Rovers cling on for draw despite Samba red card
BLACKBURN (0) vs SUNDERLAND (())
SUNDERLAND manager Steve Bruce berated his toothless side after they were held by 10-man Blackburn in torrential conditions at Ewood Park.
Rovers defender Christopher Samba was dismissed in first-half stoppage time for bundling over Danny Welbeck on the edge of the penalty area. But the Black Cats could not take advantage of their numerical superiority, with Darren Bent missing their best chance.
“We can’t keep relying on Benty to score us a goal,” said Bruce. “We’ve got to come up with some goals from someone else. We should be taking some of the chances we’ve created.”
Striker Bent has scored five of Sunderland’s seven Premier League goals this season, and ought to have added to that tally when he found himself one-on-one and shot straight at Paul Robinson. Morten Gamst Pedersen went closest for Blackburn, his free-kick from 40 yards forcing Steve Mignolet to tip over.
The result keeps both sides just three points off the relegation zone and Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce was grateful Samba’s foul was not also punished with a penalty, given Welbeck fell inside the box.