Blackburn Rovers suffered back-to-back defeat in the Championship as they were beaten 2-0 by Leeds United at Ewood Park.

Jon Dahl Tomasson's side were unable to avenge their defeat against Sheffield Wednesday against fellow Yorkshire opposition, with a goal in each half from Daniel James and Crysencio Summerville earning the visitors three points.

Rovers threatened in both halves and had the majority of the play in the second but again were hamstrung by the lack of a number nine. The approach play was excellent but they were unable to really test Illan Meslier.

Leeds, by contrast, had spells of dominance but showed their Premier League quality, with clinical finishes. James finished off a sweeping counter-attack to fire across goal whilst Summerville took advantage of a gap on Rovers' right to make it two.

Rovers came out of the traps quickly, with the 7,000-strong Darwen End packed with Leeds fans adding to a good atmosphere inside Ewood Park. These early kick-offs can often have a laboured feel but both teams were right up for it from the first whistle.

Tomasson's side were their usual selves. Brave on the ball, to the point that would get your heart racing, and front-footed. They put the pressure on and let Leeds know they wouldn't be in for a cakewalk, just as they did against Leicester City and Ipswich Town.

The automatic-promotion chasers started to settle into their rhythm though and got joy from pressing Rovers high as they tried to play out from the back. Andrew Moran gave the ball away deep in his own half, brought down James and Joel Piroe's deflected free-kick went just wide.

That was a warning that Rovers did not heed. Hayden Carter was dispossed by Georginio Rutter who clipped the ball just wide which naturally gave the visitors plenty of encouragement.

Rovers still posed a threat at the other end but weren't able to land a telling punch. The approach play was neat and intricate but the decisive strike was lacking.

Leeds, by contrast, showed their devastating quality on the counter-attack as they opened the scoring. Rovers were on the attack, turned the ball over and Rutter skipped past James Hill's challenge, fed James and he fired across goal and into the far corner.

That gave Daniel Farke's side what they craved and gave them more control in the match. Rovers continued to push but couldn't work Illan Meslier heading into half-time.

Ahead of kick-off, Rovers were yet to win a Championship game under Tomasson after conceding the first goal. That was a statistic they were going to have to change to avoid defeat.

Tomasson switched things up at the break, bringing Arnor Sigurdsson on to replace Harry Leonard. It meant a reshuffle with Sam Szmodics playing down the middle and Moran moving more central.

Rovers thought they should've had a penalty early in the second half as Pascal Struijk went to ground to challenge Moran. The ball definitely struck his hand, the debate was whether it was deliberate enough. Bobby Madley clearly felt not.

It was a familiar story for Rovers. Plenty of endeavour, plenty of huffing and puffing but they were once again missing that focal point to work Meslier. Leeds retreated into their own half second half but the groans continued from the home fans as Rovers tried to play an extra pass rather than pull the trigger.

Leeds threatened very little in the second half but could have filled the game off with 20 to go. Substitute Willy Gnonto got himself into a shooting position but Leopold Wahlstedt made a fantastic save, pushing for his powerful drive over the bar.

That proved to be just a minor delay though as the Whites made the result secure. Summerville was picked out in acres of space on the left and he finished past Wahlstedt to double their advantage. Rovers appealed for offside but the in-form winger looked to have timed his run, at first viewing.

Tomason's side then had another go, one last push. Arnor Sigurdsson's header was tipped over by Meslier before Jake Garrett went down in the box. Again, Madley said nothing doing.

Once again, Rovers were ultimately left to rue the difference in both boxes. Between each 18-yard area, there was little to separate the automatic-promotion chasers and Tomasson's side. Inside, it was a familiar and telling story.