Life and soul of the party

NINE months ago, all bets were on Ewood Park staging a championship party just about now.

But it was supposed to be Blackburn Rovers hosting it -- not newly-crowned First Division title winners Charlton Athletic.

Yet, while manager Graeme Souness admitted that he did not particularly enjoy the feeling of being a gatecrasher at someone else's 'do', at least Rovers did provide the party's star turn in David Dunn.

Charlton probably thought little of it when home-grown Dunn was introduced for the injured Callum Davidson just before half time.

But, an hour later, the impact had long since struck home.

Because Dunn made all the difference and, on the evidence of his performances since Souness arrived, the youngster is going to be a key figure next season.

He added drive, passion and positive play to a team which was starting to look as though it had seriously lost its way again.

Nothing complicated, just the simple things which, along with real menace in front of goal, are too often missing.

Yesterday's game was undoubtedly transformed by the midfielder's introduction, as he suddenly provided those factors for Rovers. "David Dunn came on, showed enthusiasm and spirit and an urgency which maybe we had been lacking," said Souness.

"And that's something that I have observed in the short time that I've been here -- that some of us are missing that sparkle.

"I can only put it down to confidence."

Starting with three at the back and Matt Jansen playing behind the front two, it was an interesting Rovers formation and prompted Charlton to make early adjustments.

But that lack of confidence, or whatever, also allowed the visitors to start to dictate play. They looked sharper and more decisive and in control.

Yet they certainly didn't look like world beaters once Rovers got to grips with their own game. Dunn initially played as a left wing back but then switched to the role behind the front two and, given the way he loves to run at defences and is capable of scoring goals, that is probably his best position.

It brought the penalty equaliser from Lee Carsley to Mathias Svensson's headed opener and could even have seen Rovers to a notable double over the new champs.

The game had begun at a lively pace and promised to be a vast improvement on some recent clashes.

But it looked ominous when Charlton, a bright and businesslike side -- as you would expect from their position -- took the lead in the 23rd minute. The build-up was excellent, John Robinson finding Chris Powell on the left and he reached the bye-line before dragging the ball back to Andy Hunt near the penalty spot.

Hunt lost his own marker with a super turn but his shot was blocked by Alan Kelly and a defender, the ball looping up and over them towards goal where Svensson flung himself forward to head in from point-blank range.

There was a definite suspicion of offside about Svensson when Hunt shot but no flag.

Six minutes later came Rovers' best moment of the half when they almost dug out an equaliser.

Jansen was set in motion by Ashley Ward and went for the jugular of the Charlton defence. Eventually he found space for a left-foot shot which was brilliantly finger-tipped round the post by Dean Kiely.

But Rovers' play was tentative and nervy at best and it was Charlton who were just as close to increasing their lead.

On the half-hour mark, Alan Kelly did really well to touch a Mark Kinsella drive onto a post and, four minutes later, Svensson wasted a great headed chance.

The turning point came -- though we didn't know it at the time -- just before the half-time whistle when Davidson crumpled to the floor with an ankle injury and was replaced by Dunn.

It was the midfielder who sparked Rovers' second-half revival, firing a dangerous drive just wide from 20 yards then sharing in one of their best moves of the game with Ward and Egil Ostenstad only for Mark Stuart to deflect the ball just over his own bar. Ward headed over from the corner but, in the 63rd minute, Dunn inspired an equaliser. He tricked two defenders on the edge of the penalty area and was too quick for Svensson who lunged in and tripped him.

Lee Carsley took the spot kick and blasted it low and hard almost straight down the middle as the keeper moved slightly to his right.

That goal prompted Charlton into retaliation with Kelly making a fine save from Svensson and Stuart firing just wide from the edge of the box.

But Rovers looked just as capable of winning the game and, inevitably, it was Dunn who had their best attempt -- a 78th minute volley which was blocked as it looked on its way into the corner of the net.

A much better second half from Rovers who, ironically, have taken four points from the newly-crowned champions.

If they had managed that from lesser sides near the bottom, there might still be some champagne on ice at Ewood.

Picture: Lee Carsley scores Rovers' penalty.