GIVE IT TIME TO LOAD

A late goal by substitute Matt Derbyshire gave Blackburn Rovers a 1-0 Premier League win over Fulham at Ewood Park.

Derbyshire finished with aplomb nine minutes after coming on, and he was assisted by fellow sub Carlos Villanueva, who played a delightful chipped pass for Roque Santa Cruz to nod down to the England Under-21 striker.

Chile playmaker Villanueva made the difference in the match, an inspired tactical move from Paul Ince that allowed Rovers to move away from the destructive style that could have seen them reduced to 10 men on more than one occasion.

Jimmy Bullard was on the end of some particularly rough treatment, with a brutal Keith Andrews challenge and an Antipodean four-footed tackle by Brett Emerton and Ryan Nelsen arguably worthy of more than the yellow cards issued by Lee Probert.

And later in the match, a retaliatory sliding assault by Stephen Warnock on John Pantsil somehow did not even draw a booking, even with Warnock glaring over his horizontal victim afterwards. Warnock was also spared by a technicality when he slid in late on Andrew Johnson - the ball had already gone out of play before he launched into the tackle.

Probert was consistently lenient, however. Pantsil escaped serious punishment for the foul on Keith Treacy that initially provoked Rovers, while Johnson was not even warned for kicking the ball away after he was caught offside.

Misdemeanours aside, it was an entertaining match that deserved more than its solitary goal.

Johnson nearly opened his Fulham account with a fourth-minute strike that the sprightly Paul Robinson tipped over in style, while a cameo of skill from Andrews saw him fire just wide in response to the Whites' early chance.

Jason Roberts, Morten Gamst Pedersen, Santa Cruz twice and Villanueva all had good occasions to score for the hosts, while Emerton sent a cross-shot off the post after a surging run from midfield.

Fulham used the ball more entertainingly, but the frustrating Bobby Zamora missed three very good headed opportunities with one particularly bad miss when found unmarked on the hour. Soon afterwards Johnson also should have scored when he ran clean through, but he shot low at Robinson who saved well.

As the game wore on, both sides became more stretched and the introduction of the creative Villanueva and natural finisher Derbyshire gave Ince a winning combination to stop a run of two consecutive defeats and - after conceding four goals in each of those two losses - a hard-earned clean sheet.

Blackburn gaffer Paul Ince feels like he has been dealt "a kick in the ribs" with the news David Dunn could be out until the New Year.Dunn faces surgery on an Achilles injury sustained earlier in the season which recently failed to respond to injections.

The 28-year-old now faces up to four months on the sidelines which has come as a bitter pill for Ince to swallow.

"We gave him an injection a couple of weeks ago, hoping that would do the trick, but he's not getting there so we've no option but to put him under the knife," confirmed Ince. "It's a massive blow to us, and especially for the lad because he has been fantastic on and off the field.

"I gave him the responsibility of being vice-captain, which he took on board and he has been bubbly since I gave him that role.

"When you think about him, he is 28 now, but three or four years ago he would have been worth £15million or £16million.

"That's the type of player we're losing. It's a kick in the ribs, but we're going to have to get on with it.

"He is obviously devastated, which I can totally understand because he has been playing well.

"He is a unique player in what he does. There are not many of his like around.

"He is a special case, and that's why it's so disappointing to lose him."

Ince has also learned Australia midfielder Vince Grella, signed for £4million from Torino last month, will be out until the middle of next month with a calf injury.

"There are things that appear to be conspiring against us," added Ince.

Blackburn have suffered a blow with the news that David Dunn faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury.

Dunn has been missing since the draw with Hull on August 23 with an Achilles problem.

Scans have shown that the injury is serious and could sideline the midfielder for up to four months.

The news will come as a blow to Dunn who had started the season in fine style after being a series of injuries last term.

Dunn's injury comes at a bad time for Rovers as Paul Ince looks to get his side back on track after two heavy defeats to West Ham and Arsenal.

Blackburn chairman John Williams insists there will be no panic at Ewood Park despite Rovers sitting in the bottom three of the Premier League.Paul Ince's managerial debut in the top flight has brought a win and a draw in his first four matches but his side have the worst goal difference and are above only Stoke and Tottenham.

A number of players have been on trial at Blackburn - Dutch winger Ugur Yildirim is the latest - but despite most being free agents, Williams said there were no plans to rush in any new additions.

"The bottom line is we are not short on numbers in the squad and I think it is highly unlikely anyone will be coming in between now and the re-opening of the window," he said.

"Of course, that could change if someone was presented to us that would really improve the team.

"But we are only four games in so there is no need to panic. The goals conceded are horrible but we will improve."

Blackburn target Ugur Yildirim has been released by Turkish outfit Sivasspor, sparking rumours the midfielder could be bound for Ewood Park.The right-sided winger, who has been capped once by Holland, was only signed by Sivasspor in January but was told he could leave after a change of formation at the club.

Sivasspor boss Ozkan Dogan has confirmed that Rovers chief Paul Ince has enquired about 26-year-old, who recently asked for his contract to be cancelled to allow him to move on.

Ince is still hoping to bolster his squad with free agents after a tricky start to the season in which Rovers have gained only four points from their opening four Premier League outings.

Ryan Nelsen has admitted the team are conceding too many goals following successive Premier League defeats.A 4-0 defeat to Arsenal followed a 4-1 reverse at West Ham which leaves Rovers in the bottom three of the Premier League leaving Nelsen concerned and wanting a return to the more miserly defending which has stood the Ewood Park club in good stead in previous seasons.

The New Zealander told the Lancashire Telegraph: "It has been really frustrating the last couple of weeks because the performances have been good but we are just leaking some horrendously soft goals.

"It is just finding the right balance at the moment. We are trying to play nice attacking football, going forward, and probably don't have the balance right at the moment and we are becoming a bit open.

"Cavalier is a good word but in saying that it is probably my fault and I should probably keep the reins on the horses a bit.

"We want to play, and play some entertaining football. It is a good attitude to have but we have been successful in the past by being tight at the back and we might need to get back to that."

Emmanuel Adebayor scored a hat-trick as Arsenal romped to a 4-0 Premier League win away to Blackburn Rovers.
The Togolese striker scored with a header, a right-footed penalty and a left-foot tap-in after rounding goalkeeper Paul Robinson late on, to walk away with the match ball.
Robin van Persie earlier gave the visitors the lead following superb work by Theo Walcott.
Arsenal looked devastating going forward - even with Cesc Fabregas not hitting the same heights as last season.
Arsene Wenger suggested he might rest the 19-year-old Walcott following his hat-trick against Croatia, to minimize the risk of burn-out.
However, given the absence of Samir Nasri, Tomas Rosicky and Abou Diaby, he had little choice but to play Walcott and the winger quickly vindicated his decision.
Walcott is playing with such confidence that it came as little surprise to see him step away from two tackles in the eighth minute, accelerate towards the box and play a neat diagonal ball for Van Persie.
The Dutchman took one touch to steady himself and another to send his left-foot shot past Paul Robinson.
Walcott's dribbling ability saw him create numerous further openings for Adebayor, who, despite his hat-trick, did not play particularly well and repeatedly strayed offside.
Arsenal's main man was Walcott, who proceeded to take numerous shots at goal, including an outrageous attempt at a Thierry Henry-style long-range sidefoot into the top corner.
The fact that he did not score will matter less to Arsene Wenger than the fact that he is now prepared to trust his abundant talent and take control of games. He went off just after the hour mark to a standing ovation.
But, this being Arsenal, Blackburn had their chances. Roque Santa Cruz fired over with a left-foot shot just two minutes after the opening goal, when William Gallas failed to deal with a long, diagonal ball.
Brett Emerton supplied a reliable source of crosses from the right, including one that flashed in front of goal without anybody turning it in.
Another found Santa Cruz leaping at the far post, but the Paraguayan headed over from six yards.
At the other end, Van Persie twice went close to doubling his tally. He hit the side-netting after Denilson played him in with a canny ball, then volleyed just wide from 25 yards.
Just before half-time, Arsenal extended their lead with a routine goal preceded by a remarkable build-up.
The visitors must have completed 30 passes before Denilson crossed to Adebayor - onside this time - who powered his downward header past Robinson.
The second period proved a tamer affair as Blackburn ran out of steam. Emerton nearly played Jason Roberts through early in the half and Morten Gamst Pedersen squandered a good attacking position by straying offside.
Thereafter it was easy going for Arsenal, who would have gone further in front had Kolo Toure not somehow missed from a yard out.
Emmanuel Eboue forced a great save from Robinson with a 25-yard strike, then won a penalty after a rash challenge by Stephen Warnock, and Adebayor put the result beyond doubt nine minutes before the end.
And he completed the rout when he collected an Aaron Ramsey through-ball, took the ball past Robinson and shot into the empty net.

GIVE IT TIME TO LOAD

PAUL Ince today reassured Rovers supporters about his commitment to the club in the wake of media speculation linking him with the managerial vacancy at Newcastle.

The Rovers manager commented: "As I said at our pre-match Press Conference earlier today, I cannot control media speculation and nor do I normally choose to comment upon it.

"However, I feel I owe it to the club, the players and the supporters to say that I am very happy at Ewood Park. I am only a few weeks into the role and I am thoroughly enjoying the experience. My only focus is Rovers and getting on with the job."