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   Blackburn Rovers cast their problems aside to chalk up their first
Premiership triumph of a troubled season, leaving much-fancied Liverpool
overwhelmed and decidedly second best. 
   The good times returned to Ewood Park as Rovers, managerless and without
a top flight win for six months, turned in a vintage all-action display
against the title favourites. 
   Liverpool were chasing shadows as Rovers established a two goal
advantage in a sizzling opening 24 minutes. 
   An early penalty, converted by leading scorer Chris Sutton, and a far
post tap in from Jason Wilcox, his first goal of the campaign, put Rovers
in the driving season. 
   When Sutton added number three -- the first time he has scored twice in
a match since October 1994 -- after 55 minutes it was all over for the
visitors. 
   Indeed, it took Liverpool 72 minutes to register a shot on target and
even then Tim Flowers dealt comfortably with Robbie Fowler's weak effort. 
   Rovers dominated for the most part and were full value for a morale
boosting victory -- a massive boost for caretaker boss Tony Parkes. 
   Blackburn were ahead inside three minutes, Billy McKinlay's pass
releasing Tim Sherwood, who in turn sent Sutton racing clear only for the
½5million striker to be tripped by Phil Babb. 
   Sutton sent David James the wrong way with the spot kick and Blackburn
were on their way. 
   McKinlay, a driving force in midfield, saw a long range effort deflected
just wide while Garry Flitcroft sent a power header inches over. 
   Blackburn's second came on 24 minutes. Flitcroft was instrumental in the
build-up and when Kevin Gallacher's deep cross from the right eluded the
visitors' defence Wilcox was on hand at the far post to strike from
unmissable range. 
   The introduction of Jamie Redknapp breathed some life into lethargic
Liverpool who enjoyed their best spell in the closing minutes of the first
half, Fowler smashing a volley too high and Patrick Berger firing just wide
after a neat lay off by skipper John Barnes. 
   Blackburn struck a decisive third blow 10 minutes after half time with
one of the finest goals seen at Ewood Park in the wake of Alan Shearer's
departure. 
   Five men were involved in the build-up and Gallacher again provided the
telling cross from which Sutton bent forward to glance a header beyond a   
stranded James. 
   Liverpool introduced Stan Collymore and for a time they threatened to
pull one back but Flowers came into his own with saves from Fowler and
Barnes. 
   When Redknapp sent a free kick some 10 yards high late on it summed up
Liverpool's woeful afternoon. 
   At the death Blackburn could have had a fourth, substitute Lars Bohinen
sending a screaming left foot drive across James and just wide. 

 Blackburn caretaker boss Tony Parkes said that today's 3-0 win against
Liverpool was a new beginning for the crisis club. 
   It was the first Premiership win of the season for the Ewood Park outfit
and Parkes said: "We're delighted. It speaks for itself that you're going
to be pleased when you beat Liverpool 3-0 after not managing a win in your
previous 11 games. 
   "I've left a very happy dressing room and this could be the first game
of the season as far as Blackburn Rovers are concerned."     
   Parkes said that the players had put a nightmare start to the season
behind them: "What's gone is gone. I believe we can go onward and upward.
We had a plan and it worked but I'm not going to say too much more about
that, we don't want to keep our secrets away. 
   "We tried a new formation and the players responded to it superbly well.
It was important that we put pressure on Liverpool and our attitude and
commitment in doing just that was really tremendous." 
   In spite of the unexpected turnaround in fortunes, Parkes remains under
no illusions regarding his own future. 
   "My own position remains unchanged," he said. "The club is looking for a
star name manager and whether I'll be here in a fortnight remains to be
seen. But we have good directors and a good owner and after 26 years I
certainly hope to be staying. 
   "But our situation cannot revolve around the interests of one man and
we've got to use this as a platform. The best thing is that the will and
the desire is there."  
   Rovers went a goal up inside three minutes through Chris Sutton's spot
kick and "bitterly disappointed" Liverpool manager Roy Evans said: "Right
from the word go we were caught out and it took us 35 minutes to get going. 
  "Once again we didn't defend well and there were careless mistakes and a
lack of resilience. 
   "It was a very poor team performance but give credit to Blackburn. They
got at us and didn't let us settle into our passing game. We'll have to
take stock because champions don't concede too many goals." 
   Evans also revealed that defender Stig Inge Bjornebye, who suffered a
leg injury, is rated doubtful for the forthcoming internationals.                                        

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