The one crumb of comfort for Blackburn Rovers in their defeat against Arsenal was the performance of Roque Santa Cruz.

The Paraguayan, fresh from his hat-trick at Wigan, took his tally to five goals in two games.

However, once again, his heroics were ultimately to no avail.

"Roque has been outstanding again tonight," said Hughes.

"He's got five goals in two games and hasn't come out on the winning side, so it's hard to take for him, and everyone else.