--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-05-06T15:27:16.315Z last_updated: 2026-05-06T14:00:00+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/blackburn-rovers/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGFuY2FzaGlyZXRlbGVncmFwaC5jby51ay9zcG9ydC8yNjA4MjYxNS5maXZlLWdhbWVzLWRlZmluZWQtYmxhY2tidXJuLXJvdmVycy0yMDI1LTI2LXNlYXNvbi8_cmVmPXJzcw --- # London trips and late drama: Five games that defined Blackburn Rovers - **Source:** - **Published:** 6 May - **Club:** Blackburn Rovers - **Original URL:** https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/26082615.five-games-defined-blackburn-rovers-2025-26-season/?ref=rss After another eventful campaign at Ewood Park, The Lancashire Telegraph takes a closer look at five games that defined Blackburn Rovers’ season. Preston North End 1-2 Rovers, November 21 Andri Gudjohnsen celebrates his winner at Deepdale (Image: CameraSport) Rovers’ away form ultimately kept them up this season and one of the standout results came up the road at Deepdale. North End had started the season strongly and could have gone second with a win, but those plans were spoiled after a feisty Lancashire derby. Lewis Miller headed Rovers in front but PNE hit back immediately through Alfie Devine on the stroke of half time. Andri Gudjohnsen nodded home the winner after the break to send the travelling supporters into hysterics. George Pratt was thrown in at the deep end after being recalled from his loan at Chorley due to injuries in the squad, but the young defender made a crucial block as Rovers dug deep. Rovers 0-1 Hull City, January 31 The Hull defeat was Ismael's last in charge (Image: CameraSport) Valerien Ismael’s time in charge came to an end following a frustrating late defeat against Hull at Ewood Park. Liverpool loanee Lewis Koumas struck the winner nine minutes from time, leaving Rovers in the bottom three. Ismael’s side arguably deserved something from the game but were left ruing missed chances, which became a common theme throughout the campaign. Rovers announced they had parted company with the head coach several days later and Damien Johnson was placed in temporary charge, overseeing a crucial win against Sheffield Wednesday. QPR 1-3 Rovers, February 14 Ryoya Morishita nods home at QPR (Image: CameraSport) Michael O’Neill became the new man in the dugout and immediately faced a trip to the capital to take on Queens Park Rangers. Mathias Jorgensen opened the scoring after a delightful pass from Ryoya Morishita, but the hosts hit back through Koki Saito. Jorgensen got Rovers back in front with another cool finish and Morishita sealed the result with a clinical header after the break. That result was backed up by another big win against Preston North End in O’Neill’s first home game as Rovers started to build momentum. Millwall 1-2 Rovers, March 14 Mathias Jorgensen slots home at Millwall (Image: CameraSport) Perhaps the biggest week of Rovers’ season kicked off in the worst possible fashion with a 1-0 defeat at relegation rivals Oxford United. The squad stayed down South for their trip to Millwall several days later and some honest conversations took place between the players. Whatever was said clearly worked as Rovers produced a stunning late comeback to dent the Lions’ promotion push. Millwall led through Luke Cundle but went down to 10 men after Zak Sturge brought down Yuki Ohashi as the forward raced towards goal. Jorgensen was the hero again in the capital, firing home twice in five minutes to secure a massive result on the road. Sheffield United 1-3 Rovers, April 22 Yuki Ohashi slots home at Bramall Lane (Image: CameraSport) The pressure was on as O’Neill’s side headed over the Pennines to face the Blades. A win would be enough to secure safety, but defeat would mean a nervous wait to face Leicester City on the final day. Rovers got off to a dream start when Ohashi got in behind the backline and slotted a cool finish past Adam Davies. READ MORE: Eiran Cashin set Ireland challenge after impressive Blackburn Rovers spell Morishita doubled the lead from close range before Ohashi struck again to cap off an emphatic opening 45 minutes. The hosts pulled one back through Harrison Burrows after the break, but Rovers held on to book their spot in the Championship next season.