Leeds 0-1 Blackburn: Sammy Smodics scores as Rovers clinch stunning Elland Road win

A late goal from Sami Smodics handed relegation-threatened Blackburn Rovers a shock win as Leeds United failed to grab a chance to return to the top of the Championship.

Sam Gallagher flicked on keeper Ainsley Pearce's long kick to Tyrese Dolan, whose excellent pass was won by Smodics.

Smodics coolly slotted past keeper Ilan Meslier to stun the Elland Road crowd and lift Rovers five points from the bottom three.

For the second time in the space of a few days, leaders Leicester saw off both Leeds and Ipswich, giving them chances to go top.

Leeds failed to capitalize on that opportunity in midweek A goalless stalemate at Sunderland on Tuesday And Ipswich drew 0-0 at home to Watford 24 hours later.

However, Suffolk came out on top after picking up a point 1-1 draw at home to Middlesbrough At 15:00 BST kick-offs.

Following Leicester's 1-0 defeat at Plymouth on Friday evening, Leeds are determined not to lose their footing again.

But Blackburn wanted to make amends. 5-0 defeat at Bristol City They defended well and deceived a raucous home crowd.

Pearce avoided first-half strikes from Willie Knonto and Connor Roberts, while Ilia Crewe missed a good chance for Leeds after good work down the left from Crisencio Summerville.

The visitors were happy to defend in numbers and didn't threaten until they counter-attacked five minutes before half-time.

Szmodics pounced on Summerville's under-hit pass to Roberts and headed towards the left-hand edge of the penalty area only to see his low shot deflected away by Meslier.

Leeds were straight on the front foot after the break and they survived two big second-half scares as Knonto fired just wide.

After Meslier gave the ball away with a poor throw, Joe Rankin-Costello fired narrowly wide.

And a miraculous piece from Roberts – again after Leeds had given the ball away – prevented a certain goal.

Smodics, on the right of the penalty area, crossed towards Dolan, who was denied a simple close-range finish by Roberts who somehow managed to deflect the ball away from him.

Leeds went close three times before Szmodics' winner: Pearce denied Junior Firpo, Gnonto couldn't get a touch on Daniel James' shot and Patrick Bamford headed James' cross over the bar.

Daniel Farke's side desperately sought an equaliser, they appealed for a penalty and Bamford went down in the box at the last minute, a Leeds coaching staff red card for reacting angrily to the technical area at the spot. -No kick given.

Leeds boss Daniel Farke told BBC Radio Leeds:

„When you face a side like Blackburn with a player like Szmodics, he showed a quality that we didn't show today and he only needed one chance to score.

“So many balls went through the box, but the quality of putting the ball in the net also needs to be shown.

„If you don't score you have a lot of risk. There's also a risk that your opponent will have a moment and they can score. It's very frustrating and frustrating for us.

„We didn't put the ball in the net and if you don't score, you don't win the game.

„If we don't score it's up to me – to find solutions. I have to work with them so we can create more chances in the next game.”

Blackburn boss John Eustace told BBC Radio Lancashire:

„I'm very proud. The effort the lads have given me since I've come in has been fantastic.

„We had a game plan without the ball. We knew they would take more risks as the game went on and it was a fantastic game to score.

„We have a quality team. Wednesday [losing 5-0 to Bristol City] It was a bit confusing. It is clear that we are difficult to play against.

„It's important that we work hard and stick together and we have three big games coming up and know we need more points.

„You can only win if you stick together. We had a really tough time on Wednesday, but the unity we showed – everyone thought we were going to come here and lose – was huge.”