How Blackburn Rovers have fared on the opening day

Jon Dahl Tomasson’s men are aiming to build on last season’s seventh-place finish, which saw them narrowly miss out on a play-off spot by the slimmest of margins on the final day.

How have Rovers fared on the opening day in recent years? We have looked back at their last 10 curtain raisers in the league.

Rovers 1-0 QPR, July 30, 2022

Tomasson’s tenure got off to a winning start last season, with Lewis Travis scoring the decisive goal in a narrow victory against QPR at Ewood Park.

Travis found the top corner with a thumping strike from 25 yards, setting the tone for a strong start to the campaign.

Ben Brereton also had a late goal chalked off for an offside, but Rovers held on to secure the three points.

Rovers 2-1 Swansea, Aug 7, 2021

The 2021/22 campaign also got off to a winning start at home, with Sam Gallagher and Brereton both on target against Swansea.

Gallagher opened the scoring with a rebound and Brereton doubled the lead from the penalty spot after Tyrhys Dolan had been brought down by Swansea goalkeeper Steven Benda.

The visitors pulled one back through Jamie Paterson but couldn’t find an equaliser during the final stages.

Bournemouth 3-2 Rovers, Sep 12, 2020

Rovers came up just short in a five-goal thriller against Bournemouth to kick off their league campaign in 2020.

The fixture took place in mid-September, with the previous campaign finishing in July due to the pandemic.

The hosts twice went in front through Jack Stacey and Jefferson Lerme, but Rovers got back on level terms thanks to Bradley Johnson and Adam Armstrong. Arnaut Danjuma struck the winner six minute from time.

Rovers 1-2 Charlton, Aug 3, 2019

Rovers also tasted defeat on the opening day of the 2019/20 season, losing out against Charlton at Ewood Park.

The visitors went in front through Ben Purrington’s close-range finish but Johnson’s header forced an own goal from goalkeeper Dillon Phillips after the break.

Lyle Taylor scored the winner 13 minutes from time, providing an improvised finish after getting on the end of Jason Pearce’s header.

Ipswich 2-2 Rovers, Aug 4, 2018

Bradley Dack was on target at Ipswich in 2018 (Image: Camerasport)

The points were shared in Rovers’ first game back in the Championship following an even encounter at Portman Road in 2018.

Ipswich took an early lead through Gwion Edwards but Tony Mowbray’s side turned things around through Danny Graham and Bradley Dack.

Tayo Edun, who would later head to Ewood Park, scored a dramatic equaliser in stoppage time to deny Rovers a winning start after their promotion from the third tier.

Southend 2-1 Rovers, Aug 5, 2017

Mowbray’s side kicked off the League One season with a narrow defeat against Southend at Roots Hall.

Ryan Leonard and Michael Kightly were both on target for the hosts during the first half, while Charlie Mulgrew pulled one back after the break.

It wasn’t a sign of things to come, with Rovers finishing second in the table to secure an immediate return to the second tier.

Rovers 1-4 Norwich, Aug 6, 2016

Owen Coyle’s stint in the dugout got off to a tough start following a 4-1 defeat against the Canaries at Ewood Park.

Norwich raced to a 3-0 lead inside the opening 25 minutes thanks to goals from Jacob Murphy, Wes Hoolahan and Cameron Jerome.

Steven Naismith added a fourth after the break before Rovers pulled one back through substitute Anthony Stokes.

Rovers 1-2 Wolves, Aug 8, 2015

The 2015/16 curtain raiser was surrounded by controversy following a 2-1 home defeat against Wolves.

Benik Afobe put the Midlands club in front midway through the first half but Craig Conway got Rovers back on level terms.

Dave Edwards got the winner on the stroke of half time, appearing to use his hand to divert Nouha Dicko’s cross into the net.

Rovers 1-1 Cardiff, Aug 8, 2014

Gary Bowyer’s side began with a scrappy yet entertaining encounter against Cardiff at Ewood Park in 2014.

Kenwyne Jones opened the scoring with a clinical header after 18 minutes but Tom Cairney equalised five minutes before the break.

The fixture was the first of the EFL campaign, with it taking place on a Friday night after being selected for TV coverage.

Derby 1-1 Rovers, Aug 4, 2013

The 2013/14 campaign got off to a similar start following another draw, this time against Derby at Pride Park.

Johnny Russell had given the Rams the lead from the penalty spot late in the first half after Alex Marrow was judged to have handled in the area.

But Leon Best popped up with an 89th-minute equaliser, volleying home to send the away end into raptures.