Ten-man Blackburn Rovers moved out of the relegation zone with a 3-1 victory over Fulham at Ewood Park this afternoon.
Following an even start to the encounter, the match looked to have swung the way of visiting Fulham when Rovers striker Yakubu was handed his marching orders following a collision with Danny Murphy. The dismissal was the first of the Nigerian's career.
However, it was the home side who broke the deadlock on the stroke of half time. Bryan Ruiz was adjudged to have fouled David Dunn on the edge of the area and Morten Gamst Pedersen stepped up to convert the resultant free kick past David Stockdale.
Steve Kean's side soon doubled their advantage after the restart courtesy of Dunn. The midfielder found David Goodwillie on the edge of the area, but when the striker's effort was blocked by Fulham's Philippe Senderos, Dunn was on hand to shoot low past Stockdale from 18 yards out.
Former Rovers winger Damien Duff halved the deficit in the 56th minute when he curled a right-footed effort beyond the reach of Paul Robinson.
Fulham went on to push for an equaliser, although it was Rovers who went closest to scoring the game's next goal. Winger Junior Hoilett's shot from 25 yards out appeared goalbound until Stockdale dived to palm the ball to safety.
Rovers eventually managed to claim their third goal of the match through Mauro Formica with 11 minutes left when the Argentine struck past Stockdale from ten yards out.
Liam Apicella
