Blackburn Rovers Vs Preston — Ohashi's 95th-minute header wins derby
blackburn rovers vs preston ended in dramatic fashion when Yuki Ohashi nodded home a 95th-minute winner to give Blackburn a 1-0 victory at Ewood Park, a result that continued Michael O'Neill's winning start and left significant implications for both clubs going into the weekend.
Blackburn Rovers Vs Preston
Yuki Ohashi's stoppage-time header was the decisive moment in the Lancashire derby, securing a 1-0 triumph for Blackburn at home. The win moves Blackburn six points clear of the relegation zone, strengthening their buffer as the run-in continues. For Preston, the defeat represented a missed chance to climb back into the play-off places ahead of Saturday's fixtures.
The sides had last met earlier in the season, when Blackburn won 2-1 at Deepdale in November, and this result repeated the narrow-margin outcome in another tightly contested encounter.
Hecky gives Rovers reaction
Hecky provided a reaction to the match in the immediate aftermath, though detailed remarks are not included in the match summary. The postgame response from the camp emphasized the late winner and its importance in the context of Blackburn's league position.
Michael excited for his first Ewood encounter
Michael O'Neill has now recorded two wins in his first two matches in charge, and the result at Ewood Park extended that positive start. The victory represents a strong early return under his stewardship and marked his first match at Ewood as manager. The manager's early run has immediate consequences: Blackburn's safety margin has improved, while Preston lose ground in their push for a top-six spot.
Looking ahead, the Championship schedule offers a quick series of tests for both clubs. Ten Championship fixtures are due tomorrow, and the weekend includes the Steel City derby between Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday. Key questions remain unanswered: will Preston's rivals for a play-off place take advantage of this defeat; will Blackburn's buffer be reduced by forthcoming results; and will the campaign produce its first confirmed relegation soon?
The match itself and the narrow margin underline how fine the margins remain for teams fighting at both ends of the table. With several rounds still to play, the immediate indicators are clear: Blackburn have gained breathing room, Preston have dropped ground, and the coming fixtures will determine whether those shifts persist.
