Source: Daily_Mail
Blackburn 3 Portsmouth 1: Supersub Roberts at the double
[LNB]You would never associate big, rugged Sam Allardyce with a conjuror's flourish, a moment of inspiration. But yesterday he turned jeers into cheers and impending defeat into victory.[LNB]His half-time decision to send substitute strikers Benni McCarthy and Jason Roberts into action with his team playing miserably and a goal down transformed the game.[LNB]Roberts scored twice, McCarthy danced defenders out of position and Portsmouth goalkeeper David James was a beaten man after a first-half masterclass of his craft.[LNB]Allardyce said: 'I don't normally get so radical with my substitutions but that was our worst first-half display of the season.'[LNB] At the double: Jason Roberts scored twice to move blackburn up the table[LNB] [LNB]You had to feel sympathy for Portsmouth and their noisy, travellingsupport but, as manager Paul Hart said: [LNB]'We were undone by set-pieceshaving been in control for the whole of the first half. I am lost forwords.'[LNB]Portsmouth raced into the lead after quarter of an hour. Jamie O'Harahit a low shot into the bottom corner. It was a grim start for Blackburn and set the tone for their first half.[LNB]Rovers' frustration ran high all over the pitch with Pascal Chimbondaand O'Hara landing themselves in referee Andre Marriner's book after anuntidy scuffle when O'Hara tugged at his opponent's shirt. [LNB]Chimbondaraised his hands offering a girlish push. Some referees might havelooked for the red card, and as Hart added: 'Jamie was pushed in theface.'[LNB] Level pegging: Roberts restores parity at Ewood Park[LNB] [LNB]Allardyce's hope of remedy was to introduce McCarthy and Roberts inplace of the half-hearted Morten Gamst Pedersen and El-Hadji Diouf.Eight minutes after the interval, Blackburn were level with Roberts thescorer.[LNB]Portsmouth conceded a corner and when David Dunn hoisted the ball tothe far post, Ryan Nelsen headed the ball down and Roberts flicked theball over the line from a couple of yards. James could only watch before giving his defenders a hard look.[LNB] Screamer: Jamie O'Hara opens his Portsmouth account[LNB] [LNB]But Portsmouth's heads did not drop. It was clear Blackburn had beenrevitalised and despite the honest toil of the Pompey men, Roversscored after 73 minutes.[LNB]Another Dunn corner, this time from the right, was met by Nelsen,rising high. This time the header was powerful and true, leaving Jameswithout hope.[LNB]Portsmouth's chances of rising from the foot of the table appeared tohave gone. As they chased the game, McCarthy slipped in a low crossthat Roberts turned into the net. The pair embraced. The job was done.[LNB] Mokoena tells Portsmouth: Sign up Blackburn Rovers hitman McCarthyBLACKBURN ROVERS FC
