Blackburn Rovers vs Oxford United: Championship – BBC Sport

Blackburn continued their strong start to the season with a narrow 2-1 win over Championship new boys Oxford United at Ewood Park.

An entertaining first half was lit up by Mark Harris’ stunning 35-yard dipping volley over Rovers goalkeeper Aynsley Pears in the 44th minute for his third goal in as many league games.

In a manic few minutes, Blackburn winger Joe Rankin-Costello cancelled out Harris’ screamer in additional time at the end of the first half after Oxford failed to clear their lines.

Substitute Arnor Sigurdsson won it late for Rovers with a guided finish in off the post with eight minutes left with his first goal since New Year’s Day.

The result maintains Blackburn’s unbeaten start to the campaign, while the U’s suffer a second straight defeat.

United started the stronger side and could have been ahead after just seven minutes but Matt Phillips’ left-foot shot was denied by the boot of Rovers ‘keeper Pears.

Rovers initially lacked the rhythm that had seen them score 12 goals in their opening three matches this season and U’s centre back Idris El Mizouni should have opened the scoring for the visitors after a pinpoint Phillips cross but mistimed his header with the goal at his mercy.

Soon after, the highlight of the match came from Harris’ magnificent long-range strike following a long ball from U’s goalkeeper Jamie Cumming and a flick-on from Phillips.

United’s lead only lasted three minutes, however, and Rankin-Costello’s accurate turn and strike past Cumming was not in keeping for a player who had failed to score in his last 17 appearances for Rovers.

The hosts turned the screw in the second half and Japanese forward Yuki Ohashi was inches away from putting Blackburn in front but failed to make contact to an inviting cross into the box.

It was the tale of the substitutes in the end for John Eustace’s side as Icelandic winger Sigurdsson combined with fellow sub Makhtar Gueye to find the bottom corner in the final stages to secure a hard-fought three points for Rovers.

Blackburn’s first back-to-back home wins since March 2023 means they remain third in the Championship table whilst Oxford drop to 12th.