Andri Gudjohnsen opens Blackburn account in comeback win against Southampton

Andri Gudjohnsen’s first Blackburn goal completed a dramatic late turnaround as they secured their first Ewood Park victory of the season by beating 10-man Southampton 2-1.

For so long it looked like being the same old story as slack marking gifted Leo Scienza a 23rd-minute opener for Saints – the Brazilian’s maiden strike.

Both sides missed a series of glorious chances, with Ryoya Morishita’s the most glaring just after the break when he was clean through, while former Rover Adam Armstrong struck a post in one of the two occasions he was sent clear.

Ryan Alebiosu gave Rovers a deserved leveller with a cross-cum-shot in the 76th minute before Gudjohnsen was quickest to a rebound with four minutes remaining to move Rovers out of the bottom three.

It could not quieten the Rovers’ fans discontent at their ownership but their anger was matched by Saints supporters who saw Welington sent off for a reckless elbow in stoppage time and they made their feelings towards manager Will Still known after slipping to consecutive defeats.

Armstrong almost set up a 4th-minute opener but Cameron Archer could not turn his low cross beyond the brave Balazs Toth.

Alex McCarthy was almost caught out by a Taylor Gardner-Hickman corner that swirled beyond him and hit the goal frame but their bright start was halted in the 23rd minute when Scienza nipped in ahead of three Rovers players before striding forward and delaying before coolly lifting the ball into the right corner.

Rovers should have levelled within five minutes of the break but first McCarthy spread himself to block Yuki Ohashi’s near-post shot and then Morishita somehow put the ball wide with just the goalkeeper to beat.

They almost paid immediately for their wastefulness when Saints broke and Armstrong was sent clear on the right but Toth was out quickly to block his attempted lofted strike.

McCarthy performed similar heroics when Gardner-Hickman’s slide rule pass set Ohashi on his way but the goalkeeper smothered.

Blackburn’s high line was exposed again on the break in the 66th minute when Armstrong was once again sent clear but Toth got a crucial touch that diverted the ball onto the post and away.

The goal that both teams had been threatening arrived with 14 minutes remaining and it was Rovers who struck through Alebiosu, who turned onto his left foot and curled a speculative cross that missed everybody and deceived McCarthy.

Against a backdrop of chants against owners Venky’s, Blackburn struck a deserved 86th-minute winner when Ryan Hedges met a cross that McCarthy blocked but Gudjohnsen followed up to rifle home.

Southampton’s misery was compounded when Welington was dismissed for elbowing Kristi Montgomery in stoppage time.