Match ends, Brentford 3, Blackburn Rovers 1.
BrentfordBrentford3BlackburnBlackburn Rovers1
Brentford returned to winning ways as Andre Gray scored his ninth goal of the season to help defeat Blackburn.
The 23-year-old fired across Jason Steele to score between goals from Jonathan Douglas and Jota.
Douglas' 15th minute tap-in was cancelled out by Blackburn's Rudy Gestede, whose acrobatic volley found the back of the net via a deflection.
Bu the hosts took all three points as Jota slotted past Steele just after Ben Marshall had rattled a Brentford post.
It was the home side's sixth victory in seven matches and further cemented their place in the play-off places.
Blackburn, meanwhile, have drifted further away from the top six following consecutive defeats.
Former Rovers youth player Douglas got the hosts off to the perfect start after he stuck out a foot to divert full-back Jake Bidwell's shot on target.
Gestede, who has now scored seven goals in his last eight matches, equalised on the stroke of half-time.
But, 10 minutes into the second-half, Gray restored Brentford's lead as he controlled a cross from Jota on his chest before spinning from the defender and scoring.
The defining moment came after the hour mark as Blackburn spurned a chance to equalise for a second time and Jota latched on to a mis-placed pass in midfield, glided past the missing Rovers defence and netted to ensure victory.
Brentford manager Mark Warburton: "He (Gray) loves scoring goals and that is a big part of the character of a centre-forward. He genuinely enjoys it. He was a handful, he gave their two centre-halves a torrid afternoon.
"Everyone has a price. The owner will decide the price. That's life, and we would replace him. But right now this is a good place. I think anyone would think long and hard before leaving here."
Blackburn manager Gary Bowyer: "Obviously it's a major disappointment, we came here to try to win the game.
"We got ourselves back in it before half-time, we started the second half well, but the manner of the goals have been soft again from our point of view.
"But we didn't stop and when we hit the post at 2-1 it was a huge moment in the game."
Line-ups
Brentford
Formation 4-1-4-1
- 27Button
- 10Odubajo
- 6Dean
- 5Craig
- 3Bidwell
- 8Douglas
- 23JotaSubstituted forDallasat 76'minutes
- 20DiagouragaBooked at 78mins
- 21PritchardSubstituted forSmithat 87'minutes
- 18Judge
- 19GraySubstituted forProschwitzat 87'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Saunders
- 15Dallas
- 16Bonham
- 17Toral
- 24Smith
- 26Tarkowski
- 39Proschwitz
Blackburn
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 30Steele
- 15BaptisteBooked at 39minsSubstituted forLoweat 78'minutes
- 5Hanley
- 22Duffy
- 14Olsson
- 32ConwaySubstituted forDunnat 67'minutes
- 17WilliamsonBooked at 66minsSubstituted forRhodesat 67'minutes
- 29Evans
- 12Marshall
- 25Tunnicliffe
- 39Gestede
Substitutes
- 2Henley
- 6Lowe
- 8Dunn
- 11Rhodes
- 13Eastwood
- 16Varney
- 20Songo'o
- Referee:
- Andy Woolmer
- Attendance:
- 11,848
Match Stats
Home TeamBrentfordAway TeamBlackburn
- Possession
- Home54%
- Away46%
- Shots
- Home11
- Away11
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away4
- Corners
- Home3
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Brentford 3, Blackburn Rovers 1.
Post update
Attempt missed. Rudy Gestede (Blackburn Rovers) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Ben Marshall with a headed pass.
Post update
Attempt missed. Jordan Rhodes (Blackburn Rovers) left footed shot from the left side of the box is too high. Assisted by Rudy Gestede with a headed pass following a set piece situation.
Post update
Foul by Nick Proschwitz (Brentford).
Post update
Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Brentford. Nick Proschwitz replaces Andre Gray.
Substitution
Substitution, Brentford. Tommy Smith replaces Alex Pritchard.
Post update
Harlee Dean (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Jordan Rhodes (Blackburn Rovers).
Post update
Attempt missed. Jordan Rhodes (Blackburn Rovers) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Markus Olsson with a cross.
Post update
Attempt missed. David Dunn (Blackburn Rovers) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Jordan Rhodes with a headed pass following a set piece situation.
Post update
Foul by Stuart Dallas (Brentford).
Post update
Markus Olsson (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Substitution
Substitution, Blackburn Rovers. Jason Lowe replaces Alex Baptiste.
Booking
Toumani Diagouraga (Brentford) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Toumani Diagouraga (Brentford).
Post update
Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Brentford. Stuart Dallas replaces Jota.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
