Sunderland's unbeaten run extended to five, as Jack Clarke stunned Blackburn with a brace to bring home a 3-1 victory for the lads.
Tony Mowbray was returning to Ewood Park on a high, having won the last two games. However, he would be without Pierre Ekwah who picked up an injury at the weekend. Speaking of returns, Bradley Dack didn't get his due to a "slight hamstring tweak."
Blackburn also won at the weekend, they beat struggling Middlesbrough 2-1. Former Peterborough man Sammie Szmodics scored both goals. However, it's looking like their form is following a similar pattern to last season. John Dahl Tomasson's men can't seem to put a run together.
Starting 11: Anthony Patterson, Trai Hume, Luke O'Nien ©, Dan Ballard, Niall Huggins, Dan Neil, Alex Pritchard, Abdoullah Ba, Jobe, Jack Clarke, Mason Burstow
Mowbray made one change to the starting lineup. Alex Pritchard came in for the injured Ekwah. The playmaker had a stunning performance against QPR last Saturday and has looked impressive coming off the bench recently.
Blackburn kicked things off, and kept possession well. It was clear that they were trying to capitalise on the home advantage. After a lively five minute spell from Rovers, Harry Leonard had a really good chance, which was followed up by another really good chance for Blackburn. Thankfully, Dan Ballard was able to block it just in time.
Blackburn were outrunning us, and if it wasn't for another great piece of defending from Ballard we would have been 1-0 down. The Lads needed to wake up because we were being dominated.
Once the game got to the 20 minute mark, we finally got our foot on the ball, and six minutes later Jack Clarke won a penalty, beating his man to a loose ball which resulted in him being caught by his opponent.
Of course Jack Clarke slotted it home because that's what he does. Despite our poor start, we found ourselves 1-0 up.
Tomasson's men responded with urgency, which led to them having another really good chance. The home side just couldn't seem to find the finishing touch. Unfortunately, Dan Ballard collided with Rovers goalkeeper Aynsley Pears and was then escorted off the pitch. Sunderland were left with ten men and Harry Leonard was able to equalise. I can't say it wasn't deserved because they were the better side but it was unfortunate timing.
Ballard then returned to the pitch, luckily he wasn't seriously injured, though he did seem to walk gingerly until the break. not to mention, Mowbray was booked for venting his frustrations.
A good move from the lads led to Abdoullah Ba having a good shot on goal. It looked like the keeper had saved the attempt, but for some reason the referee gave a goal kick.
We then won another corner just before half time, and Dan Neil was able to make it 2-1. It was a good strike that made it's way past the Rovers defenders after the initial delivery was cleared out to Neil.
We were somehow 2-1 up at half time, despite not being at our best. That said, all good sides find a way to win and the fact we scored two goals playing like that is really promising.
Mogga's illuminous green army got the game back underway. Blackburn got the ball into the box, but yet again Dan Ballard defended really well. Lewis Travis forced Anthony Patterson into making a good save, before Leonard headed the ball over the bar. The striker was then booked for a nasty tackle on Niall Huggins. There was definitely more needle in the second half as frustrations began to rise.
Sunderland began to play some good stuff, which led to Tomasson making some changes and bringing on fresh legs for the home side. Mowbray made some changes not long after. Patrick Roberts came on for Mason Burstow, who didn’t have many chances, but is still coming to terms with the Championship. The game was very back and forth, so the three points were far from secured as Blackburn had previously shown how easily they could carve through our defence.
After a short spell of Sunderland dominance, Blackburn substitute Dilan Markanday came close to getting an equaliser, his shot went narrowly wide. Pritchard was then booked for a foul on Andrew Moran.
The game remained open, and Blackburn made an error at the back. Jack Clarke picked up the ball, danced past three defenders and rolled it in to make it 3-0. What a player!
The home side tried to push for an equaliser, but the Lads looked dangerous on the counter. Game management came into play, and we were keeping the ball well in the opposition's half.
Adil Aouchiche was subbed on for Alex Pritchard, and we successfully saw the game out. Much better second half display and we leave Lancashire with another three points in the bag.
ALS Man Of Match - Jack Clarke: Brilliant performance from him tonight, scored two goals and always looked a threat. He's some player that lad. Definitely the best winger in the Championship.
