David Dunn scores Rovers' first.

What a result.

Granted, Bolton were shocking, just awful, but two goals, a clean sheet and three points later, Rovers now sit in 11th place, just one point off the top half of the Premier League.

Indeed, if we take a point at Fulham on Wednesday night in our game in hand, we go above Burnley and into 10th place.

Back to the game, and we dominated from start to finish. Ending the away match-losing streak in style.

David Dunn’s goal was one of the best team goals you are likely to see. Robbo catching the Bolton cross, before releasing Di Santo with a superb throw. Dunn, in the meantime, set off running from the edge of the Rovers box, and Di Santo passed to Roberts on the edge of the box. With his back to goal, Roberts held off the defence, while Dunn continued his run. At the perfect moment, Roberts played it just in front of Dunn, who sublimely slotted the ball into the top corner. Fantastic. A real joy to watch.

The second was also a joy to watch, but for obvious different reasons. One of those huge slices of luck that hardly ever happens to us. As a lack of communication saw Jaaskelainen come running out of his box while Sam Ricketts headed it back into an empty net!

The three points and a solid win should do a lot to stem any worries over our fortunes this season.

Yes, we had, before yesterday, lost five consecutive away games, a 100 per cent losing streak on our travels this season, but let’s look at those matches.

Sunderland, Everton, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United. The latter aside, Sunderland have shown themselves to be a very good side this season, and the 3-0 defeat at Everton was a very bad day at the office – which we all have.

As well as ending a bad run and moving us up in the table, the result gives us back-to-back wins. If we can follow that up with a positive result at Fulham on Wednesday, by positive I mean a point, and a win at home to Stoke on Saturday, we can really turn our season around!

In the meantime, I’m off to buy some altitude sickness pills…

Di Santo puts Rovers 2-1 up.

Cracking game. Cracking atmosphere. Cracking result.

Three points is what was needed yesterday, regardless of the opposition, and Rovers duly delivered with a solid performance, just reaffirming our status as the top team in Lancashire.

It didn’t start well, Robbie Blake’s early goal was a great finish, but he should never have had the chance as Rovers’ defenders just kept backing away. But the equaliser came, and it just had to be Dunny. Franco’s first for the club wasn’t pretty, but neither was it a foul on keeper Brian Jensen, although some referees may have viewed it as such. Chimbonda was another player who got his first for the club, a lovely effort right at the end of the first half capping off a good performance.

Pre-match music came in the shape of Seven – Blackburn (Rovers in his heart), a song I posted from YouTube recently. I don’t know if they already knew about it, but I like to think I played a part in bringing this random song to Rovers’ attention…

Rovers looked solid throughout, and this was our third home win in succession. Fortress Ewood is what we need this season and after recent performances it looks as though we could be heading in the right direction.

David Dunn was always going to be a key player and he performed exceptionally. His goal brought the scores level and he never stopped running from start to finish, eventually winning the man of the match award. You could see how much the game meant for the only local boy in either side. Before the game he went round to each individual player passing on his views as to the importance of this fixture and I’m certain his words will have had an influence.

Franco Di Santo showed us just how good he is, and it’s unfortunate he probably won’t stay past January. He ran his socks off and scored a vital goal. Also, as he was substituted he kissed the Rovers badge on his shirt, a nice touch that means a lot to Rovers fans.

As ever I thought Robinson was solid. He had little to do, and could do nothing about either goal, but what he did have to do he did with minimal fuss. If he doesn’t get a place in the England team soon, there’s no justice.

In midfield we were solid. N’Zonzi also impressing with his best performance to date. Although Pedersen is still a bit lazy, his throw ins come in extremely useful and he is improving. Diouf struggled with the intensity of the game and was replaced by Emerton, who looked impressive once more as he makes his comeback from injury.

In defence we were also solid. You could see the difference with Samba and Nelsen back in the centre, compared to the back four against Arsenal they were a lot better.

The game itself was good. I assume a good one for the neutrals watching on Sky. The fans didn’t disappoint, singing throughout and, for the first time in all my life watching Rovers, standing up for 90 minutes.

The fans had also come up with a new chant to mark the occasion, the Dingles regaled with ‘Hands up, put your hands up, show me your six fingers, show me your six fingers,’ extremely inventive for the usually quite unimaginative Rovers home crowd.

Certain commenters on this blog have argued that Burnley is not the ‘biggest’ game of Rovers’ season. I have to say that you only needed to be at Ewood yesterday to see the importance of this fixture. Sure, Manchester United is a big match, but nowhere near as big as this. I’ve never celebrated a goal quite so ecstatically as I did when Dunny slid the ball in from the edge of the box for the equaliser.

Having sealed the win, some bright spark at Ewood had the great idea of playing the Black Eyed Peas ‘I gotta feeling’, and the lyric ‘tonight’s gonna be a good night’ was extremely appropriate as thousands of Rovers fans headed for the pub.

Unable to get into the Aqueduct, it was too packed, we went to the Moorings, which also became heaving. We then headed for the Postal Order in the town centre.

After most Rovers games, the fans slip off to wherever and just become people again, but yesterday was different. The fans congregated inside the pub and sang Rovers songs. Doesn’t sound that big a deal but it’s just not something Rovers fans tend to do. It was also odd to see the Postal heaving at 4pm on a Sunday!

Back to football. It’s not been the best season for Rovers so far, and we’re still two points behind the Dingles. But things are looking a lot rosier now we’ve avoided the embarrassment of defeat. At least we can hang on to the bragging rights.

Bring on Turf Moor in March, that’s the next big thing.

David Dunn equalises for Rovers.

PS – Laura S, what’s the score? (From Anthony)

Captain Gary Flitcroft and the Rovers team celebrate Craig Short giving Rovers the lead in our 5-0 rout of Burnley in April 2001.

Battle lines are drawn. The plotters are plotting. And 30,000 East Lancastrians are salivating at the prospect of the most important game for either club since 2005.

As I’m sure you’re aware, Rovers take on Burnley at Ewood Park tomorrow in the Premier League’s biggest derby game this season.

Followers of Arsenal and Tottenham, or Manchester City and Manchester United may scoff at such a suggestion. But the intensity and hatred surrounding this fixture, coupled with its irregularity over the past few years (I’m 22 and this is only the fifth game between our two clubs in all those years!), make it so much more important.

It’s not often that football in East Lancashire becomes the focus of so much media attention. But it’s been difficult to escape this week. Not since 1966 have our two clubs, steeped in history, met in the top flight, and that’s what makes the difference.

The FA Cup was passionate. As was the First Division back in 2000/01 (2-0 and 5-0 anyone?). But nothing compares to both sides competing in the biggest football league in the world.

This past week suddenly everyone has remembered their roots. Tim Sherwood, Paul Gallagher, David Hamilton (who played for both clubs in the 80s), Ken Beamish, Martin Dobson (Burnley) and Simon Garner have all had a say in the press. As have several current players and both managers, as you would expect. It’s the most excited I’ve been about a match for a long time.

In fact, it’s so big my Dad only got a season ticket because Burnley had been promoted!

After all the build-up though, it’s all about the 90 minutes. And for those 90 minutes, Rovers must keep their cool. If the lads can stay calm, we should brush the Dingles aside. They’ve been shite away from home so far this season and are still to score a goal on their Premiership travels.

The players must leave all the derby day hatred to the fans, we’ll have plenty.

David Dunn is our most important player. He’s done well this season and a performance against Burnley would re-cement his place in the heart of every Rovers fan. He’s the only player who knows the true meaning of this game. A Blackburn lad, who shares our hatred for the bastards in claret and blue.

I’m going to have to sign off. Got lots to do before the game tomorrow. So all that’s left to be said is:

There’s an ale house in Burnley I used to frequent,

When I saw Owen Coyle, his money was spent,

And he asked me to pay,

But I answered him nay,

Cos I’ll hate Burnley bastards til my dying day,

And it’s no nay never,

No nay never no more,

Til we play the Burnley bastards,

No nay never no more!

Enjoy the game.

Stephen Warnock

My dad runs a dry-lining firm (anyone in the north west wants some dry-lining doing, let me know), and his firm will be dry-lining David Dunn’s new castle mansion palace house.

He was over there on Friday chatting with the Rovers midfielder and, although it’s no secret something’s going on, Dunny told him he reckons Stephen Warnock is on his way to Villa.

I know it’s not the most ground-breaking, shocking secret ever to emerge from Ewood Park, but, horses mouth and all that…

It’s been in the news today that the left back, who has been a revelation since reviving his career at Ewood, was left out of the Sunderland game because he ‘wasn’t in the right frame of mind’ because of the constant talking about his future.

Now, it seems, we may be resigned to losing him. Which is sad. Warnock is one of those players that seems like a genuine nice guy. Not someone who’s in it for a year only to take the money and run. One for the fans to love.

In other news, The Rovers Return has been given the highly-prestigious honour of being Wsn.com‘s best independent Rovers blog. I’d like to thank God, I’d like to thank my daddy…

- Man it feels good to be out of the drop zone. Even though it’s only by the skin of our teeth.

- The first half was a shocker. The players seemed nervous and demonstrated a lack of confidence to run at the Geordies. The fans also seemed nervous and an eery quiet fell across the Rovers supporting contingents.

- The penalty was harsh, but who gives a shit?

- Two great goals followed. Both from Roberts. Have that JR doubters. The first a great finish where he had to act quickly, the second a wonderful run from Andrews let in Ped who crossed perfectly for Roberts to blast in from close range.

- Keith Andrews had a good game. I am still adamant he is a useful player, not as bad as he is made out by the quick to judge fans who hated him from the moment he signed! He also saved us in the first half by heading off the line in the only real moment of action in what was a poor first 45 minutes!

- Dunn’s introduction really livened us up. When it was him and Grella we bossed midfield and that proved vital in us controlling the second half and easing to victory.

- Dunn needs to shave. That beard makes him look a right tosser.

- Roque came on and looked like he was trying. Even tried playing in Roberts for his hat trick. If you weren’t there don’t believe what you see/read in the media. Despite being booed by some fans, most went on to chant his name.

- Benni’s free kick hit the post early in the second half. A great shot met by a great save from Given pushing it on to the woodwork. That would have been one of the best free kicks I’ve seen in a long while. It certainly had us out of our seats!

- I may have boosted our support numbers. Took a friend to her second ever match and she loved it. Obviously doesn’t know what she’s letting herself in for!