Blackburn 3-2 Burnley: Rovers Edge Five-Goal Thriller

Blackburn Rovers came from behind and won a highly entertaining encounter against Burnley at Ewood Park.

Robbie Blake opened the scoring for the visitors, but goals from David Dunn, Franco Di Santo, and Pascal Chimbonda ensured that Rovers walked away with a fantastic win against their rivals. A late goal from Chris Eagles was only academic, as it only served to make the scoreline look better.

It was derby day in Lancashire, as the two sides clashed in a highly entertaining encounter that showcased great grit and determination from both sets of players.

The two clubs had not met in the top flight for over four decades, and the Clarets' fans were in Ewood Park well ahead of kick-off. The anticipation among the fans rose to fever pitch as the referee got things under way.

Less than five minutes had passed, when Burnley drew first blood. The visitors broke on a counter-attack, culminating with Blake sending a sensational right-footed strike that went into the top-left corner.

It did not take long for the home side to come up with an answer to the goal conceded, as local hero Dunn drilled one from the centre of the box, which found its way into the bottom corner leaving goalkeeper Brian Jensen with no chance.

Sam Allardyce's charges appeared to be charged up for this encounter, as they managed to come from behind to take the lead after 20 minutes. Blake gave away a free kick for a tackle on Lars Jacobsen. Dunn sent the ball in, and a poor clearance from the Clarets saw the ball fall to Di Santo, who had no problem heading the ball home from close range. The Chelsea hitman, currently on-loan with Rovers, received a yellow card for his celebration with the home fans.

With only two minutes to go before half-time, Owen Coyle's men were dealt a body blow after some poor defending by Steven Fletcher, which enabled Chimbonda to cut in and send a low drive into the far corner.

The manager may have had some harsh words to say to his team, as the Burnley back line looked a lot more solid following the break. Di Santo made a few threatening runs on the left, but the defenders had no problem dealing with the attacks that came their way.

At the other end, Blackburn were having troubles of their own, as some poor marking almost resulted in a goal from a corner, but substitute Eagles fired well over the bar.

With 15 minutes left to go, Allardyce chose to replace youth with experience, as Jason Roberts came on for Di Santo, who was given a rousing applause for his contribution in the derby. Meanwhile, Coyle sent Kevin McDonald on in place of Andre Bikey in an attempt to go all-out attack.

The attacking intent was seen late on, as Eagles unleashed a fantastic low shot from the left, but Robinson produced a fingertip save to keep the scoreline unchanged. But the Burnley player triumphed in the next attack, as Eagles' left footed shot got past the 'keeper deep into stoppage time.

It was frantic defending from Rovers, as a match that started dramatically promised to end in a similar fashion. But the hosts somehow managed to hold on to the slender lead and see out the remainder of the added time to emerge triumphant in the 92nd Lancashire derby.