Big Sam gets early birthday gift

Sam Allardyce saw his Blackburn side claim the local bragging rights over Burnley in the first top-flight meeting of the clubs for 43 years with a 3-2 win at Ewood Park. It was a comfortable victory as well after an early scare when Robbie Blake made the breakthrough for Burnley after five minutes. However the home side effectively sealed the points before half-time thanks to goals from David Dunn, Franco di Santo and Pascal Chimbonda. Substitute Chris Eagles scored a second for Burnley in stoppage time, but the Clarets have now lost five successive games on the road in the Premier League this season - with four straight home wins. Blackburn's win gave their manager Allardyce an early birthday present as he is 55 on Monday. Former Manchester United man Eagles pulled a goal back in stoppage time, scoring from close range following a cross from Stephen Jordan, to set up a grandstand finish, but Rovers held on to win the 92nd meeting between the two sides.

Source: Eurosport

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