London: Blackburn Rovers beat fierce Lancashire rivals Burnley 3-2 in a lively Sunday lunchtime derby in the Premier League.
In the first top flight clash between the sides for 43 years, it was Burnley who made a dream start when Robbie Blake sent an unstoppable long-range shot past Rovers keeper Paul Robinson in the fifth minute.
David Dunn silenced the visiting fans when he equalised four minutes later before Franco Di Santo, on loan from Chelsea, headed Rovers in front and Pascal Chimbonda made it 3-1 just before the interval.
Burnley created several opportunities to get back into the game in the second half and Chris Eagles gave them hope late on but Rovers survived to take the points.
Later on Sunday Manchester City can move into the top four if they beat Wigan Athletic.
Bureau Report
First Published: Sunday, October 18, 2009, 23:09