Big Sam off to a flyer
New Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce got off to a flyer today as he guided Rovers to a 3-0 home win against Stoke City. The former Bolton and Newcastle manager took over at Ewood Park on Wednesday and judging by today's display, he has certainly had an immediate impact on the player's.
Benni McCarthy opened the scoring for Allardyce's men just ten minutes into proceedings when he slotted home a penalty after Ibrahima Sonko brought down Morten Gamst Pedersen in the box. Jason Roberts doubled the lead for the home side just five minutes later when he netted from close range.
It was 3-0 just before the break when McCarthy bagged his second to end any chances of a possible comeback for Stoke. This result leaves Blackburn just three points off safety and will no doubt come as a massive confidence boost as they enter this busy Christmas period.
Disappointing for Tony Pulis' men who now sit just two points above the relegation zone. It is often said that the appointment of a new manager can have a positive affect on a team and that was definitely the case with Blackburn today. Over the past two months or so under former boss Paul Ince, they looked as though they were going only one way .... down, however with Allardyce in the hot seat they now have a cracking chance of beating the drop.
Elsewhere in the Premier League it finished : Bolton 2-1 Portsmouth, Fulham 3-0 Middlesbrough, Hull City 1-4 Sunderland.