Andi Weimann and Yuki Ohashi both notched debut goals as Blackburn opened their Sky Bet Championship campaign with a 4-2 win over promoted Derby.
John Eustace’s men were rewarded for their fast start as they took a 19th-minute lead through Tyrhys Dolan’s close-range finish after a well-worked move.
Rovers were in control for the first half but Derby battled back after the break and Curtis Nelson’s powerful header in the 67th minute levelled matters.
But the task facing the promoted Rams was laid bare by a triple Blackburn substitution just prior to the equaliser that saw Rovers introduce Weimann, Ohashi and Sammie Szmodics and that trio blew the visitors away with three goals in the space of 12 minutes.
First, Weimann headed home in the 72nd minute from close range against his former club after superb work from Hayden Carter.
Szmodics, who is being linked with a move to the Premier League, then confidently swept home four minutes later to make it 3-1 before turning provider for Ohashi to add a fourth with six minutes to go.
Kane Wilson headed a late consolation for Derby but this was a sobering reintroduction to the Championship after a two-year absence.
New Blackburn signing Makhtar Gueye fired across the face of goal early on but Rovers were in front following a flowing move that saw the Senegalese striker’s low cross find Dolan six yards out and he rifled a first-time shot into the top corner.
After a disappointing first half, Derby came close to an equaliser early in the second when Nathaniel Mendez-Laing’s corner almost crept in but Aynsley Pears saved brilliantly.
Gueye missed another gilt-edged chance when he slotted the ball straight at Derby goalkeeper Josh Vickers in the 52nd minute and County took advantage when Mendez-Laing’s centre was met by a thumping Nelson header that crashed into the roof of the net.
Parity lasted barely five minutes, though, as Weimann marked his debut with a goal that owed much to the calmness of Carter who, in an attacking position on the right, feigned to cross and sat two Derby players down before lifting the ball onto the head of the Austrian who nodded home unmarked from close range.
Blackburn made the game safe in the 76th minute after more good work down the right-hand side saw Callum Brittain’s low cutback find Szmodics 12 yards out and the sought-after forward made no mistake, sweeping the ball home with consummate ease.
The hosts were rampant at this point and broke away to score a fourth as Szmodics sent Ohashi clear and he sumptuously dinked the ball over Vickers.
A set-piece gave Derby a second goal in the 88th minute as Mendez-Laing’s corner was headed in at the near post by the lively Wilson, but it did little to dampen the mood of the Blackburn faithful.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Liverpool & Wirtz now Ange Postecoglou to be sacked by Tottenham Hotspur Feeling old Premier League big team transfer Antony? THIS IS MENTAL The Manchester United pull…Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss, originaltrollfootball)...
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup debuts in the United States with a fresh format, gathering 32 elite clubs for the pinnacle of inter-club competition. This edition spotlights Group C, which brings together Bundesliga leaders FC Bayern Munich, South American powerhouses Boca Juniors, Primeira Liga giants SL Benfica, and Oceanian dark horses Auckland City FC. These teams, with their diverse and unique s...
According to reports, new Bayer Leverkusen boss Erik ten Hag is considering signing the Brazilian for Leverkusen this summer.Erik ten Hag is reportedly keen to sign Antony for Bayer LeverkusenTen Hag was in charge at United when Antony arrived for £86m in 2022.But the tricky winger's time in Manchester has been nothing short of a disaster, with Antony even admitting he went days without eatin...
Premier League runners-up Arsenal are now 'advancing' in their attempts to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig, according to widespread reports.The Gunners are finally going to sign a new centre-forward this summer with widespread reports claiming that Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta have a couple of targets in mind.Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko have...
Arsenal have received a huge boost in their quest to sign 'their main target' in the summer transfer window, with a report revealing that a two-time Champions League winner is 'willing' to move to the Gunners.What promised to be a successful season for Arsenal turned out to be trophyless yet again. Mikel Arteta's side could not last the distance in the race for the Premier League title, and the eu...
Liverpool struggling to agree Kerkez fee with BournemouthLiverpool are struggling to agree a fee with Bournemouth for the signing of full-back Milos Kerkez, per a new report.Per i News, Liverpool have been locked in talks with the Cherries over a deal to sign Kerkez but have yet to agree a fee for the left-back. The 21-year-old is valued at £45 million ($61m) and the Cherries are refusing to ...
Panama v Mexico: Final - CONCACAF Nations LeagueThe Fulham striker dismissed the idea of a true football rivalry between El Tri and La Albiceleste.Chile v Argentina - FIFA World Cup 2026 QualifierWHAT HAPPENED?Raúl Jiménez, striker for Fulham and a regular with the Mexican national team, weighed in on recent remarks made by Lionel Messi regarding the supposed football rivalry between Mex...
Tottenham Hotspur FC v Brighton & Hove Albion FC - Premier LeagueThomas Tuchel says he has the "greatest respect" for Ange Postecoglou, but has hinted he understands why Tottenham chose to sack the Australian. WHAT HAPPENED?England boss Tuchel was asked about Postecoglou at his press conference ahead of the Three Lions' World Cup qualifier against Andorra, with the news breaking minutes before...
Tottenham Hotspur FC v Brighton & Hove Albion FC - Premier LeagueTottenham players have been left fuming by the club's decision to sack Ange Postecoglou and his successor may face a player revolt, per a new report.WHAT HAPPENED?Per the Daily Telegraph, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has angered a number of players with his decision to sack Postecoglou on the back of their Europa League triumph. Wh...
Bayer 04 Leverkusen v Borussia Mönchengladbach - BundesligaLiverpool have submitted a fresh bid for Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz, and are now reportedly closer to reaching a deal for the German.WHAT HAPPENED?The Premier League champions have been working hard since the end of the season to sign Bayer Leverkusen's in-demand Wirtz, as they looked to beat the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester...
- 1 Albanian Laura Woods wows fans in Champions League final outfit
- 2 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 3 Marcus Rashford 'grows close' to stunning semi-pro padel player
- 4 Why Premier League transfer may be off the cards for Victor Osimhen as Man Utd make 'timid' attempts to convince striker
- 5 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 6 FIFA confirms 34 team base camp training sites in the United States for 2025 Club World Cup, including nine in Florida and five in Calitornia
- 7 Man Utd continue to be linked with Emi Martinez
- 8 Daily Laugh - Mbeumo and his amazing talent
- 9 Liverpool's dream transfer window with six signings including £100m striker
- 10 Chukwueze reveals cause of AC Milan’s ‘disastrous’ season