Blackburn 0-3 Bournemouth: FLW reports as Billing inspires Cherries towards promotion and ends Rovers’ play-off dream

There is of course, still work to do for AFC Bournemouth in the race for automatic promotion from the Championship, but this feels like a big hurdle negotiated in that challenge.

Up against a Blackburn side in the last chance saloon in their pursuit of a play-off place, there was the possibilty of this being a far from simple job for Scott Parker’s side.

That however, was one they would ultimately come through relatively comfortably, clinically taking their chances against a Blackburn side that struggled to create many, something which has now brought a play-off push that promised so much for large portions of the season, to a somewhat underwhelming end, that will seemingly bring the curtain down on Tony Mowbray’s five-year tenure at Ewood Park.

With both sides in need of a win to keep their respective promotion and play-offs hopes alive, it was little surprise to a lively support from both.

The first chance would go the way of the visitors, Philip Billing breaking into the area only to see his shot blocked brilliantly by Brighton loanee Jan Paul van Hecke, who pre-match had been named Blackburn’s Player of the Season.

As the first half went on, it was Bournemouth who would increasingly apply the pressure, Billing seeing a free-kick deflected behind, with appeals for a handball from the Blackburn wall coming to nothing.

However, Bournnemouth would not have to wait much longer for their opener, which would come through a familiar source.

Midway through the first half, a long ball forward from Nat Phillips was headed on by Billing into the path of Dominic Solanke, who burst into the area before firing beyond Thomas Kaminski for his 29th goal of the season to put the visitors in front, as Blackburn appealed for an offside