Rovers’ first clean sheet of the season helped them return to winning ways as a stunning second-half performance put Hull City to the sword, following goals from Daniel Ayala and Brereton Díaz.
Following Rovers’ collapse against Luton Town on Saturday, which saw them throw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 in the 98th minute, Tony Mowbray made one change in personnel as Leighton Clarkson replaced Sam Gallagher, who withdrew from the squad due to a thigh strain. The teamsheet saw two players earn milestones as Lewis Travis racked up 100 league appearances for Rovers, whilst Thomas Kaminski notched 50 Rovers league games.
After both sides readied themselves for kick-off, it was Blackburn Rovers who got the game underway following referee, John Brooks’ whistle.
The first chance of the game fell Rovers’ way after just four minutes as Leighton Clarkson attempted a volley from range, but his effort fizzled harmlessly wide.
On the 8th minute, Tyrhys Dolan used his quick feet to get past his man down the left before cutting inside and releasing an effort that curled wide of the far-post.
Hull won a corner in the 22nd minute as Manchester City loanee Matthew Smith tried his luck from just outside the box, but his effort was deflected behind for a corner. The set-piece which was deep, proved troublesome for the Rovers defence, as Callum Elder nodded it back into the mixer, but a strong hand from Thomas Kaminski saw the Belgian punch the ball away to safety as Rovers soon cleared.
On minute 29, Keane Lewis-Potter won possession back off Tyrhys Dolan, but took an early snapshot out of excitement which cleared Kaminski’s crossbar.
Josh Magennis earnt the Tigers’ first shot at goal of the game in the 32nd minute as he did well to make space just outside the Rovers box, before turning and releasing am effort that went straight down Kaminski’s throat. The shot’s power, however, saw the Rovers ‘keeper fumble as Rovers cleared before the ball reached Mallik Wilks.
Rovers were a glove away from taking the lead in the 39th minute as Tyrhys Dolan once again showed his quality as he tried to replicate his earlier attempt off the left-hand side, but despite his second attempt looking as if it was destined for the top-right-hand corner, City ‘keeper Matt Ingram did brilliantly well to fly across goal and tip the effort behind for a corner which Hull soon cleared.
Mallik Wilks tried to replicate Dolan’s effort in the 43rd minute, as the former Barnsley man cut in from the right and tried his luck with his left, but the shot remained rooted to the floor as it trickled into the gloves of Kaminski.
As the 45th minute ticked onto the clock, referee John Brooks added on one extra minute onto the end of the first period.
After that extra minute was played with nothing coming from it, time was soon called on a very lacklustre first period which saw the best chance of the half, denied by Matt Ingram.
Tony Mowbray would have been annoyed with how slow his side had started with their lack of intensity on the ball showing in the stats. Despite their great start against Luton on Saturday, Rovers looked quite tired in the first-half against a Hull side who were happy to sit back and hit Rovers on the break. The home crowd would have been looking for some excitement from their players in the hope that they could help them drag a win over the line in the second-half, whilst Mowbray would have been hoping that his side could penetrate the sturdy Hull backline, rather than try shots from distance.
Grant McCann would have been pleased with how his side had restricted Rovers’ efforts, and also satisfied with the chances they had created at the other end. Although his team were in the midst of a five-game goal drought, the former Peterborough United midfielder would have been happy with how his side had taken the game to Rovers and played on any fragility that had carried over from the weekend. The Northern Irishman would have been wanting more of the same from his side in the second period.
With both managers’ team-talks complete, it was Hull City who got the second period underway as they looked to grab their first victory since the opening day of the campaign, which saw them run riot and beat Preston North End, 4-1 at Deepdale.
The first chance of the second period fell the way of the visitors as Keane Lewis-Potter cut in onto his right-foot and released an effort that Kaminski saved.
On the 48th minute, Ben Brereton Díaz rose highest in the box to reach Harry Pickering’s cross, but it dropped wide.
Hull thought they had gone ahead in the 52nd minute, but Josh Magennis’ effort was ruled out for offside.
Tony Mowbray had seen enough by the 54th minute as he withdrew John Buckley and Leighton Clarkson and replaced them with Danny Butterworth and Reda Khadra, the latter of whom was making his debut for Rovers.
The debuting Brighton winger showed his quality after 60 seconds as his quick feet saw him beat a few before forcing a save from Ingram down at his near-post.
Rothwell and Butterworth combined in the 57th minute as the substitute again tried his luck but saw his effort deflected behind for a corner.
The first booking of the evening appeared in the 59th minute as Callum Elder hauled down Brereton Díaz in a wide area. From the set-piece, Butterworth was able to test Ingram with a powerful effort which the ‘keeper spilled into the path of Dolan who failed to convert.
On the hour mark, Rovers’ pressure continued as they earnt a corner which saw the deadlock broken, courtesy of Daniel Ayala’s second in Rovers colours. Joe Rothwell stood over the corner as he delivered in a fine cross which Ayala latched onto as he overcrowded his marker and nodded the ball into the top left-hand corner of the net to put Rovers 1-0 ahead.
Three minute later, Rovers nearly had a second as Butterworth and Brereton Díaz combined, but the Chilean’s effort was saved by the visiting goalkeeper.
Lewis Travis looked to mark his 100th league appearance for Rovers with a fantastic volley from range, but it lacked the necessary curl to double Rovers’ lead.
The miss wasn’t dwelled upon by the midfielder as he played a crucial role in Rovers’ second which came in the 65th minute. Travis’ pressure saw him win the ball back and feed Brereton Díaz, who was lurking in the left-hand channel. The Chilean picked the ball up and composed himself before sweeping the ball past Ingram for his fourth of the campaign, as Rovers’ lead was doubled to 2-0.
The 69th minute saw Hull make two changes as George Moncur and Ryan Longman came on to replace, Matthew Smith and Josh Magennis.
Harry Pickering was shown a yellow card in the 74th minute as he became the first Rover to have his name taken in this tie.
Danny Butterworth did well in the 76th minute to try and treble Rovers’ lead, but his effort nestled harmlessly into the side-netting.
In the 78th minute, George Moncur tried to get his side back into the game, but his first effort was saved by Kaminski before the second was ballooned over the bar.
Moments later, Rovers were up the other end with a free-kick from the edge of the box, which was awarded after Di’Shon Bernard was booked following a foul on Butterworth. Although it was in a brilliant position, Joe Rothwell’s attempt narrowly zoomed over the crossbar as the midfielder was left with his head in his hands.
George Moncur’s effort in the 83rd minute nearly brought life back into Hull’s comeback, but his attempt from the edge of the area curled wide of the mark.
Rovers’ final change of the game saw Jacob Davenport replace Tyrhys Dolan in the 88th minute.
Moncur proved to be quite a spark for Hull, but he was unfortunate that his effort couldn’t be rewarded as his 90th minute effort cleared the crossbar.
After Moncur’s effort, referee John Brooks added on four extra minutes onto the end of the tie.
As neither side was able to create a noteworthy chance in added time, John Brooks soon brought the encounter to an end, as Rovers were left delighted with their efforts following the disappointment of the weekend, whilst Hull were left to scratch their heads, as their goalless run extended to near 9 hours of football.
Although the first-half was incredibly lacklustre and lacked any pace whatsoever, the second period, particularly after the two substitutes were introduced in the 54th minute, showed the quality that was in Rovers’ squad. Although Khadra showed glimpses of quality and Butterworth did well to test Hull’s keeper on a few occasions, the ramping up of the crowd was a key factor in helping the players over the line. Rovers’ first clean sheet in 16 games is also incredibly important, as it helps instil the confidence throughout the side. This victory against Hull City was Tony Mowbray’s tenth career win against the Tigers, his most against any one team.
After that fine win, Rovers have now moved up to 7th place, with 12 points and a positive goal-difference of +3, in the league table.
Next up for the Blues is an away trip to Oakwell to face Barnsley on Saturday 18th September at 3pm. After that affair, Mowbray’s men return to Ewood Park to host Mick McCarthy’s Cardiff City on Saturday 25th September at 3pm. Next Tuesday, Rovers face their third Yorkshire opposition of the week as they travel to the John Smith’s Stadium to face Huddersfield Town on 28th September at 7:45pm.
