GRAEME Souness rubbished suggestions that Blackburn's status as Division One championship favourites would be a burden.

The Rovers boss saw his side kick off with a comfortable 2-0 home win against Crystal Palace and said equally emphatically: "I would rather be favourites to go up than favourites to go down. It's not a burden."

Ex-Wanderer Nathan Blake, suddenly back in favour after being told he had no future at Ewood at the end of last season, and Matt Jansen got the goals to put a smile on Souness' face. "Last year the club didn't get a good start but you can't ask for more than three points on the first day."