Source: SKY_Sports
Rovers grab extra time win
lackburn Rovers progressed into the fifth round of the FA Cup after Benni McCarthy's last-minute winner in extra time gave them a 2-1 win over Sunderland.[LNB] The Black Cats had taken the lead early in the first-half as David Healy fired home smartly.[LNB]But that was against the run of play and Rovers grabbed a deserved leveler when Aaron Mokoena fired home wonderfully from 25 yards on the stroke of half-time.[LNB]Both sides spurned numerous chances to stop the game going into extra-time - but with the match heading for penalties it was Rovers who landed a fifth round home clash with Championship Coventry as McCarthy headed home from close-range.[LNB]The home side almost took the lead as early as the third minute when Zurab Khizanishvili's effort came back off the inside of the post following a corner from Villanueva.[LNB]Sunderland again found themselves on the back foot a minute later and Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon - back in the side after an ankle injury - did well to push away a shot from David Dunn.[LNB]Early leadThe visitors, however, took the lead in their first attack in the seventh minute through Healy.[LNB]The Northern Ireland striker, making only his third start, was the first to react when Daryl Murphy's shot spun off Ryan Nelsen.[LNB]It was a cool finish by Healy and his second goal for Sunderland, his only other strike coming against Nottingham Forest in the Carling Cup in August.[LNB]That goal gave the visitors a boost and Steed Malbranque rattled a shot narrowly over the bar in the 16th minute following some sloppy defensive play.[LNB]Blackburn hit back and Gordon reacted quickly to push out Keith Treacy's effort two minutes later.[LNB]Gordon was showing no rustiness after his 10-week absence and reacted well to deny Jason Roberts in the 25th minute.[LNB]Blackburn should have equalised nine minutes later but Roque Santa Cruz squandered a glorious chance.[LNB]The Paraguay striker, who looked on his way to Manchester City in the transfer window, screwed a header wide from four yards following Carlos Villanueva's corner.[LNB]Great levellerIt was a clear chance but Blackburn regrouped and drew level in the 37th minute.[LNB]Mokoena sent a 25-yard thunderbolt into the corner, leaving Gordon stranded, after Villanueva's effort had been blocked.[LNB]It was the South African's first goal in almost two years and a timely one at that.[LNB]Mokoena's last goal came in the FA Cup as well - against Manchester City in March 2007.[LNB]Blackburn almost went ahead two minutes into the second half when Santa Cruz peeled away from his marker after Villanueva had delivered the free-kick.[LNB]The striker's header was clean enough but Gordon was equal to it and pushed the ball over the bar.[LNB]There was little to choose between the sides and Grant Leadbitter went close in the 58th minute following a surging run down the left from George McCartney.[LNB]Play switched down the other end and Roberts turned quickly in the penalty area, only for Gordon to block his effort.[LNB]Gordon then kept his side on level terms in the 73rd minute when he pushed over a superb free-kick from Villanueva that seemed goal-bound.[LNB]Then Khizanishvili sent a free header over the bar nine minutes later following Villanueva's corner.[LNB]Sunderland hit back and Reid failed to take advantage in the 85th minute when Carlos Edwards played the ball to him at the back post but he got a poor first touch and the match went into extra-time, paving the way for the dramatic finish.[LNB][LNB][LNB]Blackburn Rovers[LNB]Team Statistics[LNB]Sunderland[LNB][LNB][LNB]2[LNB]Goals[LNB]1[LNB][LNB][LNB]1[LNB]1st Half Goals[LNB]1[LNB][LNB][LNB]11[LNB]Shots on Target[LNB]7[LNB][LNB][LNB]8[LNB]Shots off Target[LNB]8[LNB][LNB][LNB]6[LNB]Blocked Shots[LNB]6[LNB][LNB][LNB]11[LNB]Corners[LNB]3[LNB][LNB][LNB]22[LNB]Fouls[LNB]23[LNB][LNB][LNB]0[LNB]Offsides[LNB]1[LNB][LNB][LNB]3[LNB]Yellow Cards[LNB]2[LNB][LNB][LNB]0[LNB]Red Cards[LNB]0[LNB][LNB][LNB]44.8[LNB]Possession[LNB]55.2[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]
