Sunderland avenged their Carling Cup defeat to Blackburn Rovers with a 2-1 victory over Paul Ince's side in their Premiership clash on Saturday.

Blackburn looked on course for a second win over Sunderland in three days when Christopher Samba put them in the lead on stroke of half time. However Sunderland fought back in the second half to first equalize through Kenwyne Jones in the 49th minute before Djibril Cisse scored the winner 19 minutes from the final whistle.

Sunderland manager Roy Keane made just one change to the side that lost to Blackburn in the midweek with Teemu Tainio replacing Jordan Henderson in midfield. Blackburn should have had taken the lead in the second minute when Stephen Warnock was sent clear by Keith Andrews but the defender failed to beat Marton Fulop.

Roque Santa Cruz went the closest to giving Blackburn an early lead but his header from a corner smashed against the cross bar before bouncing clear. The hosts were dominating the possession but were finding it tough to break through a solid Sunderland defense. Just when it looked as if both the sides will be going into the break on level terms, Samba put Blackburn in the lead by heading home Morten Gamst Pedersen's corner with just seconds remaining before the half time whistle.

Sunderland pressed forward in the second half and were rewarded four minutes after the break when Paul Robinson failed to clear Kieran Richardson's corner, allowing Jones to head home from close range.

The visitors continued to step up the pressure and took a deserved lead in the 71st minute when Malbranque flicked the ball on for Cisse and the French striker slotted the ball home to collect all three points for his side.