In a thrilling encounter at Ewood Park, Blackburn Rovers showcased their attacking prowess with a commanding 4-1 victory over Millwall on April 18, 2025. This marked a significant turnaround for Rovers, who had been searching for their first home win under head coach Valerien Ismael since February.
The match began with Rovers displaying an aggressive approach, and they quickly created several opportunities. Callum Brittain, making his return from injury, was instrumental in the early stages, setting up two golden chances within the first ten minutes. The first came when he delivered a perfect cross to Yuki Ohashi, who somehow missed the target with a header from close range. Shortly after, Tyrhys Dolan's effort was denied by Millwall's debutant goalkeeper, George Evans.
Despite Rovers' bright start, it was Millwall who drew first blood in a frenetic first half. After Dom Hyam opened the scoring for Blackburn with a powerful header from Brittain's cross, Millwall responded swiftly. Mihailo Ivanovic leveled the score just 90 seconds later, prodding home a low cross from the left side of the box, sending the teams into the break at 1-1.
However, the second half saw Blackburn regain control and assert their dominance. Sondre Tronstad, who had already made an impact, scored his first league goal for Rovers shortly after the restart, firing through a crowded box after collecting a loose ball. This goal shifted the momentum back in favor of Rovers, who were now leading 2-1.
Brittain continued to shine, and he got on the scoresheet himself in the 64th minute, finishing a sweeping move with a precise shot that left Evans with no chance. Tronstad then added his second of the match with a stunning strike from 20 yards, sealing a comprehensive victory for Blackburn.
With this win, Blackburn moved within a point of Millwall in the Championship standings, now sitting in 10th place with 59 points. However, they remain seven points adrift of the playoff positions, a gap that may prove challenging to close with only a few games left in the season.
Millwall, on the other hand, had been riding a wave of form with three consecutive victories prior to this match. Head coach Alex Neil made four changes to his side, including handing a debut to goalkeeper George Evans due to injuries to Lukas Jensen and Joe Bryan. Despite their recent success, Millwall struggled to maintain their momentum against a revitalized Blackburn.
As the match progressed, it became clear that Blackburn's attacking flair was too much for Millwall to handle. The Rovers' performance not only marked a significant home win but also served as a statement of intent as they look to build on this momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.
In the aftermath of the match, Ismael expressed his delight with the team's performance, stating, “It was a great display from the lads. We showed the energy and intensity that I’ve been looking for, and we took our chances when they came.”
As for Millwall, Neil acknowledged the disappointment but remained optimistic about their playoff hopes. “We’ve had a good run, but today we were second best. We need to regroup and focus on the next match,” he said.
The victory was particularly sweet for Blackburn, who had not won at home since February 18 and were eager to establish some consistency as they eye a potential playoff spot. With only four matches remaining in the season, every point will be crucial as they aim to climb the table.
Looking ahead, Blackburn will face a challenging schedule, including matches against Sunderland and Sheffield United, while Millwall will need to bounce back quickly to keep their playoff aspirations alive. With the season drawing to a close, the stakes are higher than ever, and both teams will be looking to make their mark in the final weeks of the Championship.
In conclusion, Blackburn's emphatic win over Millwall not only boosts their confidence but also reignites their hopes of a late playoff push, while Millwall must quickly recover to stay in contention as the season heads into its final phase.
