Boss Sam Allardyce was delighted with the improvement shown in the second half as Rovers eventually dispatched Newcastle by three goals to nil at Ewood Park.

The first half was instantly forgettable as both sides toiled, but once Benni McCarthy lashed Rovers in front from the spot there was only going to be one side that won the game.

Speaking on Radio Rovers after the game, manager Sam Allardyce gave an honest assessment of the match: "To be honest with you I didn't think we could have played any worse as that in the first half.

"At the break I told the lads, stop looking so nervous, stop playing so edgy and play the sort of game that will expose Newcastle's weaknesses.

"Of course the second half, started evenly then we found our way into the game, got our penalty at the crucial time and Benni has tucked it away.

"Then we've seen us take the game on from there and Newcastle go under, and we thoroughly deserved to win it on our second half performance."

The form of strikers Benni McCarthy and Jason Roberts in recent weeks meant that the returning Roque Santa Cruz had to settle for a place on the bench, and the duo rewarded their manager's faith by netting three goals between them once again.

"It is another two for Jason Roberts and another from Benni and it could have been many more in the end," added Allardyce.

"But I'm really pleased that the lads learnt their lesson, stayed tight, battled it out in the first half and then showed their abilities and their skills and their goalscoring powers in the second half which has given us a very comfortable win in the end."

With the majority of the side not involved in a match for the best part of three weeks, Allardyce did wonder if that had lead to the poor display in the opening half.

"It certainly seemed too long for them without a game by the way in which they performed in the first half. What I couldn't understand was how nervous we were in possession. We worked really hard to win the ball back but unfortunately we kept giving it back to the opposition. That gave them good possession and of course they had some opportunities in the first half and we had to defend very well to make sure they didn't get a goal at that stage.

"But in the second half I was very pleased."