Blackburn Rovers came from behind to stun Middlesbrough on Tony Mowbray's return to the Ewood Park dugout. Jeremy Sarmiento netted the opener but Andri Gudjohnsen and Todd Cantwell both struck in a ruthless five-minute spell in the second half. Rovers dug deep to see out five minutes of stoppage time, securing all three points and a winning start on home turf.
What happened?
It was a big game for the head coach, who took up his position in the Ewood dugout for the first time since April 2022. Mowbray was full of praise for the fans after the final whistle and insisted shooting towards the Blackburn End was a big help for his players. Since his return, the 62-year-old has spoken about wanting to build a team on the pitch that the fanbase can connect and identify with.
Why it matters for Blackburn Rovers
The win is a big boost for Mowbray and his players, especially after a tough start to the season. The team's home form was a problem last season, and the away record ultimately kept the squad in the division. Getting an early win on the board on home turf, against a side of Middlesbrough's quality, will be a big confidence booster for the team.
What comes next?
Rovers have scored six goals in their opening three games of the campaign, and the league table will be looking prettier if they can maintain that output in the final third. The team will look to build on this win and continue their impressive start to the season.
