Sub Quinn seals win

Reid's team attacked constantly in the second half

Sunderland 1-0 Blackburn

Niall Quinn struck late as Sunderland claimed a hard-fought victory over promoted side Blackburn.

Quinn had come on as substitute during the second half for French striker Lilian Laslandes.

The 35-year-old Irishman headed the winner nine minutes from time from Stefan Schwarz's cross from the right.

The win makes it a decent start for Sunderland, with two wins and a draw from their first four games, while Blackburn must reflect on a tame effort in the intimidating North East atmosphere.

We were guilty of missing some very good chances and at this level you must take them

Blackburn manager Graeme Souness

Despite a scrappy start, which saw an early booking for Black Cats defender George McCartney, Sunderland established their dominance through sustained pressure.

Kevin Phillips, looking for a goal to become Sunderland's post war record league goalscorer, had the first real opportunity in the 10th minute with a rising shot which failed to find the target.

Phillips perhaps feeling the pressure of being close to breaking the record exhibited nerves in front of goal, then failed to connect when in good position.

The scrappy nature of the game did not help Sunderland nerves and that condition was hardly improved when Matt Jansen fired in Rovers' first shot on target, in the 29th minute.

The hosts responded with their best work of the half with Bernt Haas and Rae combining before Laslandes flicked a shot just wide from a near post position.

Just before the end of the half, the Wearside outfit had a penalty appeal turned down with Henning Berg appearing to handle Rae's left foot cross.

I don't think we've played really well this season and we've got seven points, so I can't wait to see us start playing well

Sunderland manager Peter Reid

Keith Gillespie became the first Blackburn player to be booked for a foul on Julio Arca, but from the resulting free-kick, Phillips blasted over.

Much like the second half, it was pretty tedious stuff, but Laslandes had a great chance to score his first Premiership goal in the 53rd minute but he missed the target when going for the top corner.

Sunderland began to mount a sustained offensive, with both Arca and Laslandes going close again before the latter was replaced by Quinn.

And it was Quinn who succeeded where others failed to give Sunderland the superiority they deserved for their efforts.

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Sunderland: Sorensen, Haas, Gray, Craddock, McCartney, Rae, Schwarz, McCann, Arca, Phillips, Laslandes. Subs: Ingham, Williams, Kilbane, Quinn, Bellion.

Blackburn: Friedel, Berg, Bjornebye, Taylor, Duff, Flitcroft, Mahon, Gillespie, Jansen, Neil, Bent. Subs: Tugay, Hughes, Hignett, McAteer, Miller.

Referee: M Dean (The Wirral).