Hull City 0-1 Blackburn: Rovers back up to second after victory seals fourth win in a row

Blackburn Rovers moved up to second in the Championship after a controlled display against Hull City secured a fourth win in a row.

Top goalscorer Ben Brereton Diaz and Sam Gallagher were kept out again after the break by a smart save from Nathan Baxter.

Hull never threatened to repeat their victory against Rovers in January’s corresponding fixture last season – after owner Akun Ilichali completed his signing – as Jacob Greaves and Dimitrios Pelkas missed free-kicks and failed to find the target on the afternoon.

Rovers’ 11th win of the season moved them into second place, three points ahead of Queens Park Rangers and two behind leaders Burnley.

An in-form Rovers started to shine with Szmodics – bouncing back from last Saturday’s win over Birmingham, reflecting their confidence in possession and making a welcome move to put the visitors ahead.

Receiving a well-balanced pass from Adam Wharton beyond Hull’s defensive line, Szmodics found the bottom left of the net with a right-footed effort for his fourth goal of the season.

The Tigers were chasing Blackburn’s third successive win for the first time since 1970, but Thomas Kaminski only threatened suddenly in the first half with Ryan Longman’s early cross and Greaves’ best-of-the-moment curling effort. .

Baxter were lucky not to be behind before half-time when Breton Diaz’s shot from 12 yards was pushed over after a poor save.

Caretaker boss Andy Dawson made a double change to bolster Hull’s lackluster performance at the break and it seemed to have an effect, with Greaves sending over a corner and Pelkas squandering good chances.

Baxter then had to be at his wits’ end to halt Rovers’ advance – denying Breton Diaz’s effort from 12 yards in a one-on-one after Gallagher was found by the Chile striker.

Hull enjoyed more possession as the match wore on, suffering their first defeat in three games, but Rovers appeared in no mood to let their slender advantage slip away.

Hull interim boss Andy Dawson told BBC Radio Humberside:

“I was disappointed with the first half – we showed them too much respect, obviously we weren’t aggressive enough.

“One thing I think we’ve done very impressively lately is keep the ball and I think we’ve turned it over too cheaply. That’s the last thing you want to do against a team in possession.

“We had a really good second half and we created some great chances but they were a small difference – we came up against a really good team today.”

Blackburn Rovers head coach John Dahl Thomasson told BBC Radio Lancashire.

“I think it was well deserved – a great reward for the players.

“We got the tactics right in the first half, controlled the game and scored a great goal – we should have scored more and killed the game before half-time.

“It was a great win and a good game.”