Blackburn Rovers ended a 10 game winless steak by beating Fulham 2-0 at Ewood Park, to ease growing pressure on boss Sam Allardyce.
Goals from defenders Christopher Samba and captain Ryan Nelsen handed Rovers a crucial victory, one that sends them up to 12th and five points away from the drop zone.
It was Fulham who had the better of the opening period with Clint Dempsey, in particular, looking lively; while Andrew Johnson shot wide when well placed.
Rovers' opener came after only 24 minutes. Benni McCarthy's mis-hit corner was half cleared by Damien Duff on the post and Samba was there to instinctively fire home with his left foot from 6 yards. The goal meant that Sam Allardyce's team scored first at Ewood Park for the first time in nine games.
The goal seemed to spark Fulham into life and they were almost immediately back on terms when Clint Dempsey's overhead kick rebounded off the bar, with Paul Robinson well beaten.
The away side gained confidence from this and, just as Blackburn began to show nerves, Robinson did well to deny a right footed thunderbolt from former Rovers' winger Damien Duff.
Chris Baird then pulled a header wide in another chance for Fulham, while Rovers' Martin Olsson was played clean through, only to be flagged offside.
The home side doubled their advantage after the re-start with captain Ryan Nelsen heading home from a sublime Benni McCarthy free kick, to the evident delight and relief of the Blackburn End.
Fulham's injury woes continued when Clint Dempsey and Paul Konchesky were both forced off with knocks before Paul Robinson scrambled to deny Zoltan Gera's twenty yard effort.
The result moves ends Rovers' winless run while Fulham remain in eighth, despite not picking up any points in their last four matches.

Posted Sunday January 17^th 2010
By Edward Bretherton

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