CHRIS Samba struck on 25 minutes to give Blackburn Rovers the advantage over Fulham at the interval of this afternoon's Premier League game at Ewood Park.

Samba boosted Blackburn’s bid for a first Premier League win in nine games with his fortunate opener - but the Rovers fans barely cared after their wretched run.

Samba was in the right place to deflect home a Benni McCarthy corner which had been booted straight at him by Mark Schwarzer in the Fulham goal.

Fulham poured forward after the goal with Clint Dempsey striking the bar with an overhead kick and Andy Johnson and Damien Duff both missing clear chances.