Allardyce8217;s Rovers off to winning start

Benni McCarthy scored twice as Blackburn Rovers began life under new manager Sam Allardyce with a 3-0 win against Stoke City.

South Africa striker Benni McCarthy scored twice as Blackburn Rovers began life under new manager Sam Allardyce with a 3-0 win at home to Stoke City.

Yesterday8217;s victory was only Rovers8217;s fourth in 18 English Premier League matches and came just three days after former Bolton and Newcastle boss Allardyce replaced the sacked Paul Ince.

However, despite a win which ended a run of six straight defeats, Rovers remained in the relegation zone.

At the other end of the table, Aston Villa climbed above champions Manchester United, playing Ecuador8217;s Liga de Quito in Sunday8217;s Club World Cup final in Tokyo, into third place after an own-goal from Australia defender Lucas Neill 12 minutes from time secured a 1-0 win away to West Ham.

Saturday8217;s late kick-off at Upton Park was heading for a goalless draw until James Milner cross8217;s deflected off Neill and looped over keeper Robert Green.

Victory moved Villa to 34 points, two more than United, although Sir Alex Ferguson8217;s side do have two games in hand.

Earlier, Sunderland climbed out of the bottom three with a 4-1 win away to high-flyers Hull.

Story continues below this ad

Elsewhere Fulham recorded their sixth home league win in nine games this term with a 3-0 victory over Middlesbrough, while Bolton beat Portsmouth 2-1.

Sunderland8217;s success saw them complete back-to-back wins for the first time this season and took their tally under caretaker boss Ricky Sbragia, who took charge after Roy Keane8217;s departure from the Stadium of Light, to eight goals in two games following last weekend8217;s 4-0 thrashing of basement club West Brom.

Sunday sees leaders Liverpool go in search of their first victory at Arsenal8217;s Emirates Stadium while Newcastle and Tottenham, both on the fringes of the relegation zone, meet at St James8217; Park.

Manchester City, now in the bottom three after Sunderland8217;s victory, travel to West Brom. Second-placed Chelsea are away to Everton on Monday.

Story continues below this ad

McCarthy put Rovers ahead at Ewood Park with a ninth-minute penalty after Ibrahima Sonko fouled Morten Gamst Pedersen before Jason Roberts added a second after Australia international8217;s Brett Emerton cross was diverted into his path.

McCarthy, on his 100th appearance for Rovers, then made it 3-0 before the half-hour mark after being played in by fellow forward Roberts.

Portsmouth, who had conceded eight goals in their previous four league matches, were 2-0 down inside three minutes at the Reebok Stadium.

Former Portsmouth midfielder Matt Taylor put Bolton ahead in the first minute when he volleyed home before setting-up Ricardo Gardner.

Story continues below this ad

England striker Peter Crouch pulled a goal back for Portsmouth with a 20th minute header. Steed Malbranque put visitors Sunderland ahead with a 25-yard shot in the 10th minute before Nick Barmby levelled nine minutes later.

However, Sunderland restored their lead in the 78th minute thanks to an own-goal from Kamil Zayatte. Hull8217;s day then got worse when Sam Ricketts was sent-off for a second bookable offence.

Kenwyne Jones made it 3-1 six minutes from the finish and there was still time for Djibril Cisse to add a fourth.