive finish. Pedersen directed his long throw at the six-yard box but Mignolet’s attempted punch clear went straight to Hoilett near the penalty spot and he volleyed the ball into the net. The 21-year-old, whose contract is up at the end of the season, also scored both goals at Wolves in their victory last time out and his contribution could prove vital in the battle to avoid relegation.

Martin Olsson beat Nicklas Bendtner to the ball just three yards out to prevent a certain equaliser before Pedersen whipped a free-kick just wide at the other end.

Substitute Ji Dong-Won had Sunderland’s best chance in the 77th minute but blazed over from just four yards with the goal at his mercy.

And then four minutes from time the result was assured when Rovers substitute Bradley Orr crossed for Yakubu to head home another valuable goal.

Blackburn Rovers: Robinson, Lowe, Dann, Hanley, Martin Olsson, Nzonzi, Pedersen, Formica, Hoilett, Marcus Olsson, Yakubu. Subs: Bunn, Givet, Dunn, Modeste, Petrovic, Orr, Goodwillie.

Sunderland: Mignolet, Bardsley, Kyrgiakos, Turner, Bridge, Larsson, Gardner, Vaughan, McClean, Bendtner, Campbell. Subs: Gordon, Wickham, Kilgallon, Colback, Ji, Meyler, Elmohamady.

Referee: M Atkinson. Attendance: 20,056