Allardyce Gets Dream Start As Blackburn Rovers Batter Stoke City

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Upon Sam Allardyce's installation at Ewood Park certain comparisons could be drawn between Blackburn Rovers and Tottenham Hotspur.

Both Juande Ramos and Paul Ince had both proved to be competent managers in other leagues (albeit one more superior to the other), yet failed in England’s top flight. Yet with the appointment of a new manager at Tottenham results instantly improved, and Big Sam got the Blue-and-White-halved Rovers on song again against the Potters this afternoon with a 3-0 scoreline that should have caused the Rovers as much embarrasment as it did Stoke City.

By no means were Allardyce's side the superior team, and it is a wonder how Stoke failed to net at least one goal considering how dominant they were in possession, how forcifully they exerted their game onto Blackburn, and how many attacks they had, but all were impotent.

Blackburn took what few chances they had and seemingly scored from every single one of them.

A cagey opening was interrupted with an ninth minute penalty when Amady Faye brought down Mortan Gamst Pedersen in the area and referee Peter Walton was quick to point to the spot. South African striker Benedict McCarthy duly converted the penalty to provide the Rovers with the first of their three goals.

The home side only needed eight minutes to double their advantage, this time McCarthy playing the role of provider, as he sets up team-mate Jason Roberts in the area who bundles home a scrappy goal.

Allardyce's army wrapped up the tie with an hour to go when that man McCarthy slipped a shot passed Simonson after the stand in 'keeper initially parried Benny's first.

That's not to say Stoke did not have their chances, far from it. The Potters played a good passing game and Fuller was supplied with plenty of ammo but misfired throughout the first half.

Tony Pulis will no doubt be looking at the defensive areas when training resumes on the monday, as lapses at the back contributed to their downfall.

Blackburn formed a more eye-pleasing tactic in the second half, with Pedersen looking to secure a fourth. His ability from dead ball situations was poor, but he linked up well with Tugay and forced a commendable save from Simonsen.

Stoke City though were the latest team to succumb to a loss to an opposition that revelled in 'New Manager Syndrome,' as Big Sam managed to end a roving run of six defeats on the trot.

Blackburn:

Robinson - Ooijer; Samba; Nelsen; Warnock - Emerton (Simpson 85); Dunn; (Kerimoglu 70); Andrews; Pedersen - McCarthy (Derbyshire 79); Roberts.

Stoke:

Simonsen - Shawcross; Sonko; Abdoulaye Faye; Higginbotham = Delap (Soares 59); Whelan; Amdy Faye (Olofinjana 75); Cresswell - Pericard (Tonge 59) - Fuller.

Goals: McCarthy 9 (pen); Roberts 18; McCarthy 27.

Att: 23,004

Ref: Peter Walton.