Jones brace secures victory for Sunderland

A Kenwyne Jones brace was enough for Sunderland to secure a 2-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers.

Blackburn nearly took the lead early and then had a goal disallowed. First Christophe Samba got his head on a corner, but Sunderland had enough players on the line to clear. From the resulting corner, Blackburn put the ball in the net, only for the goal to be disallowed for a foul by Jason Roberts on the keeper Marton Fulop.

Blackburn did take the lead in the 21st minute. Sunderland only partially cleared from a corner, with the ball falling to Gael Givet just outside the area, allowing the defender to drill home to give the visitors the lead.

The lead lasted just over 10 minutes. Steed Malbranque put the ball through to Kenwyne Jones, who rounded the keeper and slotted home to claim his first of the season.

The score remained even until early in the second half. A Lee Cattermole cross found Kenwyne Jones` head, allowing the striker to claim his second of the game.

However, Blackburn answered back almost immediately, but this time the linesman`s flag saved the home side. N`Zonzi headed home, but Samba was in an offside position and was judge to impede Fulop`s route to the ball. Kalinic had the best chance of securing an equaliser for the away side after that, but fired wide at the death.

The win gives Sunderland their best start to the season in the Premiership, their first win against Blackburn at home in the league since 2001, and moves the club up to sixth in the league and on the same points as leaders Arsenal. Of course it`s early days but it`s probably the best start to the season that any Sunderland fan could have hoped for.

Teams:

Sunderland: Fulup; Bardsley, McCartney (Nosworthy, 60), Ferdinand, Collins; Malbranque (Henderson, 79), Richardson, Cana, Cattermole; Jones, Bent (Campbell, 90).

Subs not used: Gordon, Leadbitter, Reid, Healy.
Booked: Cattermole, Bardsley


Blackburn: Robinson, Jacobsen, Samba, Givet, Nelson (Olsson, 46); Pedersen, Nzonzi, Andrews, Diouf (McCarthy, 71); Roberts, Di Santo (Kalinic, 14).

Subs not used: Brown, Emerton, Grella, Hoilett.
Booked: McCarthy

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