A FIRST CHOICE PARTNERSHIP?

You would struggle to have believed on this evidence that this was just the second time that Darragh Lenihan and Charlie Mulgrew had played together in the heart of the Rovers defence.

It’s a partnership that has been brought about by unavailability elsewhere, but after an impressive shut-out against the league leaders, Rovers may have struck on something worth continuing.

They balance each other well, not least their right and left foot combination, with Lenihan’s brawn and competitive edge complementing the calmness and assured display of his partner Mulgrew perfectly.

They marked £15million man Aleksandar Mitrovic out of the game, and were first to many of the high balls that Newcastle put in to their penalty area.

Newcastle struggled to get in behind the Rovers backline which made their jobs easier, but they held their defensive line well throughout on their way to a deserved clean sheet.

Lancashire Telegraph:

GAMECHANGER FROM THE BENCH

Marvin Emnes helped turn the game in Rovers’ favour with his introduction just after the hour mark.  And how pleased Owen Coyle would have been to turn to his bench and see the Swansea man as one of his options.

He was sent on at a time when Newcastle were threating to get on top, but his extra dimension in attack, alongside Danny Graham who led the line well, helped Rovers assume control.

There is something of an enigma around Emnes, and always an element of surprise about what he will do with the ball at his feet.

But what he did bring was a real goal threat.  He linked up well with Graham moments after coming on, working a yard of space before firing wide on his left side.

He was also the man who would win the corner from which Rovers would grab the winner, as well as hitting the side netting as the visitors went on the attack in the closing stages.

Lancashire Telegraph:

ROVERS UPSET THE ODDS

All the talk, and most likely expectation, of the sell-out home crowd was the impending club record 10th consecutive win for Newcastle United.

Rovers were as wide as 9/1 with some bookmakers going in to the game, but within the camp, there was a quiet confidence that they could cause the upset that in the end they did.

Owen Coyle said in his pre-match press conference that people would be wrong to write off his side, and so it proved with a resilient display on the road.

And backed by some terrific travelling support, they executing their gameplan to perfection.

Rovers frustrated the hosts, and their fans, and as the game ticked towards it’s crucial end, they claimed all three points from a set play, an avenue they had success with all afternoon.

But it was their hard work, and discipline, off the ball, that caught the eye, and set the tone for an impressive away win.