South African striker McCarthy scored in each half to mark his return to the starting line-up, with his Paraguayan partner also on target as Rovers made it five straight wins.

The pair have already scored 12 goals between them in all competitions this term to propel Rovers to sixth in the Premier League table with a game in hand on some of their rivals.

And having led the line for some of the world's leading clubs, the former Manchester United and Barcelona striker is well qualified to comment on the pair's pedigree.

"They are quicker, bigger, stronger and better looking than I ever was," Hughes said. "They are good players and I thought some of their play was excellent.

"Technically they are very proficient players so they are comfortable in possession, they can link the play, they can be creative in the final third and they can bring people into the game.

"In around their area we have the likes of (David) Bentley, (David) Dunn and Tugay - who was exceptional again - who can produce moments of magic.

"We are playing well at the moment, you can see the confidence in the side in the way we are trying to play and everybody is enjoying it."

At a combined cost of about £6million - roughly the same fee as Middlesbrough paid for Mido - few could argue with the value the pair have provided.

As if their impressive scoring records were not enough, the opening goal of the day at Ewood Park proved the pair are striking up an impressive understanding too.

Brett Emerton whipped an inviting cross to the back post which Santa Cruz headed back across the goal - and with Reading goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann stranded, McCarthy showed considerable poise to guide the ball home.

"It was a good goal," Hughes said. "Brett Emerton again had an influence - he has been outstanding this year. It was a good ball, a good knock back and Benni is a natural goalscorer, he will get in positions like that - it's food and drink for him."

Santa Cruz, who was doubtful for the game after suffering with tendinitis, slid home a second before a stunning 35-yard effort from Tugay put Rovers 3-0 up with little more than half an hour.

A McCarthy penalty - sandwiched between two carbon copy Kevin Doyle headers - after substitute Matt Derbyshire was clumsily clipped, ensured Hughes went home a happy man as Rovers claimed their first victory at home over the Royals for 27 years.

And the Blackburn boss believes his side's excellent form will stand them in good stead for the difficult trips to Tottenham and Liverpool and visit of champions Manchester United to Ewood Park which their next three games bring.

He said: "We are delighted with where we are at the moment, we have got a good return from the games we have played and we are playing well. I think that's five games in a row that we have won.

"We have difficult games coming up in fairness so we need to go into the run of games ahead of us in good heart and obviously a five game winning streak is perfect for us."

Defeat for Reading was already their fourth away from the Madejski Stadium in the league this term, leaving Steve Coppell's side with the unenviable record of one point from a possible 15 on their travels.

Hahnemann's positioning was questionable for Rovers' second and third goals but the Royals manager refused to blame his American goalkeeper.

"I think he was unsighted (for the third) and it was just the angle (for the second). Goalkeepers come out and make themselves as big as possible. Sometimes you save them sometimes you don't. He has been terrific for us so I've got no qualms with him."

Coppell has been forced to field questions over 'second-season syndrome' on a regular basis of late but he insists his side are in no worse shape than any other which has faced a second campaign in the top flight.

He said: "Statistically it is always tougher, it has got nothing to do with our individual case. If you look at all the teams I think Blackburn are one of only two sides who were better in their second season.

"Statistically it just happens that way, you can write a list of however many reasons as you want, it's hard in your first season, it's hard in your second."

REF'S REPORT: With no major contentious decisions to make and the contest played in a good spirits, it was a relatively straightforward Saturday afternoon for Andre Marriner.

FUSSY FACTOR: Marriner allowed the game to flow as much as possible and showed common sense in opting to lecture Brett Emerton and Stephen Hunt rather than reaching for his pocket when the pair squared up.