Rovers clinched a third straight victory and a second successive away win for the first-time since October 2022, as they came from behind to hold their nerve, to win a fifth successive game in London, in all competitions.
With Rovers on a high after securing back-to-back clean-sheet victories either side of the international break, with Cardiff City being their latest victim, with the Welsh side losing 1-0 at Ewood Park, Jon Dahl Tomasson named an unchanged side for this midweek clash. Whilst the players remained the same on the pitch, there was a shuffle on the bench as skipper, Lewis Travis, dropped out with Andy Moran coming in, whilst Scott Wharton returned to the sidelines as Patrick Gamble spent the day playing for the Under-21s.
Just before kick-off, there was a minute’s silence to commemorate the wonderful life of 1966 World Cup winner, Sir Bobby Charlton, who sadly passed away over the weekend.
After the referee’s concluding whistle, it was Rovers who kicked off the evening as they were looking to try and grab a third successive victory, for the first time this campaign.
Millwall won a free-kick just inside their half, which saw Rovers have their back to the walls already after just three minutes. The set-piece was delivered as Wes Harding rose highest to meet the ball which Leopold Wahlstedt looked like he had covered, however somehow, the Swede fumbled the effort and amidst pressure from the follow-up, saw the ball trickle over the line, as the hosts took a very early 1-0 lead.
With Rovers going behind early, their impetus to try and get back into the game grew as they were being stifled by Millwall. James Hill and Callum Brittain worked the ball well down the right, before Brittain and Joe Rankin-Costello played a one-two as the #11 burst into the box, before having the composure and skill to pass the ball under Bartosz Białkowski, who arguably should have kept the ball out. That didn’t matter for Rovers, though, as they levelled proceedings at 1-1, with Rankin-Costello grabbing two in two!
A long-throw by James Hill after half an hour saw Rovers scramble inside the Millwall penalty area as they kept the ball alive, before a cheeky backheel by Harry Pickering forced Białkowski into a save down to his left.
Just before one minute of time was added onto the end of the first period, Joe Rankin-Costello was fed down the left-hand channel by Arnór Sigurðsson before the goalscorer’s cross was deflected into the path of Sammie Szmodics who couldn’t quite bring the ball under his spell, before slicing his snapshot over the bar, for the half’s final act.
With the players heading into their respective changing rooms, interim boss, Adam Barrett would have been satisfied with his side’s first-half display given their lack of ball possession, but would have naturally been disappointed that they had conceded and not created much after taking the lead.
In the changing room opposite, Jon Dahl Tomasson would have been praising his team for their reaction and encouraged them to continue in the same vein they had been in since drawing level. The boss would have also been wanting more penetration from his side in the final third, hoping that the away fans they will be shooting towards can help his side ‘suck the ball’ into the net, in a repeat of last season’s final day.
After both teams remerged from the tunnel, Rovers made two changes before the hosts who got the game back underway, as Scott Wharton and Andy Moran replaced Dom Hyam and Arnór Sigurðsson. Millwall, meanwhile, were moving into the second period aiming for their first victory since the departure of Gary Rowett, just under a week ago.
The first chance of the second period came when Millwall’s free-kick flew over everyone in the area as James Hill pounced on the loose ball. The on-loan Bournemouth defender managed to show his quality in vision and technique as he played a long-raking switch across the entire field to Callum Brittain, who took advantage of the fact Joe Bryan was down injured with the left-hand side vacated. The right-back-turned-right-winger also showed why he was playing in a more advanced position as he twisted and turned the Lions defence in the area, before curling a left-footed shot into the top left-hand corner to give Rovers the lead for the first time in the game at 2-1 in the 51st minute.
In reaction to going behind, Millwall made a double change. The first saw the injured Joe Bryan depart as Murray Wallace replaced him, before Romain Esse took the place of Ryan Longman.
In the 54th minute, Tom Bradshaw nearly pulled the Lions level again, as his near-post header was well saved by Wahlstedt, as Rovers dealt with the incoming set-piece.
Moments later, as Millwall recycled possession, Brooke Norton-Cuffy tried his luck from range, but Wahlstedt proved equal to the effort to take the pressure off his defenders.
On the hour mark, Rovers nearly earnt a two-goal cushion as Rankin-Costello found Andy Moran, who saw his effort saved by the legs of Białkowski, before Szmodics had two bites of the cherry, both of which were blocked and saved by the Lions rearguard.
In the 66th minute, Millwall made more changes as Aidomo Emankhu and Billy Mitchell made way for a couple of Georges; in Honeyman and Saville.
In the 72nd minute, Wes Harding nearly thought he grabbed a brace as he latched onto Tom Bradshaw’s flick-on, but he couldn’t divert the ball home at the far-post.
Minute 77 saw a third Rovers change in the offing, as goalscorer, Joe Rankin-Costello was replaced by Adam Wharton, as both brothers made it onto the field for the first-time since the defeat at Plymouth Argyle.
A Rovers counter saw Tyrhys Dolan drive forwards and find Szmodics whose effort was tipped onto the crossbar by the Pole in goal, before Rovers were given a corner due to the host’s panic at the back.
In the 88th minute, Rovers were forced into a fourth change as Andy Moran only lasted 43 minutes before limping off to be replaced by Niall Ennis.
As the time ticked over into the 90th minute, as five minutes went up on the fourth official’s board, a weak shot by Romain Esse was well gathered by Wahlstedt.
In the 93rd minute, Tyrhys Dolan was booked for a cynical challenge on halfway, as Millwall looked to try and break forwards in the late stages.
With Millwall huffing and puffing, they did eventually run out of time as Andy Davies soon blew the final whistle which saw a few yellow shirts collapse to the ground in relief, knowing that the three points were secure.
What an outstanding way to earn a hattrick of victories! A comeback win is always appreciated, but to have the nerve, the calmness and the composure to rally after such an early setback shows that this team really are playing with maturity above their average age. Every player in a yellow shirt was outstanding, with special mention to Leo – who was in red! – who pulled off some fine saves and showed his quality with his feet despite the very early error that could have derailed a weaker-minded goalkeeper. With the ‘good feel factor’ back at Ewood Park after four defeats on the trot, Rovers and Jon Dahl Tomasson will be hoping that potential injuries to Dominic Hyam and Andy Moran – who himself only just returned from an injury – won’t stifle what has been a good run of form for the Blues.
The league table is looking much healthier from a Rovers perspective, as they now sit in 10th with 19 points from 13 games, despite a negative -2 goal-difference after 13 games.
Next up, Rovers are back at Ewood Park on Saturday as they host Swansea City on 28th October at 3pm. Following that home clash, Jon Dahl Tomasson and his team remain on the road as they turn their attentions to the Carabao Cup Fourth Round in which they will face Premier League side, Chelsea on Wednesday 1st November at 7:45pm at Stamford Bridge. Once that tie is complete, Rovers have an extra day of rest as the fans face an early wake up call, with the Blues set to face Norwich City at Carrow Road at midday on Sunday 5th November.
