Blackburn have been left annoyed after being held to a 0-0 draw by Hull at Ewood Park, however the level did see Jon Dahl Tomasson’s facet transfer as much as sixth and again into the play-off spots.
Blackburn have been seeking to strike a decisive blow within the race for the highest six after wins for 5 rivals earlier within the day however couldn’t discover a well beyond the Tigers.
They began nicely sufficient and their strain ought to have led to a half-time lead however Tyrhys Dolan slotted large a gilt-edged probability. Roared on by 1,400 away followers, Hull shaded the second half and Allahyar Sayyadmanesh additionally missed the goal when nicely positioned because the guests appeared to money in on their ragged hosts.
A grandstand end evaded Blackburn, whose greatest probability got here in stoppage time when Sorba Thomas struck the facet netting however they’re now winless in 4 and though they’re a degree clear in sixth, it felt like a missed alternative and now units up a doubtlessly season-defining sport on Wednesday with seventh-placed Coventry.
Hull might be vastly inspired by this efficiency following current efforts in opposition to different play-off chasing groups as they made it 5 with out defeat.
How Hull frstrated play-off chasing Blackburn…
Sam Gallagher was recalled to make his one hundred and fiftieth begin for Rovers whereas teenager Harry Leonard made his Hull debut.
Blackburn began confidently and after Ozan Tufan dragged a shot large, they carved Hull open however Joe Rankin-Costello blasted over from the sting of the world after beating the guests’ press.
Hull virtually profited from a unfastened Dominic Hyam go halfway by means of the half however Aynsley Pears shovelled Regan Slater’s 20-yard effort behind.
Dolan ought to have put Rovers forward within the thirty third minute when Ben Brereton Diaz’s go discovered him 12 yards out however he by some means shot large with simply Karl Darlow to beat.
Tyler Morton noticed a robust strike deflected over simply earlier than the break however afterwards, Hull have been a lot improved and virtually scored instantly after the kick-off however Slater dragged a shot large.
They need to have gone forward seven minutes later when Jean Seri’s incisive ball discovered Sayyadmanesh, who outmuscled Harry Pickering six yards out however despatched his shot agonisingly large of the far publish.
Sammie Szmodics hammered large as Blackburn appeared to up the tempo however on the different finish, Hull went shut once more as Adama Traore despatched a curling effort simply large of the left publish.
Regardless of a ragged second half, Blackburn stretched Hull and solely an exquisite sort out from Callum Elder prevented Brereton Diaz from getting a shot away.
The Tigers virtually profited from a late counter-attack as Rovers pushed for a winner however Slater lashed harmlessly over when nicely positioned.
A late Adam Wharton cross evaded everyone and in stoppage time, Thomas lashed into the facet netting from a decent angle.
‘Reaching the play-offs might be powerful for Blackburn’
Former Blackburn midfielder Keith Andrews on Sky Sports activities:
“It is simply a kind of video games.
“If Dolan takes that chance within the first half Hull have to return out extra and commit extra our bodies ahead, after which, with the kind of gamers Blackburn have, a counter-attacking menace themselves, it is a completely different sort of sport.
“I do not purchase into the similarities with final yr (when Blackburn fell simply in need of a play-off place). I’m within the camp that Jon Dahl Tomasson has achieved a very good job.
“In fact, they need to hold pushing ahead and they’re again within the play-offs with a sport in hand, however it’s going to be troublesome for Blackburn due to who they should play within the subsequent few weeks.”
What the managers mentioned…
Blackburn boss Jon Dahl Tomasson: “It was not the outcome we needed. In no way. I believe if you happen to have a look at the sport, I believe we did sufficient to win it.
“We have been shedding high quality in ending, taking too many touches as a substitute of taking pictures on aim, and decision-making within the final third. On the different hand, a degree at this stage might be extraordinarily necessary in the long term. We should not neglect that.
“I do not suppose our efficiency was on the identical stage like in opposition to Huddersfield. However I believe we did sufficient to win it, however in fact we have been missing high quality in ending and decision-making. That is the distinction. That is why it is a draw and never a win immediately. I do not suppose they’d numerous alternatives, the opponent.
“So disenchanted with the draw however at this stage, every level might be necessary. 5 video games to go, nonetheless within the play-offs. I believe if you happen to requested that at first of the season, everyone would have taken that. All people, after two good runs within the cups as nicely.”
Hull head coach Liam Rosenior: “Bravery to dam photographs, bravery to defend, bravery to play out from the again when they’re urgent us.
“A few of our soccer from Karl (Darlow) lower proper by means of them. They’re urgent Karl, he is staying calm, enjoying by means of the press.
“That is what I would like and the extra we do, the higher we’ll get at it. So, the phrase for tonight was simply bravery.
“I believed we have been wonderful in opposition to an excellent staff. I’ve mentioned earlier than, I need to play our means. I believed it was two actually good footballing groups going at it.
“It wasn’t a 0-0 sport. I believed both facet might have gained the sport however I actually loved watching that.
“Jon’s achieved a fantastic job with a very younger staff, enjoying in a sure means and we’re getting there.
“We have been fearless immediately. Younger Harry Vaughan epitomised that together with his efficiency and there was numerous actually optimistic issues to return out of tonight.”
What’s subsequent?
Either side are again in motion on Wednesday evening. Blackburn host Coventry in a 7.45pm kick-off stay on the Sky Sports activities Soccer Purple Button & Sky Sports activities app. Hull head to Middlesbrough in an 8pm kick-off stay on Sky Sports activities Soccer.