Blackburn Rovers 1-3 Sheffield Wednesday: Aynsley Pears errors hand Owls lifeline

Two weird goalkeeping errors by Blackburn’s Aynsley Pears helped Sheffield Wednesday to a win which strikes them out of the Championship backside three for the primary time for the reason that opening day of the season.

The win, solely Wednesday’s second of their final eight video games, got here in entrance of greater than 7,000 travelling followers at Ewood Park and edges them a degree above the drop zone.

Defeat means Blackburn nonetheless want 4 factors from their final two video games to make certain of security, although Szmodics’ purpose made him joint-top scorer – with Erling Haaland – within the high 4 divisions this season, with 31 in all competitions.

Wednesday knew they wanted a win to retain any real looking hopes of staying up after a run of only one win from their earlier seven video games, regardless of supervisor Danny Rohl reviving the workforce since he took over in October.

They bought off to an ideal begin courtesy of some slack defending from Blackburn, and principally Pears, with six minutes on the clock.

The keeper raced off his line to go clear however unwisely nodded it to defender Dominic Hyam. His bid to clear was charged down by Anthony Musaba and Windass pounced to brilliantly lob the ball into the empty web from 40 yards out.

The lead solely lasted three minutes as Szmodics continued his outstanding season with one other scientific end, racing clear on to Callum Brittain’s glorious first-time volleyed go to clip a shot previous Wednesday keeper James Beadle.

Windass and Liam Palmer each missed probabilities to revive the lead however Wednesday seemed to be up in opposition to it as they misplaced defender Michael Ihiekwe and his substitute Bambo Diaby to harm.

The Owls scored twice inside six second-half minutes to grab the initiative as Blackburn seemed sleepy within the Lancashire sunshine.

Two fierce tackles on midway from Will Vaulks sparked a fast break and, when Musaba’s low cross reached the far publish, Johnson swept his shot again throughout Pears to revive the lead.

This time there was no Rovers response, and Pears’ terrible error made the factors secure.

There appeared little risk as Hyam performed the ball again to his keeper, however Pears’ almighty swipe noticed him slice the ball, which looped into the air, bounced and spun again into his purpose as he desperately tried to race again and maintain it out.

Szmodics hurried an excellent likelihood to tug one again, his shot flying over the bar, however Wednesday might have made the win much more emphatic as Musaba and Vaulks have been each denied by Pears.

Blackburn supervisor John Eustace instructed BBC Radio Lancashire:

“In the primary half we have been effectively within the sport and bounced again from an early purpose and confirmed nice character.

“In the second half the way of the targets was disappointing. We misplaced the ball within the midfield and have been unfastened, did not chase again fast sufficient and so they punished us.

“The third purpose, we won’t do a lot about that. It’s a mistake, and a troublesome one to take, however we now have an impressive likelihood subsequent week and all the pieces continues to be in our fingers. It’s vital we bounce again.

“Aynsley’s made a mistake nevertheless it’s vital he focuses on what we have accomplished as a workforce. We’re a close-knit group and everybody is aware of that when somebody makes a mistake it is all a part of the sport.”

Sheffield Wednesday supervisor Danny Rohl instructed BBC Radio Sheffield:

[On being out of the bottom three]: “I believe it is the primary time this season. We wanted 44 match days to do that. It was an excellent step, however not the ultimate step, and it is vital that we all know this and maintain going with this spirit.

“It’s not about defending our place, it is about attacking the subsequent place.

“Today we had that braveness. We performed the way in which we wish to play. As a supervisor you may at all times have a plan however the gamers must drive on the pitch and they’re doing effectively.

“We related our efficiency with an excellent end result. In the previous few weeks we have had some good performances however perhaps not the outcomes we wished.

“The previous few weeks, and perhaps the entire season, I felt we did not have a lot luck, nevertheless it resulted from our efficiency. The first purpose we pressed them right into a mistake and it was implausible from Josh [Windass].”