Premier League: Stoke City 3 Blackburn 1

Stoke City ruined news of Steve Kean’s improved contract with a 3-1 win over Blackburn Rovers at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.

Rory Delap’s header put the hosts in front before a deflected Glenn Whelan strike helped relieve pressure from a battling Blackburn side.

Peter Crouch heaped further misery on the visitors with a cool finish which helped the Potters end a poor run which had seen them lose their past four Premier League fixtures.

Despite Ruben Rochina’s late consolation, Rovers remain in the relegation zone after the defeat and growing fan hostility toward their manager and owners was clear to see.

The hosts showed their intent early on as Crouch just failed to make clear contact in the box and saw his header loop over the Blackburn bar.

However, that chance was to prove a rare highlight of opening exchanges punctuated by long punts up-field from both sides.

Delap and Morten Gamst-Pedersen traded long throw-ins throughout, which were impressively repelled with defences on top from the start.

Steven Nzonzi soon gave the Stoke crowd something to cheer about, however, as his needless hack at Crouch gave the hosts a promising free-kick at the edge of the box.

The midfielder had been lucky to escape retribution for an earlier flailing arm which caught the Potters’ Whelan but received his just desserts here in the shape of a Stoke goal.

Jermaine Pennant’s curving delivery met the run of Delap, who had ghosted in front of Gael Givet with ease, and he made no mistake in nodding into the far corner to the put the hosts in front.

Buoyed by the goal, the Potters continued to pressure the visitors with Crouch and Pennant almost linking up on several occasions to cause chaos in the Blackburn defence.

However, Rovers have gained a reputation for fighting spirit if nothing else under Kean and rallied to create late chances in the first half.

Kean appeared to have proved his worth at half-time as a renewed Blackburn came out with a clear change in attitude.

The visitors threatened just seconds into the half as Yakubu’s shot from the edge of the area was desperately blocked to concede a corner.

Just moments later Rochina’s brilliant slalom run and backheel deceived three Stoke defenders but, unfortunately for Rovers, also Formica whose wild swing missed the ball completely just yards out.

Kean’s side looked the most likely as the half progressed but their attacking intent came at the expense of defensive solidarity as they were to find out minutes later.

A Crouch defensive header broke to winger Matt Etherington whose pull back was held up well by Jon Walters before being laid off for Whelan to hammer home.

The goal typified Blackburn’s luck, deflecting off Ryan Lowe and Dann in beating Paul Robinson, but was no more than Tony Pulis’ side deserved.

Given Blackburn’s consistent threat on the break, Pulis looked to solidify his midfield replacing a disappointed Pennant with Dean Whitehead in the 71st minute.

The Welshman did not need worry about the opposition however as just seconds later a long punt from the Stoke defence beat the Blackburn defence easily and allowed Crouch to slide the ball across Robinson on his left foot.

The visitors looked well and truly beaten after the third and almost saw their misery compiled as an exchange between Walters and Crouch saw the former smash the ball just beyond the far post.

Blackburn did grab a late boost however as some wonderful passing work saw the impressive Rochina work space to smash a brilliant consolation beyond Thomas Sorenson.

Yet there was little to celebrate for Kean’s side as this most recent late show will do little to quell the doubters in Lancashire.