Blackburn Rovers Vs Bristol City: blackburn rovers vs bristol city — Robins end Rovers' mini-revival

In a 2-1 result at Ewood Park, Bristol City came from behind to beat Blackburn Rovers, a win that halted the hosts' mini-revival and leaves Michael O'Neill's side facing their first defeat under him. The match, framed by Emil Riis and Scott Twine goals and several crucial saves from Radek Vítek, mattered for both teams' momentum as the season progresses.

Blackburn Rovers Vs Bristol City — late saves and stoppage-time tension

The game finished 2-1 after a frenetic closing period in which Vítek produced multiple decisive interventions, including a denial of Moussa Baradji from close range at the death and a point-blank stop to keep out Dion De Neve earlier. A last-minute free-kick for City raised the tension as five minutes of added time were signalled, while Blackburn pushed relentlessly for an equaliser.

Blackburn had 16 attempts, six on target, and peppered the Robins' goal in the second half but could not find the clinical finish. Morishita's hopeful delivery and Yuki Ohashi's later miss — when he smashed a shot into the ground and wide from the centre of the box — illustrated Rovers' issues in the final third despite sustained pressure.

Riis and Twine turned the game at Ewood Park before half-time

Blackburn opened the scoring after six minutes when Ryoya Morishita surged past Rob Atkinson and found Yuki Ohashi, who rifled the ball into the net. That advantage lasted only until the 17th minute, when Cam Pring's cross deflected kindly for Emil Riis; Riis controlled on his thigh and volleyed into the far corner to level.

Just after the half-hour mark Scott Twine put City in front with a sublime volley meeting Riis's cutback. The Twine goal was his ninth of the season. Tomi Horvat had earlier struck the post and Jason Knight forced a brilliant one-on-one stop after a sliding pass from Horvat, while Riis tested Baláz Tóth with efforts that prompted top saves.

Gerhard Struber upbeat after come-from-behind win; Rob Dickie injury confirmed

Bristol City head coach Gerhard Struber described himself as "very happy" and upbeat after the comeback, praising his players' reaction and first-half football while acknowledging the second half became a defensive task. He said the reaction was great after Blackburn took the lead within the opening minutes and suggested the result "could be a tipping point" for his side. City picked up only their third victory from nine Championship games with the 2-1 win.

Prior to kick-off at Ewood Park, City confirmed that defender Rob Dickie will be out for eight to 10 weeks with a hamstring injury, effectively ruling him out for the rest of the regular league campaign.

Blackburn pressure after the break and key moments denied

The second half saw Blackburn create several clear chances. Mathias Jørgensen met Ryan Alebiosu's cross but headed wide, and Morishita tried from distance but could not beat Vítek. George Tanner made a firm tackle to deny Andri Gudjohnsen at close range, while Baláz Tóth made another top save in the 75th minute to keep out Horvat's free-kick that looked destined for the top corner.

City's defence also produced crucial actions: Vítek denied De Neve from point-blank range and Mark Sykes threw himself to block Kristi Montgomery's effort, preserving the narrow lead as Blackburn continued to press.

Team changes, substitutions and starting lineup

Gerhard Struber made five changes to the side that lost narrowly to Swansea, bringing in Emil Riis, Scott Twine, Cam Pring, Mark Sykes and Sam Morsy for the start. The Robins were without a win in two games prior to this result and now quickly turn their attention to Watford at home on Friday, February 27th, at 8pm ET.

• Starting XI: Vítek; Atkinson (Borges 45'), Eile, Tanner, Pring, Sykes; Morsy (Randell 58'), Knight (C), Horvat (Bird 90+2'), Twine (Burgzorg 58'); Riis (Armstrong 58')

During the match, Max Bird came on for Bristol City, replacing Tomi Horvat, and Oladapo Afolayan replaced Kristi Montgomery for Blackburn. Other substitutions included the 45th-minute introduction of Borges for Atkinson and multiple changes around the 58th minute that reshaped both benches.

Radio reaction and pundit commentary

Former Sunderland and Bristol City midfielder Gary Owers, speaking for a radio broadcast, noted City showed quality in the first half but a much different story followed after the interval when Blackburn improved and forced City to battle for the three points. He praised a near-goal by Tommy Horvath — saying it looked destined for the top corner before the keeper produced a good diving save — and stressed that at this stage of the season result can matter more than performance.

The match concluded as a hard-fought victory for Bristol City over Blackburn Rovers, sealed by timely goals from Riis and Twine and a sequence of saves and defensive actions that withstood Blackburn's late onslaught.