Allardyce reads the danger signs

THERE were no cryptic gestures to vex Sam Allardyce here: just the grim reality that his Blackburn side remain entrenched in the dirtiest of dog-fights at the foot of the table.

If nothing else, this result will at least restore some focus to the Rovers manager.

Allardyce bizarrely chose to become embroiled in a spat with Rafael Benitez last week, criticising the Spaniard’s innocuous-looking gesture after Liverpool’s second goal against his team last week, but his time might have been better served giving this trip to Stoke his full attention.