Blackburn stroll to first win against Wolves

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce made one change to the side that drew 0-0 at home to West Ham, with Senegalese winger Diouf slotting into the starting line-up in place of injured France youth international Steven Nzonzi. Blackburn, though, made an assured start amid bright autumnal sunshine at Ewood Park and took the lead in the […]

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce made one change to the side that drew 0-0 at home to West Ham, with Senegalese winger Diouf slotting into the starting line-up in place of injured France youth international Steven Nzonzi.

Blackburn, though, made an assured start amid bright autumnal sunshine at Ewood Park and took the lead in the 18th minute when Diouf charged down Michael Mancienne’s clearance before squeezing the ball through the legs of Wayne Hennessey in the visitors’ goals.

Kevin Doyle almost produced an immediate response but his effort was ruled out for offside before Hennessey did well to prevent first Christopher Samba and then Keith Andrews from doubling Rovers’ lead.

Morten Gamst Pedersen came even closer for the hosts on the stroke of half-time, curling a trademark free-kick against the outside of the post, and Wolves were fortunate to be only a goal down at the interval.

Mick McCarthy made two changes at the break for Wolves, with Wales international David Edwards and giant Austrian striker Stefan Maierhofer entering the fray.

Debutant Maierhofer gave the visitors more of an attacking outlet and they began the half in positive fashion, but within 20 minutes they were 3-0 down.