CHRISTOPHER Samba enhanced his growing reputation with a commanding performance at the back and further forward against Tottenham to cap a perfect week for the 23 year-old.

Last Monday the Congo international signed a new five-year deal to keep him at the club until the summer of 2012, and celebrated in the best possible way with a last-minute winner at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

By his own admission Samba has endured a frustrating start to the season in front of goal, but his manager Mark Hughes wasn't surprised to see him grab the 93rd minute winner.

"When you do throw him up there he can, on occasions, cause a little bit of a problem in the opposition box and thankfully the ball dropped nicely for him and it was a fantastic strike," said Hughes.

"We were right behind it on the bench and as soon as it left his foot it was in all the way.

"He's done that in his career before he got here. Invariably at Hertha Berlin he was on the bench and he was like a 'special team' going on there for the last five minutes, throwing him on at the end of games.

"He's still got that ability to go into the opposition box and try to get on the end of things and cause a little bit of mayhem - and he certainly did that at White Hart Lane yesterday."

The 23 year-old was an unknown quantity when Mark Hughes plucked him from the obscurity of Hertha Berlin's substitutes bench to become a favourite amongst the Ewood faithful, and a force to reckon with in the Barclays Premier League.

Samba arrived initially on a week's trial during last January's transfer window, immediately impressing the coaching staff at Rovers, prompting Hughes to take a closer look at the defenders who were on Hertha Berlin's books before splashing just £400,000 on Samba.

"We immediately had a look at the two guys that were keeping Chris out, when we became aware of the ability he had.

"But I think the circumstances were difficult for Chris and he needed to get out of that situation, which he has done.

"He's come to Blackburn and he's flourished, like a lot of players do."

See Samba in action at Ewood Park this Saturday when Liverpool are the visitors. Tickets for the 5.15pm match are on sale to Rovers fans with a database history of purchasing tickets for previous Rovers matches. Prices are from just £25 for Adults and £15 for Seniors, Club 16-21 Members and Juniors. Call the ticket office on 0871 222 1444 for further details.