Blackburn Rovers were left bottom of the English Premier League after a 2-1 Lancashire derby defeat at home to fellow relegation candidates Bolton Wanderers at Ewood Park this morning (AEDT).
Bolton, which kicked off as the league's basement club and remained in the bottom three even after this win, enjoyed a sensational start.
Mark Davies put them ahead inside five minutes and Nigel Reo-Coker made it 2-0 on the half-hour.
Davies's goal reignited the terrace taunts from Rovers fans towards manager Steve Kean, who has been under fire since he was appointed by Venky's, the Indian-based poultry firm that owns the club, a year ago.
However, the jeers were stilled when Blackburn striker Yakubu pulled a goal back with 23 minutes left
But that was as good as it got for Rovers as they sunk to a costly home defeat.
"The fans come and expect us to get at Bolton and we didn't," Kean told the BBC.
"But I think they saw a response in the second half.
"It's not nice to lose any game, irrespective of what the fans are singing.
"Of course I will continue. We'll be positive and climb the table. There is no board meeting due, I spoke to the owners before the game and I am sure we will all stick together."
It had been suggested before kick-off that whichever of the two Scottish managers on show ended up on the losing side could be sacked before Christmas and Bolton boss Owen Coyle sympathised with Kean.
"I feel for Steve - the shoe could have been on other foot, but I'm delighted to come out on the right end of the result," Coyle told the BBC.
"We're in a position that's self-inflicted. But the fans got behind the team and they can go into Christmas with a smile on their faces.
"Steve Kean is a very gifted coach and manager. You could get the 20 best coaches in football and someone's got to occupy the bottom two. It's an easy story to write but sometimes changing manager is not the solution.
"Blackburn Rovers are a fantastic club. The supporters pay their money but have they ever given Steve a chance from the outset? I don't think so."
In the morning's other Premier League match, Wolves twice came from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw at home to promoted Norwich that left them two points above the drop zone.
Former Wolverhampton midfielder Andrew Surman gave Norwich an early lead before Sylvan Ebanks-Blake equalised before half-time.
Substitute Simeon Jackson made it 2-1 to Norwich with his first touch in the 76th minute before Wolves defender Ronald Zubar scored his first goal of the season six minutes later.
"It was exciting, captivating and excruciating at times," said Wolves manager Mick McCarthy.
"Irrespective of the goals we've conceded, we should have won with the amount of chances we created."
Norwich boss Paul Lambert added: "It was a bit frustrating at times...But I'm delighted with the way we played."
AFP
Tags: english-premier, soccer, sport, england, united-kingdom First posted December 21, 2011 10:38:26
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