Source: Team_Talk
More to come from Kalinic - Allardyce
Sam Allardyce is backing Nikola Kalinic to make his mark in the top flight this season after the striker helped Blackburn beat Everton 1-0.[LNB] The striker netted the winner against the Toffees at Ewood Park on Saturday to get his side off to a flying start.[LNB]Kalinic took advantage of an error by goalkeeper Tim Howard in the 14th minute and that was enough to seal the victory.[LNB]It was a huge boost for the player, who scored only two goals in the Premier League last season following his £6million move from Hadjuk Split.[LNB]Allardyce said: "It was a great piece of ability by Kalinic and maybe overshadowed by Tim Howard's mistake.[LNB]"To capitalise on it fully with a really good swivel and finish was obviously why we bought him.[LNB]"It gives him huge confidence to score more goals in the Premier League. I think he will providing we can give him the opportunity to do so."[LNB]Everton manager David Moyes refused to condemn Howard, who spilled the ball after racing out of his goal to make the clearance and Kalinic took advantage.[LNB]Moyes said: "The goal changed things. It happens. It was costly, though, a deciding moment in the game. But Tim has been really good for us."[LNB]Blackburn remained solid and the victory came on an emotional day with the club marking the 10th anniversary of former owner Jack Walker's death.[LNB]Allardyce said: "It's a big thing for a lot of people. If this has helped in anyway that is fantastic.[LNB]"We asked the players to start like they finished off last season. Everyone on the pitch did their jobs.[LNB]"There was a great chance for Martin Olsson before the goal while Mame Biram Diouf and Steven Nzonzi could also have scored.[LNB]"The lads know each other better than ever done. Nzonzi was disappointed he was not even in starting eleven. That's the due to the emergence of Phil Jones.[LNB]"Everton did the double over us last season and to take three points off them is a big statement. Our expectations are about focusing on the first 10 games."[LNB]Blackburn's win was achieved even though influential midfielder David Dunn came off early with a groin strain[LNB]Allardyce said: "It was a disappointment to lose David so early as he was our leading goalscorer.[LNB]"He has completed every single training session and every single game in pre-season and just over-stretches and extends his groin a little bit. That was a concern."[LNB]Everton went into the game with high expectations given they had a full squad to pick from but apart from Phil Jagielka's shot late on they lacked a cutting edge.[LNB]Moyes said: "It was a tough game, a physical battle and Blackburn got the ball forward at every opportunity.[LNB]"We didn't play as well as we can. We didn't flow and our forward play was poor. We had very few opportunities.[LNB]"We didn't put Blackburn under any sustained pressure except in the last 15 minutes. It was a game which came down to one small thing but we will move on."
