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New Blackburn era ends with disappointing draw

Junior Stanislas hit West Ham's equaliser © PA Photos

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Blackburn began life after the recently sacked Sam Allardyce with a 1-1 draw against bottom club West Ham on Saturday, on a day when Ewood Park was one of only two Premier League grounds to survive the weather.

Only two top-flight fixtures survived the snowy conditions sweeping the country, with games at Arsenal, Birmingham, Wigan and Liverpool all called off. Further cancellations have also hit Sunday's line-up, with West Brom v Wolves, Blackpool v Tottenham and Chelsea v Manchester United all postponed.

Rovers' new owners gave caretaker Steve Kean temporary control over the team against West Ham, but there was little sign of improved football as Blackburn threw away the chance to move up to eighth in the Premier League table. For Hammers boss Avram Grant, Saturday's clash was billed as the first of three games to save his job. Sitting three points adrift at the bottom, Grant reportedly needed at least one victory before New Year to remain in the Upton Park hot seat.

His cause was not helped by an injury to Robert Green, which meant 23-year-old goalkeeper Ruud Boffin stepped in, and he was immediately tested by some trademark inswingers from Morten Gamst Pedersen. Rovers' momentum was not aided by an injury of their own though, which saw Jason Roberts hobble off with a hamstring problem.

Both fixtures between the sides finished goalless last season, and it was no surprise when the half-time scores read 0-0, although Frederic Piquionne should have had West Ham ahead when he was slipped in behind Michel Salgado, only to send a poor effort wide of the near post.

Blackburn waited just six minutes into the second period to punish Piquionne's miss, but the goal was anything but a thing of beauty. Boffin flapped at an initial cross, but then made a terrific save on his own line as the ball flew around the West Ham area, only to see the final ricochet hit Ryan Nelsen and dribble agonisingly into the net.

The Rovers treatment room will be busy over the following week after Chris Samba and Phil Jones both suffered injuries, and they were grateful to a slice of fortune when Matt Upson's effort hit the woodwork with 20 minutes remaining. However, they could not hold out until full-time, as Scott Parker drove West Ham forward, causing havoc in the Blackburn defence to allow Junior Stanislas to level the scores with a smart finish.

The draw lifts West Ham within three points of safety, although they have played the extra game.

Danny Welbeck opened the scoring for Sunderland © PA Photos

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In the day's other fixture Sunderland capitalised on the crippling weather, beating Bolton 1-0 to move into the top six. On a good surface on Wearside, Sunderland emerged victorious in a battle of two form teams. Under the respective guidance of Steve Bruce and Owen Coyle, the Black Cats and Bolton had both suffered just three league defeats all season, losing one of their last seven.

However, it was Sunderland's superior pace on the break that ensured they spent the majority of the match on the front foot, taking the lead when Danny Welbeck nodded home the rebound after Jussi Jaaskelainen had parried Darren Bent's near-post drive.

Bolton had their moments, not least on the stroke of half-time when Craig Gordon produced a contender for save of the season, expertly turning Zat Knight's point-blank effort away from danger. Sunderland should also have had a man sent off when Lee Cattermole's rash lunge at Johan Elmander's ankle went completely unpunished by referee Chris Foy.

With their full compliment still on the pitch, the pace of Sunderland's attacking trio Bent, Welbeck and Asamoah Gyan, supported by the excellent Jordan Henderson, continued to forge the best opportunities, and Welbeck nearly had a second when he rolled the ball against the far post.

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