Blackburn will spend Christmas bottom of the Premiership after a 2-1 home defeat to fellow strugglers Bolton on a night which could have decided the fate of Rovers boss Steve Kean. No club in top-flight history has avoided relegation after losing as many of their opening 16 matches as Bolton, but on this performance they more capable of avoiding the drop then their Lancashire neighbours Blackburn, who apart from a spirited late rally were woeful.
Rovers had the worst possible start as Bolton took the lead within five minutes through Mark Davies, and if this goal gave the visitor's confidence the body language of the home side told its own story.
More terrible defending allowed Bolton to double their advantage before the break when Nigel Reo-Coker scored on the counter attack with an assist by Martin Petrov.
Blackburn have now failed to keep a clean sheet in 20 games but game themselves a lifeline when Yakubu reduced the arrears from David Hoilett's incisive pass.
This prompted a period of sustained pressure from the host's as Bolton defended desperately and hung on for a vital win.
Whether Kean will survive a meeting of the Blackburn owner's tomorrow is a mute point particularly as many Rovers fans spent much of the match calling for his exit.
Bolton remain in the bottom three but boss Owen Coyle will take heart from this result and performance.
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Venue: Ewood Park
Attendance: 25,570
Blackburn scorers: Yakubu 67 Bolton scorers: M Davies 5, Reo-Coker 30
TRIBAL ASKS: Surely Blackburn boss Steve Kean must be shown the door now?
Yellow cards: Formica (BLA), Lowe (BLA), Dunn (BLA)
