Derby striker Dean Sturridge struck twice in a 3-1 victory at Pride Park to put a large dent in Blackburn's Premiership title hopes.

Roy Hodgson's side went into the match looking to reduce the eight-point gap between themselves and Manchester United but they were left with a mountain to climb after Sturridge's double blast.

The Blackburn manager Roy Hodgson (Dur:0-24)

Ironically, Rovers enjoyed the lion's share of the possession and in the early stages they failed to make the most of two golden opportunities.

But Derby proved to be deadly on the counter-attack as Sturridge celebrated his return after a thigh injury with his seventh and eighth goals of the campaign.

Rovers started full of confidence and Rams keeper Mart Poom was quickly called into action to save a close-range effort from Kevin Gallacher after he had played a one-two with Chris Sutton.

Derby defender Gary Roward (Dur:0-20)

But Derby broke the deadlock in the 14th minute. Jonathan Hunt's pass was flicked on by Paulo Wanchope and the alert Sturridge, who was close to being offside, drilled a low shot past Tim Flowers from 12 yards.

After the initial excitement, play went into a lull, with Blackburn still on top territorially, but failing to look as menacing as in the early stages.

Four minutes before the interval, Derby went further ahead - although this time they needed a slice of luck.

Francesco Baiano's low cross was hit towards goal by Sturridge, but it took a deflection off Hendry and wrong-footed Flowers as it flew inside his near post.

In the second period Blackburn pressed and again had a majority of the possession.

Chris Sutton heads Blackburn's goal

After 68 minutes, Chris Sutton, forced an excellent save from the Derby keeper Poom after a goal-mouth scramble, and only moments later he headed over from 10 yards out.

Blackburn kept up the pressure but with time running out their attempts started to become increasingly desperate. Centre-back Colin Hendry was spending more time in the Derby half than his own.

But eventually, the continued barrage of the Derby box paid off for the Lancashire club. A seemingly nothing-ball was headed in by Chris Sutton to give Blackburn a glimmer of a chance but the goal was cancelled out only seconds later by Paulo Wanchope.

Paolo Wanchope, delighted to get Derby's third

After a corner that bobbled around the Blackburn area, the giant Derby striker showed a great deal of persistence and skill to bring the ball down and fire past keeper Tim Flowers.

Wanchope's goal finished off the Blackburn challenge and showed that despite Roy Hodgson's team's undeniable flair and skill it was Derby's speed, power and gutsy defending that claimed the spoils.

The Derby boss, Jim Smith, had to pick a side from an injury-hit squad but his players showed him why their ground is called 'Pride Park'.
 

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