Blackburn denied Leeds a return to the top of the Championship with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Ewood Park.
Todd Cantwell’s first-half penalty, awarded after Ao Tanaka brought down Tyrhys Dolan in the box, proved decisive as the in-form Rovers secured their third consecutive win.
Despite heavy pressure from Leeds in the second half, Blackburn missed opportunities to extend their lead but held on for the narrow victory.
The loss ends Leeds’ three-match winning streak, leaving them three points behind leaders Sheffield United.
Blackburn started strongly and managed to withstand Leeds’ dominance in possession, as the visitors struggled to break down John Eustace’s well-organized defense.
The game’s only goal came when Dolan was barged off the ball by Tanaka after cutting inside Pascal Struijk, and Cantwell confidently dispatched the penalty, firing low past goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
Leeds had chances to equalize, with Brenden Aaronson missing before the break, and efforts from Wilfried Gnonto and Struijk either saved or blocked early in the second half.
As Leeds pushed for an equalizer, Blackburn also created chances, with Cantwell going close twice in quick succession—first dragging a volley wide and then having a shot blocked by Struijk.
In a tense finale, Leeds striker Patrick Bamford had three opportunities to level the score.
However, he missed two headers and sent another shot wide, allowing Blackburn to survive nine minutes of added time and secure all three points.
Blackburn head coach John Eustace speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire:
“Outstanding performance and very proud of the boys. All round we were brave trying to play out from the back and while it caused us a couple of problems and gave them a couple of opportunities, we tried to play the right way and with good attacking football as well, trying to go toe-to-toe with a good team.
“They did have lots of the ball and that was always going to happen but it is important when we get the opportunities we have to be more clinical. But the most important thing is we got the three points.
“It is important that Todd Cantwell is off the mark now as I think it has been playing on his mind a little bit. He could have scored a couple more but he is getting in the right areas and playing some fantastic football.”
Leeds head coach Daniel Farke speaking to BBC Radio Leeds:
“Blackburn had the better start and for that they deserved to win the game. We started too slow and gave too many unnecessary free-kicks and fouls away. The penalty was the same.
“Lazy is perhaps too harsh but we should have had a bit more aggression and been quicker in the head.
“I was not happy with our start and we have to be ready and quicker and do the yards that are really hurting and we didn’t do that.
“Due to their postponed game they had more or less one game in the last 10 days whereas this was the third in six days for us and an early kick-off as well.”