Two goals in two second half minutes saw Blackburn Rovers emerge victorious at Stadium of Light against Sunderland in their Premiership clash on Sunday.

After a dull first half, the game sprang to life 10 minutes into the second half as David Bentley put Blackburn in front after being fed by Roque Santa Cruz while the Paraguayan striker was himself on the score sheet a minute later. Grant Leadbitter got a consolation goal in the final minute of the game but was unable to prevent the defeat.

Roque Santa Cruz had an early chance for Blackburn as the visitors went on the attack right from the kick off but his header was deflected out by Danny Higginbotham. Blackburn were unable to create any real chances in the first half in spite of enjoying the lion's share of the possession.

Sunderland came the closest to opening the scoring when Liam Miller and Ross Wallace displayed a patient build up on the edge of the penalty box but the subsequent shot by Miller was easily saved by Brad Friedel.

But it was Blackburn that found the breakthrough eight minutes into the second half when a driving run by Santa Cruz was blocked by Higginbotham. However the ball fell to the feet to Bentley and the winger made no mistake in putting his team in the lead.

The visitors doubled the lead a minute later when Brett Emerton pounced on a defensive error by Higginbotham and though Gordon managed to block his shot, the ball fell into the path of Santa Cruz and the striker slotted the ball into an empty net.

Bentley had a great chance of scoring his second goal as he did well to beat two Sunderland defenders but was unable to beat Gordon from a one-on-one situation. Sunderland got one back in the final minute of the game when his 25-yard drive beat Friedel but Blackburn were able to hold on to their one goal lead to finish the match with all three points.