Blackburn boss John Eustace hailed his side’s “top drawer” substitutes after they helped earn a 4-2 win over Derby in their Championship opener.
Rovers started quickly and were rewarded when Tyrhys Dolan finished off a well-worked move in the 19th minute.
The promoted Rams slowly played their way into the game and equalised through Curtis Nelson’s thumping header in the 67th minute.
The change in momentum was identified by Eustace, who summoned Andi Weimann, Sammie Szmodics and Yuki Ohashi from the bench just before the leveller and the trio took the game away from Derby.
Weimann nodded a debut goal from close range, Szmodics converted a Callum Brittain cross and Ohashi cleverly lifted the ball home for his first Rovers goal before Kane Wilson’s late consolation header.
It was an almost faultless night for the hosts and Eustace was pleased with the impact his substitutes had.
He said: “I thought we were very good for the first 30 minutes. I was really pleased with the way we set the tone with how we wanted to play. The last 15 minutes, there were a few tired legs and we dropped off a little and defended well when we had to.
“It was always a plan to make changes on 60 minutes to get the emphasis back and the energy back in the team and I thought we did that.
“We conceded a goal, but I think with the three changes, defending a set-piece is always difficult, but after they scored I thought we controlled the game again for the next 15 minutes which was great.
“When you bring experience off the bench at vital times, they don’t panic. They are very settled, allow the other players to relax and get on the ball and I think that’s what happened tonight. The substitutes were top drawer and it was pleasing to see everyone play a big part.”
The game highlighted the challenge awaiting Derby on their Championship return and Paul Warne described the opposition substitutions as “cheat codes”.
He said: “I’m pretty proud of the performance. Box to box we were really good. First 10 minutes we weren’t. The pace of their movement was outstanding. They were switching the ball and getting out to their full-backs more than we would like.
“We had to tweak the way we pressed and our shape and I thought the lads from 15-20 minutes on were really good. We created good opportunities, but without much cutting edge.
“I thought second half we looked like, especially after we equalised, the team that were going to win it.
“I don’t think prior to us scoring the equaliser they got in our box. I felt we were in a good place and we were going to go on and win it. Maybe naively.
“They made changes, brought on cheat codes all over the place and we looked a little bit leggy. It’s my fault, I didn’t make the subs quick enough.
“I just felt we gave the ball away unnecessarily and at this level you get punished. I don’t think it was a 4-2 game. I thought the lads kept going to the end. I was really proud of that.”
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