Rovers bask in comfort of 17th

MORTEN GAMST PEDERSEN feels Blackburn’s win over Fulham on Saturday has proved there is life beyond the bottom three in the Premier League.

For the first time for four months, and for only the second time this season, Rovers elevated themselves out of the relegation zone on the back of the resilient 3-1 win at Ewood Park.

It may only be for a short period should Wigan somehow find a way to beat Manchester City tonight, but for beleaguered boss Steve Kean and his under-pressure players, it at least offer a crumb of comfort to see themselves in 17th.

And if ever a result proved Blackburn can survive this season, then it came at Ewood Park as, after going down to 10 men in the 23rd minute when Ayegbeni Yakubu was shown a red card for the first time in his nine-year career in English football, Rovers rallied to clinch a dramatic win.

Pedersen, who scored Blackburn’s opener with virtually the last touch of the first half with a low 20-yard free-kick, underlined the relief felt within the team at their new-found status.

“Of course, it’s a fantastic feeling after what has been such a tough time, and we haven’t had much luck,” said Pedersen.

“We’ve showed it’s possible after so many negative things going around all over the place.

“It’s a great win, one we deserved, which gives us a little bit of confidence, but now we have to build on it.’’

Yakubu’s red card for a high tackle on Danny Murphy actually galvanised Blackburn. Pedersen’s strike was perfect timing, as was the second from David Dunn, coming just 56 seconds into the second half.

When former Rovers winger Damien Duff pulled one back in the 54th minute, there was still plenty of time for Fulham to salvage something from the game.

Instead, it was Blackburn who were the more forthright team, and they deserved their third from Mauro Formica 11 minutes from time.

“We were unlucky to get Yakubu sent off, but we didn’t sit back, we kept our formation and kept two up front,” added Pedersen.

“We didn’t want to defend, we wanted to attack, and it succeeded for us.’’

“Everybody showed discipline, we worked hard, and you get a little extra energy when you are scoring goals.”

The result also kept the paltry 18,003 crowd — Rovers’ lowest in the league since October 2008 — happy, with the latest protest prior to the game but a sideshow and forgotten about come the final whistle.

“I wasn’t aware the crowd was so low,” said Kean. “We hope the fans who did stay away have genuine reasons, and that with this performance and result it drags them back.

From Fulham it was a feeble performance, one which leaves them six points above the drop zone, and with boss Martin Jol conceding they are now looking over their shoulders.

“This was a squandered opportunity,” said Jol. “At 2-1 I really thought we would repair the damage, and although I don’t think we played bad in the second half, if you concede three then you are always going to make it difficult for yourself.”