HOW WE'VE FARED V BLACKBURN
Over the last 135 years, Sunderland have played Blackburn Rovers 144 times and have secured 61 wins, 32 draws and 51 defeats. The Lads have had some good games against Rovers over the years…
SUNDERLAND 6-1 BLACKBURN ROVERS - DIVISION 1 - 1892
Let’s start with a Johnny Campbell masterclass, this game took place during Sunderland’s first ever title winning campaign. It was the 16th of April 1892 and if Tom Watson’s men defeated Thomas Mitchell’s Blackburn, they would be crowned champions. Johnny Campbell put the Lads 1-0 up in the 8th minute, but Rovers had some hope when Coombe Hall equalised in the 22nd minute. But that didn’t stop Sunderland, because Jimmy Millar put the Lads 2-1 up one minute later. Sunderland were not finished there, Johnny Campbell put the Lads 3-1 up in the 40th minute. The first half ended 3-1 and Sunderland were well and truly on course to become champions. Campbell turned up the heat in the second half bagging another two goals in the 75th and 85th minute. Just when you thought it was all over, Jimmy Hannah sealed the deal in the 88th minute. The game ended 6-1 and Sunderland were crowned champions of England.
SUNDERLAND 7-2 BLACKBURN ROVERS - DIVISION 1 - 1935
From one big win to another, Sunderland defeated Blackburn 7-2 in 1935. It was the 21st of September 1935, Johnny Cochrane’s Black Cats were hosting Arthur Barritt’s Rovers at Roker Park. Bert Davis opened the scoresheet for the Lads in the 10th minute, Patsy Gallacher then found the second ten minutes later. Bob Pryde pulled one back in the 32nd minute, but Gallacher secured his brace seven minutes later. The Lads went into half time 3-1 up, and Cochrane’s men were looking dominant going into the second half. Sunderland icon Raich Carter scored the fourth in the 55th minute, and the Black Cats all time top goal scorer Bobby Gurney bagged the fifth in the 73rd minute. Sunderland were running riot, but Jack Bruton scored for Blackburn in the 76th minute, that proved to be nothing other than a consolation goal. Gallacher and Gurney wrapped things up and the game ended 7-2. A fantastic display from the Lads, performances like this were the reason they won the title later that season.
BLACKBURN ROVERS 6-1 SUNDERLAND - DIVISION 1 - 1986
This game certainly didn’t go to plan for the Lads. It was the 6th of September 1986 and Lawrie McMenemy’s Black Cats travelled down to Ewood Park to take on Bobby Saxton’s Rovers. Let’s just say Simon Garner tore Sunderland to shreds. Garner got his first goal in the 16th minute, and the goals began rolling in from there. In the 21st minute Garner scored his second, 12 minutes later he completed his hattrick. The first half ended 3-0 Blackburn, McMenemy must have been furious with his team's spineless first half display. Things didn’t get any better in the second half, when Simon Barker scored Rovers fourth goal in the 54th minute. Jimmy Quinn and Simon Garner made it 6-0 Blackburn, but Dave Swindlehurst did score a consolation goal for the Lads. The game finished 6-1 Rovers, an absolutely horrendous display from Sunderland.
BLACKBURN ROVERS 0-3 SUNDERLAND - PREMIER LEAGUE - 2001
Finally in the Premier League era and this was a big win for Sunderland at Ewood Park. It was Boxing Day in 2001 and Peter Reid’s Lads travelled to Blackburn to take on Graeme Souness’ side. Republic of Ireland international Niall Quinn bagged the first goal in the 17th minute. He then got another in the 32nd minute, and Sunderland went into halftime 2-0 up. Peter Reid would have been pleased with his side's great first half display. Not much happened in the second half until Kevin Kilbane came off the bench. The Irishman bagged the third goal in the 90th minute, and the game ended 3-0 to the Lads. A dominant performance from the Lads.
SUNDERLAND 2-1 BLACKBURN ROVERS - PREMIER LEAGUE - 2011
Finally let’s talk about Martin O’Neill’s first game in charge. 11th of December 2011 and Sunderland were hosting Steve Kean’s Blackburn Rovers at the Stadium of Light. It was Blackburn who started brighter, and Simon Vukcevic put them 1-0 up. The first half ended 1-0, I’m sure O’Neill would have expected more from his side. The second half was very tense, Blackburn were hanging onto their lead and it looked like Sunderland were going to face another defeat. James Vaughan equalised in the 84th minute and it was game on. Sunderland won a free kick in the 90th minute and Sebastian Larsson stepped up to take it. The Swedish international converted the free kick and Sunderland won the game 2-1. A fantastic end to O’Neill’s first game.
