In-form Dunn guides Rovers to derby win
BLACKBURN (3) vs. BURNLEY (2)
BLACKBURN boss Sam Allardyce hailed David Dunn after the midfielder inspired his side’s stunning comeback win over arch rivals Burnley.
The 29-year-old capped a man-of-the-match performance with his fifth goal of the season to help lift Blackburn to 12th in the Premier League.
Burnley had taken a shock lead through Robbie Blake but Dunn levelled before Franco di Santo and Pascal Chimbonda sealed Rovers’ third win of the campaign. And Allardyce quickly singled out Dunn, citing the former England international as the difference between the two teams.
“He is not only our leading scorer but he is providing others the opportunity to get goals. He is doing a terrific job,” he said. “Dunny can change games and he put us back in contention against Burnley very early. We have found him a position that suits, playing just off the front man and he is playing better than he has for a long time.”
With upcoming fixtures against Chelsea and Manchester United, Dunn was thrilled to take all three points.
“To score against Burnley was great but more important than that was to get the three points,” Dunn said. “Our next couple of games are really difficult so it’s great to get 10 points before we play those matches.”
In their first meeting in the top flight since 1966, Burnley stunned Rovers by going ahead in the fourth minute thanks to Blake’s 20-yard effort.
But Dunn equalised with a low drive and Di Santo headed the home side in front before Chimbonda inflicted the killer blow with a tidy finish shortly before half time.
Chris Eagles grabbed an injury time consolation but Burnley still await their first away points of the season.