Blackburn 1
McCarthy 57(pen)
Sunderland 0
Yorke s/o 71
Blackburn 1 Sunderland 0 January 02 2008
Benni McCarthy ended a 10-game drought to give Blackburn a win over 10-man Sunderland at Ewood Park in a tale of two penalties.
The first effort on goal did not come until the 26th minute when David Bentley sent a 25-yard free-kick over the wall but it drifted a yard wide.
Shortly before the break a good passing move from the visitors saw Dwight Yorke tee up Kenwyne Jones but he fired straight at Friedel.
The visitors were awarded a penalty at the start of the second period after Christopher Samba fouled Jones but Dean Whitehead's poor spot kick was easily saved by Friedel.
It was Blackburn's turn to win a penalty in the 57th minute after Danny Higginbotham handled Samba's volley and McCarthy made no mistake from 12 yards.
Dwight Yorke then saw red for Sunderland with 19 minutes to go after a second bookable offence.