Blackburn Rovers 2-0 Norwich City

Blackburn pick up a vital three points in their relegation battle thanks to a comfortable win over Norwich City at Ewood Park.

The Canaries made the brighter start and were on top early, indeed Norwich should have possibly gone ahead as within the first ten minutes Grant Holt put a strong header over and James Vaughan mis-kicked with the goal at his mercy. Blackburn can class themselves unfortunate not to have a penalty on 12 minutes after the ball appeared to strike Russell Martin on the hand as it came into the box, but the referee gave nothing, and then seven minutes later a Morten Gamst Pedersen cross flicked off a defender's head only narrowly wide. Steve Kean's side took control of the game after half an hour and almost took the lead when a Yakubu overhead kick hit the post on 38 minutes, before they broke the deadlock two minutes later. Great work from Yakubu gave the ball to Pedersen and his sweet cross was volleyed in by Mauro Formica, the forward providing a lovely finish between John Ruddy's legs to give Blackburn the lead at the break. Shortly after half-time, Blackburn found themselves two goals to the good thanks to a wonder-strike from Junior Hoilett. The winger cut inside on 48 minutes and hit a powerful, curving long-range shot that evaded the Norwich keeper and got the Ewood Park faithful to their feet. The match was over as a contest from that point on, as Blackburn were comfortable in control and Norwich rarely troubled them going forward. Aaron Wilbraham and Elliot Bennett raised home heart-rates briefly but neither could find the back of the net and Rovers held on to earn a valuable three points.