The rousing reception given to O'Neill at the Stadium of
Light was temporarily forgotten when Blackburn went in front in the 17th minute
with a Simon Vukcevic header.
The hosts, who enjoyed much of the possession against their
defensive visitors, were denied by some superb saves by Blackburn goalkeeper
Paul Robinson before David Vaughan's 84th-minute equalizer from 25 meters out
started the late turnaround.
Two minutes into stoppage time, Sunderland were awarded a
free kick 20 meters out and Larsson stepped up to curl in a stunning effort
that sent home fans into noisy celebrations and O'Neill jumping up and down
along with them.
"We have got some points on the board, which is vital
for our confidence and vital for the crowd," O'Neill told Sky Sports.
"For periods I suppose, it was a microcosm of our
season. I think the players have played well enough in games but not been able
to score a goal, conceded maybe a poorish goal and then succumbed.
"I thought they were terrific today, I thought they
played brilliantly, they kept at it as well which is important." The win
lifted Sunderland out of the relegation zone and up to 16th place with 14
points from 15 games. Blackburn remain stuck in trouble, second from bottom
with 10 points, two behind Wigan Athletic and one above Bolton Wanderers.
"We needed the win, and in that kind of manner,"
Larsson told Sky Sports.
"He (O'Neill) has come in with a lot of energy, a lot
of enthusiasm and he's told us he believes in us. He's trying obviously to lift
us after having had a tough time but this will do us the world of good and
hopefully we can push on." Blackburn's miserable day ended on an even
worse note when Jason Lowe was taken off on a stretcher in stoppage time with a
head injury after a collision with Larsson.
"We are in the wars but I think we were good for a
point today," said Blackburn's under-fire manager Steve Kean, who can
brace himself for more fan protests after a ninth defeat of the season.
Third-placed
Tottenham Hotspur play Stoke City later on Sunday seeking to move back to
within two points of second-placed Manchester United who won 4-1 at home to
Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
