Junior stands tall
Canadian scores as Blackburn boost survival bid
LONDON: Junior Hoilett was all smiles as he continued his crusade to keep black burn Rovers in the top flight with another priceless goal in the 2-0 win over Sunderland on Tuesday.
The Canadian flier looks likely to be on his way out of Ewood Park in the summer, with his contract due to expire at the end of the season.
But the Arsenal target seems determined to leave Blackburn fans with something to remember him by.
Eleven days ago, his two goals in the relegation tussle with Wolves gave Blackburn the points – and he was on the scoresheet again on 58 minutes on Tuesday.
Ayegbeni Yakubu nodded in his 15th goal of the season late on and suddenly Blackburn climbed six points clear of the drop zone.
It was the 50th Premier League match of Blackburn boss Steve Kean’s turbulent Ewood reign and he knew a win would bring up his half-century of points, too. It is the first time he has won back-to-back league fixtures since he replaced Sam Allardyce in December 2010 – and it could not have been more timely.
One look at the foot of the table and their run-in showed why this was a crucial game for Blackburn.
With Sunderland now safe and an FA Cup quarter-final replay looming next week, it looked like a good time to play the Black Cats, too.
The reverse fixture back in December was Martin O’neill’s first game in charge and it has been up, up and away for the Wearsiders ever since.
But it was almost the home side making a perfect start as livewire Hoilett sent Yakubu racing clear. Simon Mignolet got a glove on the Nigerian’s shot and Phil Bardsley got back to clear off the line.
They had another chance minutes later but grant hanley headed over from morten Gamst Pedersen’s whipped free-kick.
Apart from that, though, it was a first half devoid of any action or atmosphere and the second 45 minutes simply had to be better. Luckily, they were. First, Pedersen’s cross found Mauro Formica, whose volley from the edge of the box brought a smart save out of Mignolet.
That lifted the crowd and they were rewardedjust before the hour as Blackburn went ahead through Hoilett.
Pedersen’s long throw caused confusion in the box as Sotorios Kyrgiakos got in the way of Mignolet. The ball fell nicely for Hoilett, who volleyed in from 12 yards.
Another long throw from Norwegian Pedersen moments later could have seen Blackburn double their lead but Scott Dann’s header was just wide.
Getting the ball to Hoilett seemed to be Blackburn’s best plan and he soon thumped another shot over the bar.
The Black Cats had looked a team going through the motions but they were almost level 20 minutes from time.
Seb Larsson’s low cross seemed like it would be tapped in by Nicklas Bendtner but Martin Olsson made a superb clearance.
It emphasised how slender Blackburn’s advantage was – particularly when you considered their clean sheet at Wolves last time out was their first since April 30 last year.
Pedersen was inches wide with a trademark free-kick, which could have settled a few nerves.
Sunderland substitute Ji Dong-won – who hit a famous winner over Manchester City earlier this term – spurned a glorious chance to make himself a hero again when he fired over with the goal at his mercy from Larsson’s cross.
Yet Blackburn’s doubts were banished four minutes from time when Steven Nzonzi fed sub Bradley Orr on the right.
His cross was perfect for Yakubu, who headed past Belgian goalkeeper Mignolet and continued his impressive first season in East Lancashire. — The Sun, London