Valerien Ismael hails Blackburn belief after overdue victory against Southampton

Valerien Ismael praised the belief of his Blackburn players after they came from behind to defeat 10-man Southampton 2-1.

Amid a run of five defeats in six home games in all competitions this season, that miserable run was in danger of being extended after Leo Scienza’s smart 23rd-minute finish.

Rovers had struck the goal frame before going behind, spurned two one-on-one chances, and survived themselves when former striker Adam Armstrong was twice clean through, including hitting a post.

But the hosts eventually themselves back into the game when Ryan Alebiosu’s 76th-minute cross deceived everyone, and Andri Gudjohnsen slammed home from close range 10 minutes later – both their first strikes for the club.

Welington’s senseless stoppage-time dismissal compounded Saints’ misery.

Blackburn’s five-game winless run is over and Ismael said his players got their rewards for their second-half showing.

He said: “Credit to the players in the second half, it was really good.

“I was not pleased with the first half, I made that point at half-time to the players because it’s not like we played the last two games, and not what we wanted. The second half is exactly what we wanted: desire, belief, passion, luck. Big moment as well with a big save from (Toth).

“But this is how we want to play, all-in. We got our reward. We should have scored earlier in the game with two massive chances but at the end we came from behind with a great performance second half, got the reward so credit to the players with that great mentality in the second half.

“We put ourselves in some great position to score. I was frustrated to miss but I thought we still had enough time to come back and it was exactly what happened. Lots of positives with the first goal from Andri and Ryan with his first goal as well.”

Southampton are just a place above Rovers and three above the drop zone after losing their third game on the road in five and have won just once in 11 games.

A dejected Will Still described it as the “same story” after squandering clear chances.

He said: “We haven’t gone two or 3-0 up. We’ve hit the post, we’ve hit the keeper, we’ve had a goal disallowed that I don’t think is offside. I think the same story, different week.

“First half was a bit scrappy. Not the best game, but we’ve gone 1-0 up, done the hardest thing, defended pretty solidly.

“Then second half again, started off pretty well, created two or three really big chances, not taken them. Then when you leave the opposition in the game, leave it at 1-0, you give them the opportunity to put you under pressure, to create chances especially being at home.

“Like I said, it’s the same stuff, different week, different day. We’ve let ourselves down.

“I can understand they’re (the fans) annoyed at me, I can understand they’re frustrated at me. Someone needs to take the blame for it all, I don’t have a problem with that. But like I say, if you go two or 3-0 up, if the goal stands, if Arma scores one of his two big opportunities, I’m probably sat here saying we’ve won 3-0 and not lost 2-1.”