HALF TIME: Blackburn Rovers 1 Sunderland 0

3:50pm Saturday 15th November 2008

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CHRIS Samba finally broke the deadlock at Ewood Park after Rovers had looked like failing to make the most of a dominant first half.

The Congo international towered above the Sunderland defence to head home Morten Gamst Pedersen's corner on 45 minutes to hand the hosts a deserved 1-0 half time lead.

Before that the hosts played some good football and created several clear cut chances but, with only three goals at home all season, again failed to convert.

An opening goal looked inevitable for Rovers as they tore into Roy Keane's Sunderland from the start.

Stephen Warnock dragged a shot wide from 10 yards after Keith Andrews' clever knock down on two minutes before Khizanishvili saw a header scrambled off the line.

Santa Cruz then headed Morten Gamst Pedersen's corner against the bar on 11 minutes before Sunderland finally worked their way into the match.

Khizanishvili's slip saw Kenwyne Jones race clear only to shoot weakly at Paul Robinson from a tight angle, while Djibril Cisse lobbed over after Steed Malbranque's through ball.

Rovers finished the half strongly but were still lacking that final touch as Sunderland went in relieved to still be in the game.