Sunderland rally to beat Blackburn 2-1

Aug 22, 2009 - 6:13 PM By DANIEL ROSE STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Sam Allardyce was left fuming after his Blackburn side had a goal disallowed in slipping to a 2-1 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, leaving Rovers still in search of their first point of the season.

Kenwyne Jones secured victory for Steve Bruce's side with a double either side of half-time after Gael Givet had given the visitors the lead on 21 minutes.

The win gives Sunderland their best ever start to a Premier League campaign but Rovers boss Allardyce was convinced his side should have come away with at least a point.

Jason Roberts' first-half header was ruled out for a foul on Black Cats keeper Marton Fulop.

Allardyce said: "We are bitterly disappointed today - we scored a perfectly good goal that was ruled out by the referee who has seen an infringement that I just can't see.

"The result should have been very different today, but it wasn't to be.

"We had our own deficiencies today in our defending, but in terms of the opportunities we have created we are very disappointed not to grab a draw at least.

"But that is the Premier League - we have dominated the game for long periods of time but we've not taken advantage of that and this league is cruel like that."

The home side, fresh from being outclassed by Chelsea in front of their own fans on Tuesday, started sluggishly and were lucky not to be behind on 16 minutes when Roberts was harshly penalised for a foul.

Rovers went ahead five minutes later though, when central defender Givet unleashed an unstoppable 25-yard drive past the helpless Fulop.

The visitors continued to press and were bombarding the Sunderland back line with some trademark direct passing when the home side struck against the run of play, Trinidad striker Jones capitalising on a mistake by Christopher Samba to neatly round Paul Robinson for the equaliser on 32 minutes.

The goal turned the game in the home side's favour and eight minutes into the second period Jones struck again, powerfully converting from the impressive Lee Cattermole's cross.

Allardyce was again furious on the touchline when Rovers were denied a second goal by the officials when midfielder Steven Nzonzi's looped header was rightly ruled out for an offside against Samba.

Black Cats boss Steve Bruce was delighted with the win but agreed that his side were fortunate to claim all three points.

Bruce said: "It wasn't our best performance today but I am pleased we have dug in and got the win.

"We could not cope with Blackburn's physical threat in the first 45 minutes and we could not deal with them - we have probably got off the hook a bit.

"It has been a gruelling week for us and we struggled in the first half after putting in a big 60 minutes against Chelsea, whereas Blackburn were fresh for this match.

"It's a great result for us though and we are moving in the right direction."