BBC Sport reporter rages at what Blackburn Rovers did v West Brom

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

Published on:

13 Jan 2024, 2:40 pm

Pat Murphy has slammed Blackburn's "shambolic" defending as they shipped three first-half goals to West Brom in a 4-1 Championship defeat.

Rovers could have counted themselves lucky to only be three goals behind at half-time, with Tom Fellows and Brandon Thomas-Asante scoring, before an own goal from Dominic Hyam saw the Baggies instate a dominating result.

The BBC Sport reporter was far more focused on Blackburn's defending for the third goal, as he thought Thomas-Asante had grabbed his brace, which he did in the second half anyway.

"I wish Blackburn could control their defenders, having just conceded their third goal," Murphy said live on BBC Sport's Squad Goals on Saturday (13 January, 3:35pm).

"Shambolic defending, again. Short corner, the ubiquitous Tom Fellows to [Alex] Mowatt. The goalkeeper couldn't hold his powerful shot, the ball rebounding off a few defenders, with Brandon Thomas-Asante there to get his second goal in two minutes."

A one-sided display

West Brom's star striker will be upset that his brace was taken away from him in the first half, with the goal awarded as a Hyam own goal. And he will be even more frustrated as his 63rd-minute strike could have sealed a hat-trick for the second-ever time in his career.

However, Corberan will be extremely happy with his team as they ended the match as 4-1 victors, which kept them five points above the two sides below them, including Sunderland who are outside of the playoff spots currently.

Despite Leeds United continuing their fine season, West Brom remain just six points behind the Whites and will stay hopeful that they can battle for second place in the Championship.

Tom Fellows was another shining light in the Baggies' stunning victory. He came close to assisting an early Adam Reach opener before heading home the first goal himself. If not for the aforementioned Thomas-Asante, the 20-year-old would have been awarded Man of the Match on just his third start of the season.

In other West Brom news, they are targeting yet another January deal.

Blackburn Rovers

Pat Murphy

West Brom