Santa delivers again for Blackburn

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes praised Roque Santa Cruz after he scored his team's winner at MyPa in the second qualifying round of the UEFA cup.

The goal, which came just five minutes into Blackburn's 1-0 victory in Finland, was Santa Cruz's second in two games since joining the club and makes them hot favourites to qualify.

Hughes said the striker had taken confidence from his performance in Saturday's win against Middlesbrough and was already proving his doubters wrong.

"Roque's scoring record in Germany was an issue for some people but not me," he said.

"He is a match winner and will score a lot of goals for us, of that I am sure."

It was Santa Cruz's first start for Blackburn as Benni McCarthy, who was taken to hospital after taking a blow during the Middlesbrough match, sat out the tie.

Hughes said: "It was an excellent finish so early in the game. He showed his quality and getting a full game will help him.

"We are encouraged by Roque, so early in his career here and he can only get better.

"To be honest I am surprised by how quickly he seems to have adapted. You have to complement him on the way he trains and plays."

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