Championship:

Swansea City 3 – Blackburn Rovers 1

A dramatic fightback saw Swansea City seal an unlikely victory with three well taken second half goals against Blackburn Rovers after a dreadful first half showing.

Rovers boss Tony Mowbray has never been on the winning team at the Liberty Stadium, and after 45 minutes with his side leading 1-0 he looked odds on to break that hoodoo, but Potter’s master stroke of bringing on Jay Fulton and Leroy Fer in the second period certainly inspired the Swans.

Dan James had a sensational second half, the wide-sided midfielder constantly terrorising the Rovers defence, unlucky not to score when he struck the post with a thumping drive.

Rovers took the lead when skipper Charlie Mulgrew scored from the spot in the first period, midway through the second period and the Swans levelled matters when substitute’s Jay Fulton’s wicked strike from distance hit the woodwork and struck Dave Raya on the back before crossing the line. Three minutes later and Connor Roberts struck to give the Swans the lead. Celina confidently chipped in a late third to ensure that Graham Potter's men clinched the points.

Blackburn had opened the scoring in the 25th minute when they were awarded a penalty when Kyle McNaughton needlessly stuck out a leg to bring down Amari’iBell inside the box. Skipper Mulgrew, who had earlier picked up a booking for clattering Oli McBurnie, confidently drilled in from 12 yards.

It was a poor first half showing from Potter’s Swans outfit, the closest they came to equalising was when Matt Grimes fired a low shot wide that stemmed from a half cleared free-kick five minutes before the interval.

Potter made two changes at half time, Martin Olsson and Tom Carroll were replaced by Leroy Fer and Jay Fulton.

The Swans started to dominate possession – striker McBurnie headed wide from a corner, then Celina fired over from the edge of the box, but at least Potter’s side were showing threatening intent.

Mowbray’s Rovers were content to sit tight and hit the Swans on the break.

The Swans equalised in the 64th minute when the two subs combined, Fer threaded a ball to Fulton, and the latter smashed a wicked strike from 20 yards that struck the post and hit Rovers’ keeper David Raya and the ball crept over the line.

Three minutes later and the Swans took the lead, Dan James made good ground through the middle of the park, slipped a clever pass to Connor Roberts who finished with a first time left foot strike. Youngster James was causing havoc, he broke down the left and let fly with another terrific shot that Raya beat away for a corner.

On the 70 minute mark Dan James had too much pace for Mulgrew and he struck a powerful shot that cannoned against the post. Had that gone in it would have been, game, set and match for Potter’s Swans.

Rovers could have equalised in the 82nd minute when Adam Armstrong’s cross was met by a tame Elliott Bennett effort at the far post.

Then Bradley Dack saw his low shot brilliantly stopped by Nordfeldt diving to his left, but with the very next attack the Swans added a well worked third to put the game to bed.

Fer, with his second assist of the night, set-up Celina who deftly chipped Raya much to the delight of the jubilant Swansea Jacks.

Swansea City: Kristoffer Nordfeldt, Martin Olsson (45’ Jay Fulton), Mike van der Hoorn (Captain), Oli McBurnie (89’ Courtney Baker-Richardson), Bersant Celina, Tom Carroll (45’ Leroy Fer), Cameron Carter-Vickers, Dan James, Matt Grimes, Connor Roberts, Kyle Naughton.

Substitutes not used: Erwin Mulder (GK), Joel Asoro, Barrie McKay, Joe Rodon, Manager: Graham Potter.

Blackburn Rovers: David Raya, Harrison Rees, Richie Smallwood, Adam Armstrong, Danny Graham (58’ Ben Bereton), Charlie Mulgrew (Captain), Amari’I Bell, Bradley Dack, Darragh Lenihan (11’ Jack Rodwell), Corry Evans (71’ Joe Rothwell), Elliott Bennett. Substitutes not used: Jayson Leutwiler (GK), Derrick Williams, Craig Conway, Kasey Palmer.

Manager: Tony Mowbray.

Referee: Geoff Eltringham.

Assistant Referees: Daniel Leach & Adam Matthews.

Fourth Official: Lee Swabey.