Kean defiant as Rovers refuse to give up ghost

Blackburn manager Steve Kean is undaunted by the size of his side’s Barclays Premier League survival mission after goals from Mauro Formica and Junior Hoilett earned them a crucial win over Norwich at Ewood Park.

Despite coasting to a 2-0 victory, Rovers still stand three points adrift of safety with two trips to London to face Tottenham and Chelsea sandwiching a pivotal home clash with Wigan next month.

But Kean described his side’s survival chances as “excellent”, taking heart from some of his side’s away performances this season, including a famous wins at Old Trafford and Merseyside.

Kean said: “We’ve got three games left and we’ve got to treat them as cup finals. All we can do is pick up points from every game and hope other teams stumble, and take advantage of that. “There are always going to be twists and turns and I’m convinced there are going to be more. I thought we were worthy winners and if we play like that we can look forward to our next game. Wigan have still got to come here, and we’ve already this season been to Anfield, Goodison Park and Old Trafford — tough away games where we got something, so why can’t we go to White Hart Lane and Stamford Bridge and get something?”

With nothing but a win likely to suffice, Rovers did a stout job of snapping a run of five straight losses, with Paul Lambert’s Canaries offering precious little to suggest anything other than a home win.

Jonny Howson saw a long-range effort tipped over, but otherwise Rovers goalkeeper Paul Robinson was a virtual spectator and the hosts almost grabbed the lead on 37 minutes when Ayegbeni Yakubu’s attempted overhead kick struck the post.

Three minutes later, Rovers did go ahead when recalled striker Formica supplied a superb finish to a cross from the left by Morten Gamst Pedersen, striking a low first-time volley past Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy.

Four minutes after the break Rovers doubled their lead with a goal of even greater quality, Hoilett drifting in from the left flank before unleashing an unstoppable 25-yard drive into the top corner of the net.

Aaron Wilbraham had a chance as the Canaries briefly rallied late on, but Rovers eased home in a strange atmosphere punctuated by continued chants for the dismissal of both Kean and Rovers’ owners Venky’s.

Kean refused to comment on the unrest after, although he did seek to clarify the situation regarding midfielder Steven Nzonzi, whom he demoted to the bench for the first time this season amid rumours of a bust-up.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Kean said. “He’s played almost every minute of every Premier League game and unfortunately for him it’s caught up with him a little bit. I told him, ‘I want to rest you so you get your energy back’.” With Norwich effectively safe, Kean’s opposite number Lambert admitted his main task for his side’s three remaining games is to try to ensure they finish a superb season on a high note.

“I want to win every game,” said Lambert. “I never go in with the frame of mind to accept it, so of course I’m not happy with the way we played today.”