Graham’s treble gets Rovers on track again
DOMINANT Blackburn helped boss Tony Mowbray celebrate his new long-term deal in style by brushing aside dismal Wednesday.
Mowbray penned a new three-and-a-half year contract on Friday and his players did him proud as they bounced back from successive defeats.
Danny Graham was the star turn, bagging his first Rovers hat-trick in front of a buzzing Ewood Park crowd.
Mowbray said: “That really was a performance we can all be proud of.
“We just kept powering forward when Wednesday came back at us and that just highlights our intentions.
“I’m really pleased for Danny too. He’s proved once again that he is a really special finisher.
“It’s been quite a tough week in terms of results to be honest, so it has ended positively.”
Rovers threatened early on, with Harrison Reed grazing the outside of a post just eight minutes in.
Two minutes later, Graham pounced to slam in a rebound after Bradley Dack’s initial strike was parried by keeper Cameron Dawson.
Graham turned provider seven minutes after the restart, squaring perfectly for Dack, who side-footed home his 11th goal of the season.
Boos turned to cheers from the sizeable travelling faithful when Lucas Joao crashed home from 30 yards with the Owls’ first attempt on target.
But the Dack-Graham combo struck again as the latter converted another rebound after Dack’s effort thumped the base of a post.
Barry Bannan dinked home Wednesday’s second via Rovers keeper David Raya’s glove with six minutes left, but the final word went to Graham who converted yet another Dack tee-up to slot in Rovers’ fourth.
Owls boss Jos Luhukay is feeling the heat after a sixth defeat in eight games.
He said: “I understand the fans’ reactions. I’m also frustrated and irritated after that result.
“It’s not a situation anyone likes. The expectations are very high at this club – I know that – but we all have to believe that we can turn the results around.”