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Hughes: Delighted

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• Roque Santa Cruz

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Mark Hughes paid tribute to his Blackburn players following the 1-0 victory over Portsmouth on Sunday.

Pompey enjoyed most of the possession in the first half at Fratton Park but Hughes insists his side were never really threatened.

Blackburn improved considerably after the break and Roque Santa Cruz netted the winner after linking up with strike partner Jason Roberts.

Hughes told Sky Sports: "It was an excellent performance by ourselves, especially in the second half when we went up 10 or 15 per cent from the first half.

"I think we were comfortable in the first half but that extra 10 or 15 per cent just took us over the line.

"It was a fantastic goal by Roque. It was good movement and interplay between the two forwards, who I thought were excellent all day and led from the front.

"In the end we really deserved the win."

Santa Cruz glee

Santa Cruz also admitted Blackburn were 'a different team' in the second half as they clinched a victory that keeps them in the race for Europe.

The Paraguayan said: "I think we saw how the game was, we hadn't played well enough to win the game.

"I think we went in (at half-time) and remembered we're playing for a lot of things today and then we were a different team."

Of the goal, Santa Cruz added: "It was nice play by Morten (Gamst Pedersen), me and Robbo and I think it was a great finish as well.

"It gives us chance to keep fighting for a place in Europe and we will until the end.

"It was our main business for this season. It's nice in the last two games that we still have something to fight for."