Rovers edge away from drop zone

Goals from Junior Hoilett and Ayegbeni Yakubu gave Blackburn a 2-0 victory at home to Sunderland and lifted Rovers six points clear of the relegation zone.

The hosts' perilous position meant they needed the points more than their opponents and they certainly showed more ambition to win the game.

Hoilett's volley broke the deadlock just before the hour and after Black Cats substitute Ji Dong-won missed from four yards Yakubu headed his 14th Barclays Premier League goal late on.

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