Premiership: Quinn double for Sunderland at Blackburn

Blackburn 0, Sunderland 2 (half-time)

Niall Quinn scored twice to give Sunderland an early advantage over Blackburn at Ewood Park.

Quinn struck in the 17th minute when he side-footed home a Bernt Haas cross from the right.

And he headed his side’s second just past the half-hour when he rose highest to knock home Julio Arca’s free-kick.

Sunderland continued to assert their grip on the proceedings with McAteer causing particular problems down the right.

And it was little surprise when Sunderland went further ahead in the 31st minute.

Julio Arca floated over a free-kick from the right and Quinn jumped highest to head the ball past Friedel.

Blackburn’s best reply was a Dunn shot into the side-netting, while the visitors came close to a third when Kevin Phillips sent through Claudio Reyna, whose shot was headed clear.