Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Bristol City
Blackburn Rovers came from behind to earn a crucial draw against fellow Championship strugglers Bristol City. Sam Gallagher's powerful header back across goal ensured Rovers, who remain in the relegation zone, are still two points from safety with three to play.Tammy Abraham's 22nd goal of the season, an exquisite finish past David Raya, had earlier put City in front.
Abraham, Matty Taylor and Josh Brownhill all wasted chances to make it 2-0 before Rovers rescued a point. On-loan Chelsea striker Abraham, 19, was arguably most guilty, shooting straight at the goalkeeper when through on goal as the Robins created a host of great opportunities prior to Gallagher's equaliser. Bristol City remain four points above the relegation zone, with fixtures against Barnsley, Brighton and Birmingham remaining.
They could have all but sealed their Championship survival during a dominant first 70 minutes at Ewood Park, but were unable to hold on for a third successive win.Blackburn face Wolves, Aston Villa and Brentford in their final three matches of the season. Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray:"The frustration was the goal we let in really. We ultimately tried to play offside and it was a really sloppy decision from us."And yet the story of the game was the changes we made, the way the team clawed their way back into the game and then, for us, ultimately a penalty decision that wasn't given, that having watched it back looks a clear penalty kick."In an ideal world it would have been a day where we didn't play particularly well, but came away with three points. Ultimately we've come away with one. On a day that (Nottingham) Forest lost and Birmingham lost, it's a point we have to put in the bag."
Bristol City boss Lee Johnson: "I thought it was outstanding, our performance today. My only criticism really is we should have put it to bed. We have to make sure we're more clinical with our chances because we created numerous ones."I thought the goal was outstanding, I think it was 31 passes that led to the goal, so my analyst tells me. It shows that we have a bright young side that has to do a job this year and then we can kick on."
Blackburn Rovers 3 Fulham 2
BLACKBURN Rovers Under-23s beat play-off rivals Fulham 3-2 in an entertaining Premier League 2 encounter at the County Ground in Leyland, writes Sam Jones. Damien Johnson's side made it five wins in their last six league outings to move in to the Division 2 play-off spots with one game remaining.George Williams’ second-half strike gave the away side the lead, but Lewis Mansell hit back soon after. Defender Joe Grayson scored his first goal of the season to put Rovers in front, before Willem Tomlinson’s strike secured all three points, despite Williams grabbing a consolation deep in to injury time.
It was the visitors who created the opening chance of the game after 10 minutes. Mattias Kait ran down the right and crossed for Elijah Adebayo, whose back-heeled effort was saved by Andrew Fisher. Adebayo kept Fisher busy as he smashed a shot towards the near post that the Rovers stopper was down low to parry out for a corner. Lively left-back Adetayo Edun then got in behind the Rovers backline, but drilled his shot wide.
On the stroke of half-time Stephen Hendrie fashioned Rovers’ best opportunity of the first half as he fired a shot towards the top corner, but Magnus Norman was on hand to tip it over the bar. Rovers were much improved in the second period, but they fell behind on 53 minutes when George Williams was played through on goal and rounded Fisher before placing the ball into an empty net. However, Rovers responded two minutes later as Hendrie’s low cross picked out Mansell, who finished first time for his fifth league goal of the season.
The chances continued to flow at both ends as Fisher was out quickly to deny Kait, who was foiled once again by the Rovers ‘keeper when his powerful shot was heading for the bottom corner. Rovers turned the game around courtesy of Lewis Hardcastle’s corner, which was lashed in by Joe Grayson from close range mid-way through the second half. They made it 3-1 with a quarter of an hour to play as Willem Tomlinson converted Connor Thomson’s cut back. And Rovers could have added to their lead had Daniel Butterworth found the net from another Thomson cross, but the striker’s effort went just over the bar.
But in the fifth minute of stoppage time, Fulham got a goal back. Kait’s shot was parried by Fisher into the path of Williams, who couldn’t miss from five yards out. But Rovers continued their impressive form to move in to the top five ahead of their game against Aston Villa next Monday (7pm) at Ewood Park, a prequel to the first team game between the sides five days later.
Blackburn Rovers 0-2 Barnsley
Two goals in the first 10 minutes gave Barnsley a victory at Blackburn which put Rovers in deeper relegation trouble in the Championship. Wins for Nottingham Forest and Bristol City, and Burton's draw with Aston Villa, left Blackburn four points from safety with five games remaining. Captain Marc Roberts headed Barnsley in front from Ryan Kent's corner after just three minutes at Ewood Park.Marley Watkins fired a superb second in off the crossbar from 25 yards.Saturday's EFL action as it happened Having made a bright start under Tony Mowbray following his appointment in February, Rovers have not won in seven games and results elsewhere have pushed them closer to the drop.
Blackburn have not been in the third tier since 1979-80.Connor Mahoney offered the main threat in reply after Barnsley's fast start, and his delivery from a corner created the home side's best chance as Derrick Williams' header was cleared off the line by George Moncur.Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray: "It's always been a big job and today's results obviously don't help at all. "If you're looking for a positive and a light at the end of the tunnel, the next two games are against Forest and Bristol City and we have to go and try and take maximum points of course."It's a time to stick together, it's a time not to pick holes in each other. It's a time to find team spirit that will hopefully get us results."
Barnsley boss Paul Heckingbottom: "In terms of the money we've spent and the budget we've got, it's an unbelievable achievement. If there was a league table for points per pound, we may be top."I'm delighted, but we've also set the players a little target of finishing with as many wins as losses as a minimum, plus positive goal difference."We're on course and if we do that, we'll probably be the best Barnsley team since the one that got into the play-offs in 2000."
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