Blackburn Rovers 2 Sunderland 0: Controversy continues to follow Craig Bellamy's career, though fortunately for Blackburn the Welshman appears to find goals just as easy to come by. Two more from the former Newcastle striker last night diverted attention from his off-the-field problems and propelled Blackburn to seventh place in the table.
With no fixture until Arsenal on Saturday week, Rovers head off today for a break in Dubai, reinvigorated by a victory that takes them to within one point of Arsene Wenger's side.
Bellamy, who is reported to be wanted by police for questioning in connection with an alleged assault in Cardiff, will have more reason than most to enjoy the chance to get the sun on his back.
David Bentley, who scored a hat-trick in a memorable 4-3 victory against Arsenal, was exiled to the substitutes bench as Mark Hughes sought fresh impetus.
Bentley's place on the right-hand side of midfield was taken by Steven Reid. Tugay was restored to the centre with Robbie Savage and the effervescent Morten Gamst Pedersen returned on the left.
George McCartney was twice exposed in the opening 10 minutes as Rovers exploited the space behind Sunderland's high back-line. The first opportunity arrived when Lucas Neill's cross on the right was half-cleared. Florent Sinama-Pongolle picked up the ball but the striker's dipping volley flashed wide.
Four minutes later Tugay delivered a wonderful, 40-yard pass that picked out Reid. With Kelvin Davis advancing from his goal-line, Reid's first touch needed to be precise, but he failed to control and the goalkeeper snatched the ball from the end of his toe.
Sunderland summoned a spirited response. Kevin Kyle, foraging alone up front and searching for his first Premiership goal, headed straight at Brad Friedel after Nyron Nosworthy delivered from the right.
Rovers finally fashioned a breakthrough seven minutes before the interval. Pedersen, benefiting from Andy Todd's vision, curled a right-foot shot that Davis failed to hold, gifting the unmarked Bellamy a chance to slot in from six yards.
Within two minutes of the restart Michael Gray swung in a deep cross that Reid climbed majestically to head towards the bottom corner, only for Davis to atone for his part in Bellamy's goal by turning the ball away.
The Sunderland goalkeeper was unable to prevent Bellamy grabbing his second in the 63rd minute. Tugay's cross-field pass found Sergio Peter in space on the left. The substitute swept a curling ball across the six-yard box for the the Welshman to head emphatically into the far corner.
BLACKBURN: Friedel, Neill, Todd, Nelsen, Gray, Reid, Savage, Tugay (Khizanishvili 82), Pedersen (Peter 54), Bellamy, Sinama Pongolle (Kuqi 68). Subs not used: Enckelman, Bentley. Booked: Bellamy. Goals: Bellamy 38, 63.
SUNDERLAND: Davis, Nosworthy, Breen, Danny Collins, McCartney, Lawrence (Stead 67), Leadbitter (Daryl Murphy 74), Whitehead, Miller (Woods 76), Arca, Kyle. Subs not used: Alnwick, Caldwell. Booked: McCartney, Miller.
Referee: K Stroud (Hampshire).
