Blackburn Rovers boss John Eustace stated he needs “to herald three or 4 gamers” after his facet edged Lancashire rivals Preston North Finish 2-1 in a heated contest to return to the Championship prime six.
Makhtar Gueye and Todd Cantwell had been on the scoresheet as Eustace’s facet ended a run of three straight defeats and climbed to fifth with 45 factors from 30 video games – one level forward of West Brom and Middlesbrough.
It was their first win in opposition to Preston within the Championship since April 2022, ending a run of 5 video games and not using a victory.
“We’re in place. If we will usher in three or 4 gamers to assist this group who’ve been magnificent all season that will be good,” the Blackburn boss instructed Sky Sports activities after the sport.
“You’ve obtained to recollect we had been relegation favourites at the beginning of the season, and we misplaced 35 objectives with Sammie Szmodics leaving and the best way the boys stepped up, I believe they’ve been magnificent so if we will get some assist for them that will be nice.”
Rovers signed Sierra Leone ahead Augustus Kargbo from Italian second division facet Cesena on Friday.
Full-time: #Rovers 2-1 #pnefc
Friday night time delight!!! #ROVvPNE pic.twitter.com/F4S0nokCPF
— Blackburn Rovers (@Rovers) January 31, 2025
Gueye headed a Tyrhys Dolan cross previous Freddie Woodman after battling with Preston’s substitute defender Jack Whatmough within the thirty ninth minute.
Blackburn had been then awarded a contentious penalty when Whatmough challenged Dominic Hyam whereas defending a nook and Cantwell made no mistake from the spot to double the house facet’s benefit.
“I believe it was a blatant penalty. I’ve watched it again and the boy has headed him underneath the neck and almost knocked him out. I assumed it was a penalty for certain,” Eustace stated of the incident.
It was a nervy end to the sport as Brad Potts decreased the deficit for the guests within the third minute of the second-half stoppage time earlier than Preston’s shouts for a penalty had been waved away after an incident between Gueye and Potts.
“Everybody’s seen it, not simply me. It’s horrible when issues like that resolve the sport. [Referee] Josh Smith and [fourth official] Jeremy Simpson know that and that’s why they couldn’t wait to get off the pitch,” Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom stated of the disallowed penalty.
“It’s a type of moments the place they’ve obtained it mistaken and realised. However there’s nothing I can do in regards to the referees.”
Blackburn, who posted their second win in 10 matches, will subsequent face QPR on Tuesday, whereas Preston will welcome Wycombe within the FA Cup fourth spherical on 8 February.