Print

Mail

wiki links

Roberts scores last-gasp winner for Rovers

Jason Roberts' last-minute winner secured a 2-1 win for Blackburn Rovers away to local rivals Bolton Wanderers as they battled back from going a goal down in dramatic fashion on Sunday.

This Lancashire derby appeared destined for a draw when the striker, a second-half substitute for South Africa international Benni McCarthy, burst clear from the halfway line and left several defenders behind him at the Reebok Stadium.

His powerful run took Roberts into the box before his deflected shot beat Jussi Jaaskelainen, his first goal of the season.

It was the fifth time this term that Rovers had come from behind to win a Premier League match.

Victory saw them move into eighth place in the table and left Bolton as one of four relegation-threatened clubs on 20 points.

Afterwards Roberts, with the transfer window still open, made it clear how keen he was for first-team action after what was only his 14th Rovers appearance of the season.

"It's been disappointing, I haven't played as many games as I would like. But I think today I showed a little of what I can do," Roberts said. "It's been frustrating with injuries since I've come to this club. I've not really played enough games but I think I am ready to play now and I've been ready for a while now."

Asked if he wanted to stay with Blackburn or move elsewhere, Roberts said: "It's not really in my hands at the moment. I just want to play."

Kevin Nolan's spectacular volley gave Bolton, who were playing their first match since striker Nicolas Anelka's transfer to Chelsea, the lead just before the break.

Rovers though were level when central defender Christopher Samba headed in from a corner in the 53rd minute.

Nolan's wonder-goal was the highlight of an otherwise easily forgettable first half.

The Wanderers captain struck two minutes before halftime when he volleyed home a crossfield ball from Joey O'Brien when out wide on the left of the penalty area.

But at the other end Jaaskelaine's error helped Rovers equalize.

The Finland keeper missed a David Bentley corner before French-born Congo international Samba's mistimed header bounced down into the turf and over the head of Danny Guthrie, guarding the far post.

SUNDERLAND 2, PORTSMOUTH 0

Kieran Richardson scored twice as relegation-threatened Sunderland enjoyed a morale-boosting 2-0 Premier League win at home to Portsmouth on Sunday.

Former Manchester United midfielder Richardson struck twice before halftime to give Sunderland manager Roy Keane -- himself an Old Trafford old boy -- a valuable victory as his side won in the league for only the fifth time this season.

"The forwards, Kenwyne Jones and Daryl Murphy, did particularly well -- without them I wouldn't have scored the goals," he said.

Sunderland remained in the bottom three, level on points with Wigan, Birmingham and Bolton.
This story has been viewed 630 times.