Blackburn stroll to first win against Wolves

Blackburn beat Wolves 3-1 at home on Saturday to secure their first victory of the Premier League season.

A draw and two defeats had left the Lancashire side languishing in the bottom three prior to the international break, but goals from El-Hadji Diouf, Jason Roberts and David Dunn secured three points that took them into mid-table.

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.

An injury to Wolves captain Jody Craddock gave Christophe Berra a first Premier League start at centre-back, and the Scotland international spurned an early chance when he lashed wide after Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson fumbled a free-kick.

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.

Roberts touched home Gael Givet’s header from a Dunn corner on 55 minutes to double the hosts’ advantage, with Dunn putting the game beyond the Midlanders when he tucked away from close range after Hennessey had denied Roberts.

The second half turned into a stroll for the home side, allowing Allardyce to give Brett Emerton his first taste of first-team action after an eight-month spell on the sidelines and hand a debut to former Real Madrid right-back Michel Salgado.

Maierhofer rescued a modicum of pride for the away side with a last-minute debut goal after Blackburn had failed to clear a corner.