Dunn ignores jeers and prank calls to settle derby day

It was a derby double for Rovers in 2009/10, as Dunn scored from a hotly disputed penalty won by Martin Olsson, to give Sam Allardyce’s side all three points.

The Swede was in the thick of the action throughout, first having a goal disallowed for offside before winning a penalty on the half hour when going down under the challenge of goalkeeper Brian Jensen.

Referee Mike Dean pointed to the spot, with Dunn sending the ‘keeper the wrong way, to put Rovers ahead. Olsson thought he had doubled the lead in the second half, only for his effort adjudged to not have crossed the line when coming down off the crossbar.

But Dunn’s goal was enough, the midfielder scoring in the fixture for the second game running, and ignored jeers from behind the goal, and prank calls, to be the matchwinner.

“It was great for the supporters who came along today and obviously you want to do it for them.

“I have been inundated with texts from both Burnley and Blackburn fans. People trying to phone me up at 4.30am last night. I don’t know which idiots they were but luckily I had my phone on silent.

“It was obviously pleasing to win and to get on the score sheet. I know it is a bit cliched but the three points are the main thing.

“We defended very well as team, we knew it would be a difficult game, but I thought the back four were very good and we have players who could get that chance.

“I was worried because the last penalty I missed, it was good to put that right. I didn’t really worry about the abuse behind the net though, I just stayed focused and he went the other way. Even better.”

Dunn had been and injury doubt for the game, after suffering a calf injury late on in the win over Birmingham City four days earlier, with his brace settling that game.

Beating Burnley made it four wins in seven games for Rovers, easing their relegation fears, but putting pressure on the Clarets in their fight to beat the drop.

“I was playing,” he said. “I was definitely playing. I was struggling, it was a bit sore and I took a bit of a knock later on. It was sore but nothing I can’t get through.

“I said earlier in the week I wanted them to stay up. I exaggerated the 10-0 scoreline because I was trying to make a point.

“I didn’t want to get beat and I wanted to win 10-0 but I knew we wouldn’t. I knew it would be a tough game, but I genuinely hope they do go on a winning run and secure their position.

“I think for them to do that they have to play Robbie Blake and Chris Eagles from the start.

“That is not me trying to put pressure on but they did cause more problems because they are good footballers.”

The victory was just a second on the road for Rovers, but did move them to 41 points with six games remaining. And for boss Allardyce, he felt his side were deserving of more credit.

“We are looking on the up and enjoying our football,” he said.

“It’s been a great season already. We should be getting a bit more credit than we have.

“There's been an awful lot of perception thrown about, with long-ball this and ugly that which follows us around, but that has been nothing farther from the truth.

“We had a struggle at the start of the season because of all the new faces and the turnaround of players, but they have finally come to terms with each other, they are finally getting to know each other and enjoying each other’s company more.

“We are building something that will hopefully last us for a good period of time, based on the younger players who have done a magnificent job, and the older, experienced players, who have seen and done it for a long time.”

The following day, Rovers reserves beat Burnley 4-0, with Franco Di Santo scoring twice, with Maceo Rigters and Aaron Dolan completing the scoring.