What a rollercoaster of emotions at The Hawthorns! The Baggies made it back-to-back Championship victories following their dramatic comeback against Wrexham, this time edging out Tony Mowbray’s Blackburn Rovers in a thrilling 3-2 encounter.
After Tuesday evening’s remarkable comeback victory against Wrexham, I was hoping Albion would come flying out of the blocks against Blackburn Rovers. However, what unfolded inside the opening 12 minutes was an absolute nightmare for James Morrison’s side, as the visitors raced into a two-goal lead.
Just six minutes into the contest, Brayann Pereira was caught in possession, allowing Kristi Montgomery to help create an opportunity for Andri Gudjohnsen. The Icelandic striker, who I’d actually picked as Blackburn’s player to watch in my match preview, made absolutely no mistake, firing an effort beyond Max O’Leary from around 20 yards out to give Tony Mowbray’s side the perfect start.
Albion almost responded immediately when Jayson Molumby struck the post from close range, but things were about to get even worse for the Baggies.
In the 12th minute, Blackburn doubled their advantage following a corner, with Gudjohnsen once again finding himself in the right place to fire home his second goal of the afternoon. Suddenly, Albion were 2-0 down, and the atmosphere around The Hawthorns had changed completely.
Having predicted a flying start for the Baggies, with Isaac Price and Jimmy-Jay Morgan putting us two goals ahead, I certainly hadn’t expected the scoreline to be the other way around!
Barney Stewart Gives Albion Hope
Thankfully, Albion didn’t allow their disastrous start to completely knock their confidence, and just seven minutes after Blackburn’s second goal, the Baggies found a way back into the contest.
In the 19th minute, Rovers lost possession in a dangerous area, allowing Rabby Nzingoula to get a shot away. His effort was blocked, but the ball fell kindly to Barney Stewart, whose strike took a deflection before finding its way past Blackburn goalkeeper Balázs Tóth.
It was Stewart’s first goal for Albion, and what an important moment it was for the youngster!
Suddenly, the Baggies had something to build on, and the home supporters were given renewed hope that another comeback might be possible.
Albion continued searching for an equaliser before the interval, with Jimmy-Jay Morgan heading over from an Isaac Price corner. At the other end, Blackburn almost restored their two-goal advantage when Jayden Fevrier fired over following an opportunity involving Todd Cantwell.
Despite the improvement, Morrison’s side headed into the half-time break trailing 2-1, with plenty of work still to do.
Albion Turn Up the Pressure
The second half saw Albion come out with much greater purpose as they looked to find a way back into the game.
Morgan was involved in another promising opportunity shortly after the restart, while Price also went close with an effort that flew over the crossbar.
Blackburn, meanwhile, remained dangerous whenever they ventured forward, and Gudjohnsen had an opportunity to complete his hat-trick, only to direct his header wide.
As the half progressed, Albion began to take control of proceedings, creating opportunities but struggling to find that all-important equaliser.
Nzingoula fired an effort wide, while Price also went close again as frustration started to build around The Hawthorns.
It was beginning to feel like one of those afternoons when the chances simply weren’t going to fall our way.
However, just as they had done against Wrexham, the Baggies refused to give up.
Price Produces a Moment of Magic from the Spot
In the 72nd minute, Albion were handed the perfect opportunity to draw level when Jayson Molumby was brought down inside the penalty area by Sean McLoughlin following a quick counterattack.
The referee pointed to the spot, giving Isaac Price the chance to make it 2-2.
And what did the Northern Ireland international do?
Rather than simply putting his foot through the ball, Price produced an outrageous Panenka penalty, calmly lifting his effort down the middle of the goal to send The Hawthorns into celebration.
Talk about having nerves of steel!
It was a brilliant moment of composure from Price, particularly given the importance of the occasion, and suddenly Albion had completed the first part of their comeback.
With the scores level at 2-2 and plenty of time remaining, there was a growing sense that Morrison’s side could go on and win it.
Felix Horn Myhre Sends The Hawthorns Wild!
As the game entered its closing stages, Albion continued to push forward in search of a winner.
Morgan came close with a header following a delivery from Ousmane Diakité, but the Baggies were still searching for that decisive third goal.
Then, in the 89th minute, came the moment that sent The Hawthorns into absolute dreamland.
Jayson Molumby delivered a dangerous cross into the penalty area, where Aune Heggebø rose to meet it and directed the ball into the path of substitute Felix Horn Myhre.
The Norwegian midfielder reacted brilliantly, finishing from close range to put Albion 3-2 ahead and complete another remarkable comeback.
What a moment!
After being 2-0 down inside the opening 12 minutes, Albion had somehow turned the contest completely on its head, with Myhre scoring his first Championship goal at the perfect time.
And once again, Heggebø had played an important role in the winning goal. After scoring the winner against Wrexham, the striker followed it up by providing the assist for Myhre against Blackburn.
Feed the Hegg and he will score — or set one up!
Blackburn attempted to find a late equaliser during stoppage time, but Albion held firm to secure another dramatic victory.
Morrison’s Baggies Show Their Fighting Spirit Again
For the second successive match, Albion demonstrated tremendous character to come from behind and claim all three points.
However, while the result was fantastic, the opening 12 minutes cannot simply be ignored.
Conceding twice so early at home is something Morrison will undoubtedly want to address, particularly with the Championship being such an unforgiving division.
Against Blackburn, the Baggies showed that they have the attacking quality and determination to recover from difficult situations, but they cannot keep giving opponents such significant advantages.
Credit must also go to Morrison for his second-half changes, with substitutes Heggebø and Myhre combining for the winning goal.
It was another example of the Albion bench making a decisive contribution, just as it had done against Wrexham.
My Standout Performers
There were several players who deserved recognition for their contributions to this remarkable victory.
Barney Stewart deserves plenty of praise for scoring his first Albion goal and giving the Baggies a lifeline when they desperately needed one.
Isaac Price once again demonstrated his importance to the team, producing a moment of real quality and confidence from the penalty spot to bring Albion level.
Jayson Molumby also played a significant part in the comeback, winning the penalty before delivering the cross that eventually led to Myhre’s winner.
And of course, Felix Horn Myhre deserves a special mention for coming off the bench and scoring the decisive goal in the 89th minute.
But I also want to highlight Aune Heggebø. After all the criticism he has received from some supporters on social media, he has now played a direct role in winning two consecutive matches.
He scored the winner at Wrexham and then provided the assist for the winner against Blackburn.
Surely he deserves some credit for that!
Final Thoughts – Another Comeback, Another Three Points!
What an extraordinary week it has been for West Bromwich Albion!
After back-to-back derby defeats against Wolves and Birmingham, there were understandable concerns about how the Baggies would respond.
But two games later, Albion have collected six points from two remarkable comeback victories.
First, it was Isaac Price and Aune Heggebø turning things around against Wrexham. Now, Barney Stewart, Price and Felix Horn Myhre have produced another memorable turnaround against Blackburn Rovers.
Of course, there are still areas that need improving. Albion cannot afford to keep starting matches so poorly, and conceding two goals inside 12 minutes is certainly not the kind of performance Morrison will want repeated.
Nevertheless, there is something special about a team that refuses to accept defeat, even when everything appears to be going against them.
For Tony Mowbray, it was a disappointing return to The Hawthorns after his Blackburn side had looked in complete control during the opening stages.
For James Morrison, however, it was another hugely satisfying afternoon as his Baggies showed resilience, belief and a never-say-die attitude.
Two matches, two comebacks, six points and plenty of drama. Albion certainly don’t do things the easy way!
Full-time: West Bromwich Albion 3-2 Blackburn Rovers
Albion goalscorers: Barney Stewart (19′), Isaac Price (72′, penalty), Felix Horn Myhre (89′)
Blackburn goalscorer: Andri Gudjohnsen (6′, 12′)