Blackburn moved up the Championship table with a 2-1 Lancashire derby victory over Preston, their fourth win in five matches. Goals from Lewis Miller and Andri Gudjohnsen gave Valerien Ismael’s side the points and lifted them to 16th, six points shy of the play-off places, while denying Preston the chance to push into the automatic promotion spots.
The game began with energy but few clear openings. Aside from a strong double save by Blackburn goalkeeper Aynsley Pears around the half-hour mark — first denying Michael Smith and then Andrew Hughes — the first half was cagey. The match sprang to life just before the interval when Miller, fresh from international duty with Australia, powered a header home from Ryan Hedges’ inswinging corner to put Blackburn ahead. Barely 80 seconds later Preston levelled through Alfie Devine, who bundled the ball over the line after Lewis Dobbin’s pass and a failed clearance from Sean McLoughlin.
After the break Blackburn took control and reclaimed the lead just after the hour. Ryoya Morishita swung a free-kick to the far post and Gudjohnsen, the son of former Chelsea forward Eidur Gudjohnsen, ghosted across to nod in at the near post. Preston had limited responses: Devine produced an acrobatic but miscued volley and Thierry Small had a powerful effort blocked by debutant George Pratt, but they could not find a way back and suffered their first league defeat since October 21.
There was a late controversy when substitute Makhtar Gueye looked to be shoved in the face while holding the ball, but no penalty was awarded. The match also featured a heavy challenge from Ben Whiteman on Blackburn substitute Moussa Baradji that drew a booking; Sky Sports pundit Tim Sherwood said the challenge was dangerous and argued it merited a red card.
Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom lamented conceding two set-piece goals, saying those lapses made the game an uphill battle and that once they conceded again in the second half his side panicked and lost shape. Ismael praised his players for their intensity after the international break, highlighting improved control in the opponents’ half, fewer sloppy moments and greater purpose in the final third, calling it a step forward and a strong away performance.