Sheffield United 1-3 Blackburn Rovers: Visitors ensure Championship survival with win over Blades

Japan duo Yuki Ohashi and Ryoya Morishita inspired Blackburn Rovers to a 3-1 win over Sheffield United that ensured Michael O'Neill's side another season of Championship football.

Rovers knew a win would be enough to avoid the drop and they did much of the hard work in an impressive first half, taking a 3-0 lead before sitting back to defend it after the break.

Morishita's piercing through ball set up Ohashi for their 12th-minute opener, before Morishita added the second from close range after 32 minutes.

Ohashi struck again on the stroke of half-time, powerfully heading past Adam Davies to make it three. The Blades improved in the second half and pulled a goal back through Harrison Burrows, but it proved to be merely a consolation.

Tom Cannon missed the target with an early opening for the Blades before Blackburn took the lead with a goal created and scored by their Japanese international duo.

A fine left-footed pass from Morishita split the home defence and Ohashi burst into the huge amount of space afforded to him by the Blades backline and kept his composure to fire low past Davies.

The pair were involved again shortly after the half-hour as Rovers doubled their lead following a move started by an impressive driving run from Ryan Alebiosu, who danced into the area and forced a save from Davies.

But the Blades could not clear the danger, and Yuri Ribeiro crossed the ball back in for Ohashi, whose header was saved only Morishita to tap in from close range.

It was almost three via another quick counter-attack led by Morishita, who pulled the ball back invitingly for Taylor Gardner-Hickman, but the midfielder blazed over the bar.

But it mattered little as on the stroke of half-time Ohashi rose above a static Blades defence to head home Alebiosu's cross and give O'Neill's side a commanding lead at the break.

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder made four half-time substitutions and it led to an improved second period from the hosts. They pulled a goal back in the 57th minute when Burrows tucked home Cannon's cutback.

Cannon went close with a header on 66 minutes, while Tyler Bindon missed a wonderful opportunity to make it 3-2 by skewing his effort wide from close range.

Gustavo Hamer also flashed a shot wide as the hosts pushed for a second with Blackburn content to sit back, but Rovers defended well to complete the victory that ensured they beat the drop with a game to spare.

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield:

"[We were] miles off of it, no energy, no sharpness to our play at all. The first goal was always going to be important. They're compact, they're organised, they hit you on the break. We had to get the first goal, but we didn't, and we were loose in terms of our passing.

"They broke on us and if we defend like that then they are going to punish us. There was no energy in the middle of the park and [there was] just the looseness about our general play.

"We've not defended well enough at all. We've not got out to stop crosses, we've not defended in the box, we've not defended well enough as a back four. From 3-0 down at half-time, [it] is a long way to come back.

"We changed the shape [in the second half], we played more direct and there was more energy about us. We went to the end but it's not going to be a pat on the back and a congratulations, the first half was not good enough.

"I wasn't expecting it, we were expecting to finish on a high to try and get to 60 points tonight, and to get to 66, and that would still be an achievement in my eyes. But it was lethargic approach from us. We've got to get it right for Saturday because I don't want everyone to feel like this in our last home game."

Blackburn Rovers head coach Michael O'Neill told BBC Radio Lancashire:

"Relieved, more than anything else, delighted for the players, delighted for the club.

"I don't like to call it a celebration because you never want to be in this situation. A really good performance, first half was a terrific performance, second half we had to show a different side of our character. To come here and win 3-1 is testament to the players and their application.

"It shows there is quite a lot of potential in the squad, but equally we've got to recognise why we have to go to the 45th game to preserve our Championship status. I'm pleased because it was a difficult situation that I came into. The most important thing is there is a bit of positivity back in the club.

"When you're in a situation that we're in, it's on your mind every day, so at least now I can go into a game slightly more relaxed on Saturday. I think it's important that we finish strongly."

[On his managerial future at Blackburn] "Those discussions will take place. The club has a decision to make themselves which direction they want to go.

"I'm a contracted manager, so the same goes for any club if they wanted me as their manager. They would have to go through the IFA (Irish Football Association) and meet the terms of the release clause, and I would have to want to do it.

"This was a loan and I suppose given where we are it would be deemed as a successful loan. I'm sure conversations will happen one way or the other in the weeks ahead.

"You can't do both, there's no way you can do both. At some point I'll have to make the decision one way or the other."

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