FootyChatter.com

Liam Cullen's game-time has been limited this season thanks to the form of Zan Vipotnik and the signing of Adam Idah Blackburn Rovers' home struggles continued as Goncalo Franco's sparkling volley and a cool Liam Cullen finish saw Swansea City come from behind to win at Ewood Park. Rovers gave themselves hope of a first victory on their ground this season when Todd Cantwell headed Valerien Ismael's team in front. The goal came via their one genuine chance in the first half, as Ryan Alebiosu's deflected cross looped on to the head of Cantwell and his effort bounced through Ben Cabango's legs and into the net. Swansea might have levelled when Cameron Burgess headed narrowly wide, and the equaliser came just before the break when a patient passing move ended with Josh Tymon picking out Franco at the far post. The Portuguese midfielder finished in style, crashing the ball back across goal and into the far corner. Cantwell was denied a second goal by Vigouroux as Blackburn upped the tempo early in the second period, before Alan Sheehan changed his entire forward line and was rewarded when two of hos four attacking substitutes combined to put Swansea in front. After Augustus Kargbo's loose touch, Adam Idah drove down the right before rolling the ball across the edge of the area for Cullen to guide in his first goal of the season. Blackburn asked questions of Swansea late on, with Yuki Ohashi's looping header forcing another save from Vigouroux before Cantwell's appeals for a penalty - after Burgess' sliding challenge - were turned down. Cantwell, the Blackburn captain, and Ismael were both booked for complaining about the decision as frustration reigned for the hosts. Swansea's win was their third in the league this season Ewood Park has not been a happy hunting ground for Blackburn in the early stages of the season, with defeats to Birmingham City and Norwich City – plus a Carabao Cup loss to Bradford City – coming before their home game against Ipswich Town 10 days ago was abandoned due to heavy rain. Blackburn are still feeling hard done by over last week's EFL ruling that the Ipswich fixture must be replayed in full, and there was more disappointment as they were left with nothing against Swansea. It is still early in the season – and what happened against Ipswich means Blackburn have a game in the hand – but Ismael's side are now only outside the bottom three on goal difference. After a dispiriting defeat at Charlton last weekend, this was not the response Blackburn were hoping for. They may have been hard done by when referee Leigh Bromby opted against awarding a spot-kick in the closing stages, but the home side could have done more earlier in the piece. The mood is much brighter for Swansea after a first win in four Championship games lifted them to seventh, only a point off the play-off places. And if his side did get the rub of the green over the penalty decision, Sheehan will feel some justice has been done having seen contentious calls go against them in their previous two league games. Valerien Ismael said the decision not to award Blackburn a penalty after Cameron Burgess' challenge on Todd Cantwell was "terrible" Blackburn head coach Valerien Ismael: "It was a better performance than last week. I think we give the win away again. The two goals we concede we can avoid. "The first one it is one or two minutes before half-time and we are not aggressive enough to stop the cross. "I said to the boys if you are waiting for something it won't come, so we have to chase it and show more desire and stay on the front foot. "The second half we played like we wanted, but in one situation the first touch is not good and we lose the ball a second time too easily and it is 2-1. "We kept pushing. We created chances. Then the penalty situation… I think it's terrible. That level again. "The decisions against us are changing the start of your season. Managers are losing their jobs because they are not picking up points, but if someone takes the bad decision, then you are losing your job because someone is not doing their job. It's a terrible feeling. " Swansea head coach Alan Sheehan: "With the Hull game, then Birmingham the disallowed goal and then the penalty the other day – I felt like we should have had more points. "But consistency is key, showing up. Tonight was all about mentality. I think we have played a lot better in other games and not got wins so I am very happy to come away with three points and proud of the resilience the lads showed. "I think in moments in the first half we controlled it without creating enough. Then a wonderful bally by Tymo (Josh Tymon) and a wonderful finish from Goncalo [Franco] after going behind. "Second half we made a couple of changes and then Adam [Idah] shows that moment of composure and quality to pick out Culls (Liam Cullen). We have got into those areas so many times this season and not come away with as many outcomes as we should have, but it was an excellent finish. " After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 30th September 2025 at 21: 57 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Valérien Ismaël Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Alan Sheehan Formation: 4 - 3 - 3 Manager: Valérien Ismaël Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Alan Sheehan Formation: 4 - 3 - 3 Championship All competitions All competitions All competitions Blackburn have lost just two of their 24 previous home league games against Swansea (W17 D5), going down 1-2 in 1971-72 and 0-1 in 2023-24. Swansea have won three of their last four Championship games against Blackburn (L1), more than their previous nine beforehand (W2 D4 L3). Blackburn have lost both of their last two home league games, last losing three in a row in March 2019, while they have only lost their opening three at home in a league campaign in 1956-57 and 1996-97. Swansea have lost three of their last four away league outings (W1), failing to score in all three defeats. Blackburn’s Valérien Ismaël has won just one of his five previous Championship games against Swansea (D1 L3), a 1-0 win with Watford in October 2023. Match ends, Blackburn Rovers 1, Swansea City 2. Second Half ends, Blackburn Rovers 1, Swansea City 2. Attempt missed. Lewis Miller (Blackburn Rovers) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Todd Cantwell with a cross following a corner. Corner, Blackburn Rovers. Conceded by Joshua Key. Offside, Blackburn Rovers. Augustus Kargbo is caught offside. Fourth official has announced 5 minutes of added time. Substitution, Blackburn Rovers. Dion De Neve replaces Taylor Gardner-Hickman. Foul by Eom Ji-Sung (Swansea City). Todd Cantwell (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Attempt blocked. Yuri Ribeiro (Blackburn Rovers) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Attempt blocked. Yuki Ohashi (Blackburn Rovers) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Todd Cantwell (Blackburn Rovers) is shown the yellow card. Gonçalo Franco (Swansea City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Todd Cantwell (Blackburn Rovers). Substitution, Swansea City. Jay Fulton replaces Marko Stamenic. Offside, Blackburn Rovers. Yuki Ohashi is caught offside. Attempt missed. Sondre Tronstad (Blackburn Rovers) right footed shot from the right side of the box is just a bit too high following a corner. Corner, Blackburn Rovers. Conceded by Gonçalo Franco. Attempt blocked. Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Yuki Ohashi. Attempt blocked. Andri Gudjohnsen (Blackburn Rovers) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Todd Cantwell with a cross. Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.