📝 Report: Bristol City 1-1 Blackburn Rovers

Callum O’Dowda’s first goal of the season was cancelled out by a Ben Brereton-Diaz equaliser as Nigel Pearson’s men made it two unbeaten in BS3.

Background

Pearson demanded a reaction from his players as he returned to the dugout after missing his side’s loss to Coventry City prior to the international break due to the effects of Covid-19.

The manager made three changes to the team that played a fortnight earlier, with Nathan Baker and Joe Williams returning from injury, and 18-year-old Ayman Benarous handed his first senior start. 

City were looking for back to back home wins after last month's victory over Barnsley at Ashton Gate, whilst seventh-placed Blackburn were seeking to build on their recent form of three wins from four in the Sky Bet Championship. 

What happened

The first chance of the game fell to City, as Scott’s free-kick was diverted goal bound by the chest of a Blackburn defender, only for the visiting ‘keeper Thomas Kaminski to get down well to his right and palm it away.

Tyreeq Bakinson then saw his shot deflected into the hands of Kaminski as City piled on the early pressure. 

Bakinson went close again soon after, as Andi Weimann teed him up on the edge of the area, but the midfielder’s effort was again deflected behind for a corner.

It was all City as Scott’s corner was flicked on at the front post by Tomas Kalas into the path of Weimann, but the Austrian couldn't steer the ball into the net.

The pressure finally paid off for City as they took the lead just after the half hour mark, when Weimann set up O’Dowda just inside the box, and his deflected right-footed effort looped over Kaminski.

Brereton-Diaz then had the ball in the back of the net for Blackburn but the Chilean was deemed to be offside, and City survived to lead into the break.

John Buckley saw his curling effort sail just wide of Dan Bentley’s goal as Blackburn had the first chance of the second period. 

Benarous was replaced by Han-Noah Massengo after an hour and departed to a standing ovation from the Ashton Gate faithful.

Blackburn equalised against the run of play after Kalas’ headed clearance fell into the path of Brereton-Diaz, and the in-form forward smashed his effort into the roof of the net. 

The visitors went close to taking the lead soon after, as substitute Joe Rothwell sent his volley just wide. 

City had a chance of their own at the other end, when Massengo lofted a ball into the box and Nakhi Wells, who replaced Scott moments earlier, saw his header acrobatically tipped over by Kaminski. 

Report by Kory Cook