The Tigers came from a goal down to win 2-1 at Ewood Park and notch their first league win here since 2016

Super-sub Aaron Connollly roared off the bench to score twice as Hull City came from a goal down to beat 10-man Blackburn Rovers 2-1 at Ewood Park.

Dominant for long periods against Rovers, City fell behind to Sam Gallaghers’s strike with just over 15 minutes left, only for Connolly to fire in two terrific finishes to turn the game on its head.

 

Pickering was sent off after just 16 minutes when the last man pulled back Liam Delap, who had robbed him of possession, but City failed to make the most of it in what turned out to be a drab remainder of the half, before the contest came to life in the closing stages.

Connolly’s double will have been of big relief to Liam Rosenior, his players, and the 1,200 away supporters who were in absolute raptures at full-time, after the most dramatic of comebacks.

Here’s how Tigers reporter Barry Cooper rated the players this afternoon at Ewood Park…

 

Matt Ingram: A couple of wobbly moments in a fairly quiet first period. Huge save just before Connolly bagged the second goal for his side. 7/0

Lewie Coyle: Good in the first half, up and down the right flank. Always there. Took a nasty kick from Gallagher. His header off the line was so, so crucial. 9/10

Jacob Greaves: Really timely intervention inside the opening couple of minutes. Picked up a booking after a tangle. Battled so hard in the second half. 7/10.

Alfie Jones: Fairly solid enough in a frustrating first period. A couple of major headers late on when things got a tad hairy 7/10

Sean McLoughlin: Decent enough, didn’t have a huge amount to do as the game wore on. Came off after Rovers’ goal. 6/10

Jean Michael Seri: Always keen to get on the ball and attempt to make things happen. His vision for Connolly’s first was superb. 7/10

 

Regan Slater: On his 100th appearance for the club, couldn’t get into his rhythm in the first period. Not at his best but no lack of effort as per. 6/10

Adama Traore: One or two positive moments early on, but drifted in and out. Rash, frustrated challenge got him a deserved booking. Saw plenty of it, but lacked any kind of end product. 6/10

Scott Twine: Thrust straight into the starting XI for his debut. Fouled inside 10 seconds and booed from the off, lovely piece of skill to make Rankin-Costello look silly before seeing his shot saved. A really encouraging debut. 7/10

 

Ozan Tufan: Came close to scoring early doors with a fine effort well-saved. Never stopped going all afternoon, even though it didn’t always come off. 7/10

Liam Delap: A constant menace and his constant hustling saw Pickering foul him and get sent off. Worked hard but ran himself into the ground and needed to come off. 6/10