Blackburn Rovers don collect three big-big points for dia fight to remain for Championship after dem beat Birmingham City 1-0 for St Andrew's on Good Friday. Todd Cantwell na di man wey score di only goal for di match, and dat one don push Rovers six points clear from relegation zone.
Di match start with Birmingham wey dey show small pepper for early minutes. Jay Stansfield and Marvin Ducksch almost link up well, but Ducksch header no strong pass Balazs Toth for Rovers goal. Blackburn wey dey need points to survive for Championship, dem begin wake up small-small after dat.
Paik Seung-ho lose ball for im own half, Cantwell nearly score with low drive. Minutes later, Tom Atcheson meet Cantwell corner but im header go wide with Birmingham goalkeeper James Beadle dey stretch well-well. First half no get goal but plenty chance dey both sides.
Ducksch free-kick from 25 yards skim di net, but Birmingham thank dia keeper for di other side when Beadle make crucial double save. E first parry Cantwell strike, den react quick-quick to block Harry Pickering follow-up attempt.
Birmingham nearly end first period ahead. Patrick Roberts skillfully evade Sean McLoughlin and pull ball back for Ibrahim Osman, but im no fit score as e only find foot of post. Paik, minutes later, fire shot wey Toth push over bar.
After restart, Birmingham go close again. Tomoki Iwata sell dummy to Cantwell but curl im effort wide of far post. Di hosts nearly play demself into trouble when Blackburn high press nearly pay. Adam Forshaw pickpocket Paik deep inside im own half, but di South Korean redeem imself when e throw body in front of strike as Ohashi dey run toward goal.
Japanese forward Ohashi go close again on di hour mark when e aim snap-shot toward goal after Cantwell initial effort block, but Beadle again come to im side aid and produce firm hand down to im right to keep Rovers at bay.
But im no fit keep Cantwell out with 20 minutes remain. Morishita collect ball from Ryan Alebiosu after Birmingham concede possession for midfield and e play in Cantwell, wey under pressure from Christoph Klarer fire first-time strike across Beadle to give visitors precious lead.
Birmingham no fit forge reply. Tommy Doyle might produce better finish when August Priske play am in, but Rovers goalkeeper Toth quick off im line to keep im team lead intact and help seal three vital points for battle against drop.
Blackburn manager Michael O'Neill talk say e dey exhausted small from di game. “We put everything into di game,” e yarn. “We had to show say we want am more than opposition, given league position of di two teams. We had to frustrate dem at times, which we do well. We also had to carry threat as well, and we do dat well.”
E add say: “I think we get better chances for di game, our goalkeeper make couple big saves when we need am to, as dem own do. But obviously na real moment of quality from Todd to win di game, and na massive three points for us.”
Birmingham manager Chris Davies talk say result dey very disappointing. “We no fit say we do enough to win am,” e talk. “You fit see confidence no dey there. Everything wey I want from our play – di intensity, di tempo – we no get enough of dat attacking players really firing right now, where dem bin dey earlier for season.”
E continue: “After being for such good form after Christmas, we really hit period where we dey suffer right now, and na up to me to find answers for am.”
Blackburn now face huge home clash with relegation rivals West Brom on Easter Monday while Birmingham travel to fourth-placed Ipswich Town.
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