Sheffield Wednesday ended Blackburn's renaissance under Brian Kidd in
spectacular fashion at Ewood Park.
Kidd had led Rovers away from the relegation zone since taking charge in
December and they had suffered just one defeat in his first 13 games.
But Danny Wilson's Wednesday sank them with a three-goal salvo in the first
half and consigned them to their heaviest defeat of the season.
To be fair to Kidd he knows his side still have a long way to go to reach
"comfort zone territory" as he called it in his programme notes, but he will
have been dismayed by his side's defending.
Rovers' sloppiness at the back was painfully reminiscent of the last days
under previous boss Roy Hodgson as Wednesday scored with embarrassing ease.
Blackburn lost Chris Sutton, who could face an FA disrepute charge after
allegedly making an obscene gesture at Chelsea in midweek, because of an ankle
injury before kick-off, while Wednesday welcomed back Andy Hinchcliffe following
his knee injury.
The Owls had given Blackburn an early taste of the blitz to come when Andy
Booth sent a diving header just wide. Blackburn responded and Damien Duff fired
a 30-yard effort wide before the same player dallied over another chance 60
seconds later and Peter Atherton got across to block his shot.
Then came Wednesday's first goal on 20 minutes when Booth touched down Benito
Carbone's cross for Danny Sonner to slot the ball home into the far corner from
an acute angle.
It was the Northern Ireland international's first goal for the club since his
bargain £75,000 move from Ipswich in October.
Rovers' defence was coming apart at the seams and Wednesday doubled their lead
with a well-taken goal from Rudi five minutes before the interval.
Carbone pulled the ball back from the byline for the Norwegian to fire home
into the roof of the net.
The woodwork denied Rovers a swift riposte when Duff hit the underside of the
bar and then Keith Gillespie shot into the side-netting.
Worse was to follow for the home side in the 43rd minute when Rudi released
Jonk down the left and he returned the ball into the middle for the tall
midfielder to head home the visitors' third and his sixth of the season.
Blackburn brought on Nathan Blake for Matt Jansen at half-time in an attempt
to haul their way back into the game. They huffed and puffed for the next 10
minutes, but it was Wednesday who came closest to scoring when Carbone forced a
fine fingertip-save from John Filan.
Wednesday could and should have added a fourth when Rudi beat Blackburn's
offside trap to sprint clear, but he played the ball too far in front of Niclas
Alexandersson, who was well positioned to score.
Duff gave Rovers renewed hope with a flashing drive, which was deflected for a
corner, and midway through the half they pulled a goal back. Jason McAteer's
30-yard shot was deflected past Kevin Pressman for his first goal for his new
club.
Rovers stepped up the pressure and Emerson Thome survived a penalty appeal for
handball.
But Wednesday underlined their superiority when Booth capitalised on a mistake
by Marlon Broomes to score their fourth and his fourth of the season nine
minutes from time.
What joy for those Wednesday fans, who saw their side lose here 7-2 last
season.
Teams
Blackburn: Filan, Kenna, Henchoz (Peacock 49), Broomes, Davidson,
Gillespie, Dunn, McAteer, Duff, Ward, Jansen (Blake 46).
Subs Not Used: Flowers, Marcolin, Croft.
Goals: McAteer 68.
Sheff Wed: Pressman, Atherton, Alexandersson,
Walker (Briscoe 45), Hinchcliffe, Thome, Jonk, Rudi,
Sonner (Cobian 58), Booth, Carbone.
Subs Not Used: Clarke, Humphreys, Agogo.
Booked: Carbone.
Goals: Sonner 20, Rudi 40, 43, Booth 82.
Att: 24,643
Ref: A Wilkie (Chester-le-Street).
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