Two second half goals from Roque Santa Cruz and Matt Derbyshire led Blackburn Rovers to a convincing 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough on the opening day of the new season.

Middlesbrough started the match with two of their new signing Jeremie Aliadiere and Tuncay Sanli in the starting line up. Blackburn's lone signing of the summer, Roque Santa Cruz was on the bench, with Mark Hughes going with Benni McCarthy and Jason Roberts up front.

The first chance of the match fell to Middlesbrough in the 18th minute when Aiyegbeni Yakubu sprinted up field and played a delightful pass to Tuncay who passed on the ball into the path of Aliadiere only for the 24-year old to shoot wide.

Blackburn came with a chance of their own when McCarthy scored with a simple tap in after receiving the ball from Morten Gamst Pedersen but his effort was ruled offside. Boro had another chance to score through David Wheater but his header was superbly saved by Brad Friedel.

Middlesbrough scored the firs goal of the match in the 31st minute when Yakubu was fouled by Chris Samba and Stewart Downing curled in a delightful free kick into the corner of the net. Blackburn had one last chance before half time, but Bentley audacious chip over Schwarzer landed on the roof of the net.

Just minutes after the break, McCarthy collapsed on the field after taking a knock in the head from Riggott. The South African striker was taken off the field for treatment and was replaced by Santa Cruz. The Paraguayan striker made an instant impact by scoring the equalizer , heading home a Bentley cross.

Hughes went for the kill and brought on Matt Derbyshire to replace Roberts and a minute later the 21-year old latched on to the ball on the left wing and glided into the area before releasing a splendid shot past Schwarzer and into the top corner of the goal. Boro could have had a late equalizer when Wheater thundered a header towards the target, but his effort was parried by Friedel and cleared away from Samba.

Blackburn next play Arsenal on Saturday following the UEFA Cup match against MyPa on Wednesday while Boro face Wigan Athletic on August 15. You can watch live Premiership matches here on free-football.tv.