Arnor Sigurdsson’s late strike ensured Blackburn Rovers secured a comeback 2-1 victory against Oxford United.
Rovers had applied the most pressure in the second half but looked like they would be left frustrated at Ewood Park. However, substitute Sigurdsson netted with less than 10 minutes remaining to ensure back-to-back home league wins for the first time since March 2023.
Both goals came in a quick flurry at the end of the first half. Mark Harris scored a spectacular volley from 35 yards to end a spell where Oxford had been on top.
But Rovers replied instantly thanks to Joe Rankin-Costello. He reacted quickest after the ball pinballed around the box and turned the ball in on the turn.
The hosts improved after half-time and added more intensity to their game, without having the cutting edge in the final third.
The closest Rovers came was Andi Weimann‘s flicked header which just went past the post. That looked to be the best they’d muster as the game headed towards a draw.
But Sigurdsson stepped off the bench and settled the contest. He picked up the ball on the left, jinked inside and fired a great shot off the post and into the corner to win the game.
Eustace handed a first Championship start to Yuki Ohashi as reward for his late leveller at Carrow Road. That was their only change with Hayden Carter passed fit to start after being an injury doubt.
Oxford came into the match off the back of late heartbreak at Coventry City. But Des Vuckingham’s side had acquitted themselves well in their opening two matches, back at the level for the first time in 25 years.
They looked bright early on, particularly on the counter-attack. Matt Phillips tested the reflexes of Aynsley Pears after cutting inside on his left foot.
Rovers responded in an open start to the match. Jamie Cumming had to be alert first to deny Ohashi before pushing Ryan Hedges‘ header around the post from the resulting corner.
The game then lulled with neither side showing enough quality in the final third. Oxford were on top though and should’ve led through El Mizouni but he headed wide when free inside the box.
As the half ambled towards half-time, it suddenly sprung into life. Harris with the goal of his career to open the scoring, leathering the ball into the net from 35 yards.
It was a long goal-kick, knocked down by Phillips and Harris’ audacious attempt turned out to be spectacular. But despite the quality of the goal, the lead didn’t last very long.
Rovers responded immediately through Rankin-Costello. The ball cannoned and ricocheted in the area but he was alive to steer the ball in on the turn, for his first of the season.
That appeared to be the wake-up call Rovers needed. They started the second half with far more energy, helped by the early introduction of Makhtar Gueye.
The team had someone who could stretch the opposition in-behind, which they’d lacked in the first half. A target to play from too.
Whilst being the dominant side, they struggled to fashion too many clear openings. Fellow sub Weimann came close as his flicked header went just wide of the post after a great set-piece delivery.
Rovers got their winner in the final 10 minutes as the game looked to be heading towards a draw. Sigurdsson received the ball from Gueye on the left, faced up his defender and curled it in, off the post.