Sunderland 2 Blackburn Rovers 1

Aug 23 2009 by James Hunter, Sunday Sun

TWO out of three ain’t bad. In fact, six points out of a possible nine is Sunderland’s best start to a Premier League season!

And when you consider that one of those first three fixtures was against a Chelsea side regarded as one of the best teams in Europe, Steve Bruce can look back on Sunderland’s start with a sense of pride.

True, they had to win the hard way yesterday against Blackburn Rovers– but Sunderland fans are used to that! The Black Cats were outfought and outthought by in the first half and Rovers deservedly went ahead midway through the first period through defender Gael Givet, but the visitors failed to translate their dominance into a commanding lead.

And that meant the stage was set for Trinidad & Tobago hitman Kenwyne Jones to ride to Sunderland’s rescue with a goal either side of half-time to turn the game round.

Jones notched his first goals of the season, striking just after the half-hour and then again early in the second period, to give Sunderland– and Bruce– their first home win of the campaign and fire the Wearsiders up to sixth in the table at this early stage.

Bruce had reverted to the same side that won the opening game of the season at Bolton, which meant one change to the side that lost to Chelsea on Tuesday.

Steed Malbranque recovered from the ankle injury which kept him out of the midweek game to reclaim his place on the right flank at the expense of youngster Jordan Henderson.

Injury doubts Lorik Cana (hand) and Lee Cattermole (back) were both passed fit to play, meaning they continued their partnership in central midfield.

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce made two changes to the side that lost at home to Manchester City the previous weekend, with defender Stephen Warnock and striker Benni McCarthy both left out.

Warnock’s absence was no surprise as Aston Villa were revealed to be in negotiations to sign the left-back, and Givet shifted across to take his place with Ryan Nelsen coming in to fill the gap in central defence.