Swansea Stage Dramatic Comeback to Defeat Blackburn 2-1 in Championship Clash

Match Report: Swansea City's Extra-Time Triumph Over Blackburn Rovers

In a thrilling Sky Bet Championship encounter at Ewood Park on Tuesday, Swansea City overcame Blackburn Rovers with a 2-1 victory, thanks to a late strike from substitute Liam Cullen. The win marked a pivotal moment in the Swans' campaign, bringing them closer to the play-off positions, while Blackburn’s losing streak at home continued to haunt their season.

Blackburn’s Early Lead and Swansea’s Resilience

Blackburn took the lead in the 28th minute through Todd Cantwell, who capitalized on a deflected cross from Taylor Gardner-Hickman. The goal came after a dominant start from Blackburn, with Ryan Alebiosu and Yuki Ohashi creating key chances. However, Swansea responded with composure, equalizing just before halftime via a stunning volley from Goncalo Franco. The Portuguese forward’s effort, described as a “blockbuster finish,” found the top corner after a high cross from Marko Stamenic, showcasing his technical brilliance.

Cullen’s Breakaway Goal Decides the Match

The momentum shifted decisively in the 67th minute as Swansea’s Liam Cullen, on as a substitute, sealed the win with a clinical finish during a swift counterattack. The goal followed a buildup involving Adam Idah, who provided the crucial cross to the unmarked Cullen. Despite Blackburn’s late push, including a contentious penalty appeal in the 86th minute after Cantwell’s challenge on Cameron Burgess, the referee refused to award the spot-kick, sparking frustration among players and manager Valerien Ismael.

Controversy and Reactions

Ismael expressed outrage over the missed penalty, stating the decision could “change the start of our season” and questioning its fairness. “I saw the footage later, exactly the angle. I went to the referee in the changing room because he needed to have an answer for me,” he said, emphasizing the emotional toll of the loss. Swansea manager Alan Sheehan praised his team’s resilience, highlighting Franco’s goal and Cullen’s poise. “Tonight was all about mentality,” he noted, adding that the victory proved their ability to grind out results despite subpar performances in previous matches.

Key Moments and Stats

Swansea’s Ethan Galbraith forced an early save from Blackburn goalkeeper Balazs Toth, while the Swans’ first-half equalizer came after a well-timed assist from Josh Tymon, celebrating his 100th appearance. In the second half, Blackburn’s Sondre Tronstad had a notable attempt, but Vigouroux’s saves kept the deficit at one. Despite their efforts, Blackburn left Ewood Park with a fourth consecutive home loss, clinging to safety by goal difference.

Next Match: Swansea’s momentum will be tested as they face Leicester City next, while Blackburn must regroup ahead of their clash with Sheffield United.