Blackburn 3 Portsmouth 1: Supersub Roberts at the double

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.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.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.Allardyce said: 'I don't normally get so radical with my substitutions but that was our worst first-half display of the season.' At the double: Jason Roberts scored twice to move blackburn up the table You had to feel sympathy for Portsmouth and their noisy, travellingsupport but, as manager Paul Hart said: 'We were undone by set-pieceshaving been in control for the whole of the first half. I am lost forwords.'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.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. Chimbondaraised his hands offering a girlish push. Some referees might havelooked for the red card, and as Hart added: 'Jamie was pushed in theface.' Level pegging: Roberts restores parity at Ewood Park 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.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. Screamer: Jamie O'Hara opens his Portsmouth account 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.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.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. Mokoena tells Portsmouth: Sign up Blackburn Rovers hitman McCarthyBLACKBURN ROVERS FC

Source: Daily_Mail