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| Pascal Chimbonda, centre, scores for Blackburn to make it 3-1 [GALLO/GETTY] |
Blackburn Rovers came from behind to beat their northern neighbours Burnley 3-2 in a lively English Premier League showdown.
The win allowed Blackburn to climb clear of the relegation zone in their first derby game in the top flight since 1966 as Burnley slumped to their fifth straight away defeat.
Burnley got off to the best possible start when Robbie Blake gave the visitors a fifth minute lead at Ewood Park.
Short-lived
Owen Coyle's team had failed to score in their previous four away matches, but Blake put an end to that dismal record when he took possession midway inside the Blackburn half, surged forward and fired a ferocious strike past Paul Robinson.
The 2,800 Burnley supporters, who had been made to travel the short 16 mile journey to Ewood Park by coach to avoid crowd trouble, went wild but the Clarets' lead did not last long when David Dunn equalised within four minutes.
Rovers were on top from that moment onwards. Sam Allardyce's side were soon in front as Di Santo claimed his first goal in English football.
Di Santo, an Argentine striker on loan from Chelsea, profited from woeful Burnley defending in the 21st minute. Fullback Pascal Chimbonda added the third just before half-time.
Chris Eagles got one back for Burnley in stoppage time but it is now 30 years since Blackburn last suffered a defeat against their Lancashire neighbours and Rovers have won six of the last seven meetings.
"First and foremost we did it for ourselves but also for the fans who were magnificent," Allardyce said.
"It was a wonderful performance and a wonderful result coming from behind.
"It's a great three points considering it's a local derby and that our next two fixtures are Manchester United and Chelsea away."
Blackburn's third victory of the season gave the team 10 points from eight matches.
It lifted the team to just below halfway in the league table, two points behind Burnley who notched up their fifth loss in nine games.
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