Blackburn 4-2 Swansea: Sunday Mirror match report

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Yakubu shamed his critics with an amazing four goals – and handed Steve Kean a lifeline.

Yakubu was dismissed by many pundits – not to mention Blackburn fans – as a journeyman striker whose best days were long gone when Rovers just beat the clock to sign him on transfer deadline day in August.

But yesterday the Nigeria striker put on a vintage show that will have given Kean renewed hope of pulling the club from the mire.

Not that the home fans were in the mood to let their beleaguered boss off the hook.

After Yak’s first, third and fourth goals he ran over to his boss for a high-five – but this impressive show of solidarity was booed by a section of supporters, some of whom took up their season-long mantra of “Kean out”.

Blackburn’s exit from the Carling Cup in midweek did the under-fire Scot no favours with the Rovers faithful, who took great exception to the his comment that he had “forfeited” the tie.

But his tactics were vindicated by the restoration of a refreshed Yakubu, along with goalkeeper Paul Robinson and defender Chris Samba.

After 20 minutes, Yakubu played a one-two with Gael Givet and rifled the ball into the top left-hand corner of the Swansea net.

This glorious opener was cancelled by a Leroy Lita headed equaliser from Mark Gower’s cross.

But Yakubu’s impressive Premier League scoring record of 106 goals in just 225 starts speaks for itself.

True, he has struggled with his form since the 2010 World Cup where he made a world-famous goof in front of goal during a group match against South Korea.

But on Saturday he showed he has clearly got his mojo back.

Just before half-time he headed in sub Simon Vukcevic’s cross from close range to restore Rovers’ lead.

He completed a superb hat-trick by nodding in from a similar distance after Samba had headed Morten Gamst Pedersen’s corner into the box.

Brendan Rodgers’ side got back into the game when Luke Moore smashed home from a few yards out after Robinson had palmed Wayne Routledge’s shot straight into his path.

But after Joe Allen was sent off, for a second bookable offence, the Swans lost the plot and Neil Taylor brought down Vukcevic to give away a penalty.

Up stepped the Yak to coolly slot the ball home and seal only Blackburn’s second league win of the season.

Not that the Kean-baiting stopped – large numbers of fans only being inspired by the goal to sing yet another tiresome round of “We want Keano out”.

***

The big issue

Canclubs like Blackburn and Swansea, average attendances 23,000 and 20,000, survive in the Premier League?

It's not just the small size of Blackburn's crowd but the fact that their fans' protests against their own manager have helped to destabilise the team. On Saturday, a crowd of 23,080 saw Rovers grab only a second win of the season - but their manager was still booed.

Survival in the Premier League this season still looks a tall order for Kean's men, unless the crowd get behind the team. As for the Swans, they might have acquired the support of many neutrals due to their captivating style of football, but they have still win on their travels.

Still, it would be fantastic - and encouraging for many unfashionable clubs - if smaller and well-run outfits like Swansea manage to stay up.

Match verdict

A much-needed win for rock-bottom Blackburn thanks to Yakubu - but it didn't stop their fans staging a sit-in protest against boss Steve Kean after the match.

Man of the match: Yakubu (9) The Yak is back. The Nigerian striker scored all four Blackburn goals to give the team hope.

Referee: Chris Foy (7)

Kept control well and was right to send off Joe Allen for two bookable offences.