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Sam Allardyce’s Blackburn Rovers reign got off to the perfect start with an impressive win against Stoke City.

Click Here To Watch First Half Highlights

Benni McCarthy’s penalty, awarded after Ibrahima Sonko fouled Morten Gamst Pedersen, opened the scoring in the ninth minute.

Click Here To Watch Second Half Highlights

Jason Roberts bundled home the second from close range and McCarthy turned in a third before half-time.

Roberts was denied by Stoke keeper Steve Simonsen after the break and McCarthy also shot against the post.

Allardyce will have been delighted by the endeavour and cutting edge displayed by his new team, while Stoke City’s display was the perfect illustration of why they have not won away from home in the Premier League this season.

Stoke did manage a revival of sorts in the second half, but Blackburn were never in serious danger of seeing their lead clawed back.

New boss Allardyce was given a rousing reception when he was introduced to the Blackburn fans prior to kick-off – and they were rapturous again after a dream first 45 minutes for Paul Ince’s successor.

Roque Santa Cruz was ruled out with a calf strain sustained in training on Friday, but McCarthy and Roberts hinted that life will go on at Blackburn if the striker, who is again being linked with a move to Manchester City, leaves Ewood Park in January.

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