Source: PA
Allardyce hails Diouf
Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce paid tribute to on-loan striker Mame Biram Diouf after he scored a hat-trick in the 3-1 Carling Cup second-round victory over Norwich.
The 22-year-old, brought in from Manchester United earlier this month, rewarded his boss for handing him his first start after two Barclays Premier League appearances with an impressive performance.
Diouf, a Senegal international, headed the opener in the 29th minute, stabbed home his second 11 minutes from time and nodded in a third late on but could easily have had a couple more, having hit the bar from close range.
"We made hard work of it to be honest," admitted Allardyce. "I thought we had already had many chances to get the second goal before we finally got it and it was a really good performance and a comfortable victory.
"Diouf scored three very good goals but could have scored more than that - the easiest one he missed when he headed it on to the bar.
"A hat-trick for one of our players is always very encouraging and hopefully he can carry on scoring in the Premier League."
