Match ends, Blackburn Rovers 2, Sheffield Wednesday 2.
BlackburnBlackburn Rovers2Sheff WedSheffield Wednesday2
Striker Lucas Joao headed home a late equaliser to rescue a point for Sheffield Wednesday against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.
Hope Akpan nodded Blackburn ahead from Craig Conway's corner before Modou Sougou levelled from close range.
Corry Evans restored the hosts' lead just before the break when he powered a shot past Owls keeper Keiren Westwood.
But the visitors levelled again late on as Kieran Lee sliced towards goal and Joao was on hand to coolly nod home.
The result sees Paul Lambert unbeaten in his first two games as Blackburn boss while Wednesday lie in eighth place in the Championship table, outside the final play-off spot on goal difference.
Lambert's first home game in charge of Rovers got off to a fine start as Conway whipped in a corner which Akpan nodded past Westwood.
Against the run of play, Sheffield Wednesday found an equaliser thanks to some smart play from Lee who beat the Blackburn back line and hit the post before Sougou tapped in the rebound.
Rovers restored their lead soon after when Evans wrong-footed Westwood with a deflected strike from the edge of the area.
| Joao's record off the bench | |
|---|---|
| No player has scored more goals as a substitute in the Championship this season than Sheffield Wednesday striker Lucas Joao (four) | |
The Owls searched for a way back into the game and were almost rewarded but Fernando Forestieri's shot from distance went wide of the mark.
The visitors kept pressing as Forestieri crossed a dangerous ball into the path of onrushing striker Gary Hooper who failed to connect.
With just under 10 minutes to play, Wednesday secured their point as Lee sliced his shot on goal and Joao easily headed past Rovers keeper Jason Steele.
Blackburn Rovers manager Paul Lambert:
"When you draw a game like that, the dressing room becomes a bit low. That can be a bit false because the effort and work-rate was excellent.
"The goals they scored were fortuitous but the second one was a blow because I thought we would see it through, but I said to the lads don't be too dejected. I thought we were well worthy of getting something.
"Ideally, I'd love to have the three (points) but it's a game we could have lost. Overall, four points out of six since we've been here is a good return."
Sheffield Wednesday boss Carlos Carvalhal:
"It's not a question of playing at the beginning, it's about creating the correct environment so Joao can make the difference and we are trying to create this kind of environment. Of course when you go on the pitch with energy in the correct environment, you are helping the team and scoring goals.
"We knew the environment of this game would not be easy because Blackburn have good players, a good coach, changed their coach, his first home game so they came with a full energy.
"We scored the goal, we tried until the last second to win. We deserved the minimum of a draw but I think we fought a lot to try and win the game."
Line-ups
Blackburn
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 30Steele
- 2Henley
- 22Duffy
- 5HanleySubstituted forHenryat 87'minutes
- 14Olsson
- 10MarshallSubstituted forLawrenceat 90+3'minutes
- 29EvansBooked at 31mins
- 21Akpan
- 32ConwaySubstituted forGuthrieat 78'minutes
- 19Taylor
- 11Rhodes
Substitutes
- 3Spurr
- 7Delfouneso
- 9Brown
- 13Eastwood
- 15Henry
- 16Lawrence
- 23Guthrie
Sheff Wed
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 1Westwood
- 2Palmer
- 15Lees
- 5Loovens
- 36Pudil
- 24SougouSubstituted forWallaceat 69'minutes
- 20LeeBooked at 38mins
- 6Semedo
- 17HelanBooked at 31minsSubstituted forHooperat 45'minutes
- 45Forestieri
- 9NuhiuSubstituted forLucas Joãoat 45'minutes
Substitutes
- 10McGugan
- 14Hooper
- 18Lucas João
- 21López
- 26Dielna
- 28Wildsmith
- 33Wallace
- Referee:
- Fred Graham
- Attendance:
- 15,837
Match Stats
Home TeamBlackburnAway TeamSheff Wed
- Possession
- Home50%
- Away50%
- Shots
- Home12
- Away9
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away2
- Corners
- Home8
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away14
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Blackburn Rovers 2, Sheffield Wednesday 2.
Post update
Attempt saved. Jordan Rhodes (Blackburn Rovers) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Chris Taylor with a cross.
Substitution
Substitution, Blackburn Rovers. Tom Lawrence replaces Ben Marshall.
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Fernando Forestieri (Sheffield Wednesday) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Doneil Henry (Blackburn Rovers).
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Attempt blocked. Ross Wallace (Sheffield Wednesday) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Offside, Blackburn Rovers. Ben Marshall tries a through ball, but Markus Olsson is caught offside.
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Substitution
Substitution, Blackburn Rovers. Doneil Henry replaces Grant Hanley because of an injury.
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Delay in match Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers) because of an injury.
Goal!
Goal! Blackburn Rovers 2, Sheffield Wednesday 2. Lucas João (Sheffield Wednesday) header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Kieran Lee.
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Attempt missed. Kieran Lee (Sheffield Wednesday) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Liam Palmer with a cross.
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Attempt saved. Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Shane Duffy with a headed pass.
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Corner, Blackburn Rovers. Conceded by Glenn Loovens.
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Foul by Fernando Forestieri (Sheffield Wednesday).
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Corry Evans (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Corner, Blackburn Rovers. Conceded by Glenn Loovens.
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Attempt blocked. Shane Duffy (Blackburn Rovers) header from the right side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Ben Marshall with a cross.
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Corner, Blackburn Rovers. Conceded by Tom Lees.
