A controversial penalty helped Blackburn virtually secure survival as they saw off Burnley 1-0 at Turf Moor.
Rovers penalty enough to seal East Lancashire bragging rights
A controversial penalty decision helped Blackburn virtually secure their Premier League survival as they saw off Burnley 1-0 in a keenly fought derby encounter at Turf Moor.
The defeat was a massive blow to the struggling Clarets, who were in dire need of the points to boost their fading hopes of survival after rivals Hull City claimed victory on Saturday.
Instead, they remain second bottom - three points shy of safety - after David Dunn tucked a 20th-minute spot-kick into the top corner following Mike Dean's decision to penalise Burnley keeper Brian Jensen for a trip on Martin Olsson.
Replays showed there was little, if any, contact between the Dane and the Rovers man, however Sam Allardyce's side took advantage and defended their lead stoutly as Burnley desperately searched for an equaliser.
But aside from Chris Samba nearly turning a Danny Fox cross into his own net, the hosts never looked like scoring, and Olsson nearly doubled the lead when his effort crashed off the underside of the bar.
Dunn's hit proved to be enough to seal the win, though, piling the misery on Brian Laws' team, with Rovers reaching the 41-point mark and sitting in 10th place.
Contentious
Burnley made a positive start and were awarded a free-kick early from which Graham Alexander sent in a curling delivery that Leon Cort was just unable to get a head to.
Steven Nzonzi then rose in the box at the other end but failed to connect with a Morten Gamst Pedersen free-kick before the Norwegian midfielder fired a wild effort high and wide from long range.
Blackburn thought they had the lead in the 18th minute but Olsson was ruled offside after taking the ball down, turning and lashing it past Jensen.
If that decision appeared contentious, even more controversy surrounded the incident that followed as Rovers made their breakthrough.
Olsson broke into the box and cut inside Jensen, who had rushed out to meet him.
There seemed to be minimal contact between the two players but Olsson tumbled to the turf and referee Dean pointed to the spot.
Dunn stepped up to smash home his third goal of the week and put the visitors ahead.
Burnley tried to raise their game and Wade Elliott put a cross into the danger-zone which Samba headed behind for a corner.
Blackburn looked to hit back and Roberts twisted and turned his way into the box before being crowded out.
Dean had done little to enamour himself to the Burnley faithful and made himself even more unpopular in the 39th minute as Chris Samba brought down Elliott on the edge of the area.
Samba was booked and Clarets fans cried out for a penalty but Dean only gave a free-kick which was subsequently wasted.
Both sides had chances to score just before the break with Michel Salgado blasting wide and then Cort failing to guide his effort on target having brought the ball down on his chest.
Miserable afternoon
Burnley started the second period brightly and Steven Fletcher was almost quick enough to take advantage when Nzonzi under-hit a back-pass, but Brown came out to clear.
Tyrone Mears then brought down a ball flighted into the box but Olsson put it behind for a corner before Mears could get a shot away.
The Clarets finally registered a shot on target in the 54th minute as Martin Paterson turned and fired from distance into the arms of Brown.
At the other end, Cort and Jensen almost got in each other's way in scrambling to clear a dangerous Pedersen free-kick, but Burnley's supporters had been lifted and roared their team on to keep attacking.
Paterson made way for Robbie Blake and Alexander attempted a speculative volley which went well wide before being booked for showing his studs to Pedersen.
The resulting free-kick was not properly cleared and Olsson rifled an effort that cracked against the crossbar and bounced down before Jones headed the rebound wide.
Olsson then found himself unmarked in the box, but Jensen parried his effort after he had controlled and shot.
Salgado whipped in a volleyed cross which substitute Franco Di Santo headed off-target.
Dean was involved in yet more controversy with 15 minutes from the end when he failed to spot a clear handball by Brown.
David Nugent chased a ball which Brown rushed out to gather, but the goalkeeper made a hash of it and clearly handled as he stumbled out of the box.
The crowd were incensed but Dean missed it and play went on.
Burnley were inches away from an equaliser soon after when Danny Fox's low cross was narrowly missed by both Elliott and Fletcher sliding in.
Five minutes of added time were played but a disappointing finale completed a miserable afternoon for the home fans as Rovers hung on for the victory.
| Burnley |
Team Statistics |
Blackburn Rovers |
| 0 |
Goals |
1 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
1 |
| 1 |
Shots on Target |
3 |
| 4 |
Shots off Target |
7 |
| 1 |
Blocked Shots |
2 |
| 7 |
Corners |
2 |
| 15 |
Fouls |
13 |
| 1 |
Offsides |
7 |
| 3 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 65.9 |
Passing Success |
59.7 |
| 13 |
Tackles |
18 |
| 84.6 |
Tackles Success |
72.2 |
| 58.4 |
Possession |
41.6 |
| 57 |
Territorial Advantage |
43 |
|
