It’s Rover and rout
BEN DOUBLE SINKS BRUM
TONY MOWBRAY’S barnstorming Blackburn are breathing down the necks of Fulham and Bournemouth after a fifth consecutive win.
And that is even more impressive when you consider they were pummelled 7-0 at Ewood Park by the Cottagers at the beginning of last month.
Now both Fulham and Scott Parker’s Cherries, who were beaten by a revitalised Rovers last weekend, are anxiously looking over their shoulders while West Brom have already been leapfrogged.
The constant message on the scoreboard was to get boosted – in football terms third-placed Rovers are turbo charged.
Mowbray said: “Any team that carries the threat we have and is looking as solid as we are at the moment is going to win games.
“We knew we could go third but I’m sure over the years Rovers fans have come along and been let down.
“The excitement and energy is there and you think ‘here we go’ and it’s great we could find the performance and result. But it’s still only halfway through the season.”
Brum were always playing catch up from the sixth minute when keeper Matija Sarkic handed out an early Christmas present gift wrapped for John Buckley.
Still buzzing after the win at Bournemouth, Ryan Nyambe controlled Jan Paul van Hecke’s long ball then sped past Kristian Pedersen.
When his low cross was spilled by Sarkic, Buckley pounced steering the loose ball into an empty net.
For much of the opening half dominated by the home side, Blues skipper Troy Deeney cut a forlorn figure although striking partner Chuks Aneke offered some hope with a snapshot off the bar.
And there was no way back when just after the break the speedy Reda Khadra rounded Sarkic and calmly slotted home.
It was now damage limitation for Lee Bowyer’s side who have only won once in seven games, but it was soon 3-0. Chile’s inform striker Ben Breretondiaz was felled in the box before picking himself up to fire in an 18th goal of a prolific season.
He was not finished, and goal No.19 arrived from a neat cross from sub Dan Butterworth.
Bowyer said: “They are a good side and have quality all over the park. We were out of our depth today. We helped them on their way.
“The goals we conceded were not acceptable.”