Rovers Revive Playoff Hopes

A Jordan Rhodes inspired Blackburn Rovers took maximum points at Ewood Park, a goal either side of the break ensuring Blackburn stayed alive in the race for a play-off spot.

Michael Appleton welcomed back Bradley Orr after his loan spell at Ipswich, walking back into the starting line up at Right Back

Kean
Orr, Hanley, Dann, Olsson
Gamst, Murphy, Lowe, Olsson
CKR
Rhodes

In one of the more 'direct' games of football, Rovers faced Bristol City who were buoyed by a midweek victory against high flying Watford. The Visitors went on the attack from the outset, hoping to build momentum as they battled to emerge out of the relegation scrap heap. Dominating the early proceedings, Bristol came close twice, a Davies free kick skimming the top of the net, whilst he followed it up a header directed straight at Jake Kean.

Blackburn weren't without their opportunities, Colin Kazim Richards working hard to earn a free kick, Gamst curling it into the cross bar. However the best chance of the opening third fell to Bristol, with winger Paul Anderson sending a one on one strike over the cross bar.

Jordan Rhodes showed everyone on the pitch how it is done, netting his 17th of the campaign. A Gamst cross fell to Rhodes, taking a touch before blasting it into the net with his weaker left foot. 1-0 Blackburn

The second half started similar to the first, Bristol creating the early chances. Marvin Elliott found some space in the box, however his header fortunately floated into the arms of Jake Kean. Only a minute later, Elliot tried from distance, this time flying into the grandstand.

Bristol City where made to rue their missed chances as the ever so clinical Jordan Rhodes sealed the game, latching onto a Danny Murphy long ball, holding off his marker and striking calmly past Heaton. 2-0 Blackburn

From here on it was all Rovers who pushed on trying to find a third. Dann and CKR both had chances, but neither could convert. 2-0 it ended, Rovers staying alive and giving Michael Appleton his first league win.

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