Corry Evans played a starring role as Blackburn came from behind to beat fellow promotion hopefuls Bristol City 3-1 and move to within a point of the Championship play-off places.
Evans suffered a fractured skull and shattered eye socket in a gruesome collision in January, but has recovered during lockdown and contributed a goal – his first in the league since November 2015 – and an assist as Rovers overhauled City in the table on their return to action.
The Northern Ireland international could hardly believe his luck as a cross intended for Sam Gallagher found its way into the net to cancel out Jamie Paterson’s 34th-minute header, before Blackburn took control after the break with goals from Tosin Adarabioyo and Adam Armstrong.
Rovers, hoping the lack of crowd would do nothing to dent their strong home record this season, began on top but created little to show for it, with Elliott Bennett’s low drive in the 14th minute the only moment that Daniel Bentley was tested.
City began to assert themselves more after the obligatory drinks break, and took the lead when Paterson rose highest to meet Tommy Rowe’s cross, and Christian Walton could only push the ball on to the post and in.
Tomas Kalas’ short backpass looked to have let in Ben Brereton as he got in to nick the ball beyond Bentley, but he slipped as he did so and Nathan Baker swept the ball behind.
And Rovers led moments later. City failed to clear Stewart Downing’s free-kick and the ball eventually rolled out to Adarabioyo, who bent a fine shot into the far corner as Bentley’s fingertips were not enough to push it around the post.
