Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Oxford United: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Coral’s post-match review of Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Oxford United in the Championship on Tuesday, 09 December 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

It finished Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Oxford United in a hard-fought Championship clash at Ewood Park. Oxford took the lead just before the break when Ciaron Maurice Brown headed home in the 45+1 minute, assisted by Michal Helik, giving them a deserved edge after a spell of pressure. Blackburn, coming off a run of draws including 1-1 results against Ipswich and Wrexham, pushed hard in the second half but needed halftime changes to spark things.

Todd Cantwell, who came on at the interval, levelled it up with a penalty in the 78th minute, rescuing a point for Rovers. Oxford, who’ve been patchy with a recent loss to Swansea but a win over Ipswich, looked solid defensively but couldn’t hold on after a triple substitution around the 67th minute. This draw keeps both sides hovering in the lower half of the table, with Blackburn’s recent string of stalemates showing their resilience but also a need for more cutting edge.

Blackburn edged possession with 54% compared to Oxford’s 46%, suggesting they controlled more of the ball, but Oxford made better use of their chances on the counter with 57 successful dribbles to Blackburn’s 47, highlighting their threat in transition. The home side racked up nine corners against Oxford’s three, pointing to sustained pressure, yet they only converted one penalty while Oxford grabbed an assist for their goal, showing efficiency in key moments.

Cards were light with Blackburn picking up one yellow and Oxford two, no reds disrupting the flow, and while Oxford used all five substitutions – including a late double change in the 87th minute where Tyler Goodrham replaced Mark Harris and Ole Romeny came on for Luke Harris – Blackburn stuck to three, like Todd Cantwell entering for Taylor Gardner-Hickman at 46 minutes. No injury-time goals shifted the balance, keeping it a tight affair throughout.

The game’s big shift came right at the end of the first half when Ciaron Maurice Brown nodded in Oxford’s opener in the 45+1 minute, assisted by Michal Helik, catching Blackburn on the back foot after a yellow for Oxford’s Brian De Keersmaecker earlier at 41 minutes. Blackburn responded at halftime with a double switch, as Todd Cantwell replaced Taylor Gardner-Hickman and Dion De Neve came on for George Pratt, injecting energy that paid off later.

Blackburn’s equaliser arrived via Todd Cantwell’s penalty in the 78th minute, following a yellow for their own Sidnei Tavares at 56 minutes, and soon after Moussa Baradji subbed in for Tavares at 81 minutes. Oxford made a triple change at 67 minutes – Jack Currie for Greg Leigh, Tom Bradshaw for Will Lankshear, and Sam Long for Hidde ter Avest – before late yellow for Mark Harris at 87 minutes and their final swaps with Tyler Goodrham and Ole Romeny entering, but it wasn’t enough to regain the lead.

Blackburn Rovers lined up in a 3-4-1-2 shape, allowing them to build from the back while pushing wing-backs forward, with partnerships like Sidnei Tavares in midfield providing some creativity before his yellow and later substitution for Moussa Baradji. Todd Cantwell, who came on early in the second half for Taylor Gardner-Hickman, slotted into an attacking role and proved decisive with his penalty. Dion De Neve also entered at the break for George Pratt, adding fresh legs to the setup.

Oxford United set up in a 5-3-2 formation, focusing on a solid defensive block that frustrated Blackburn, with Ciaron Maurice Brown standing out at the back by scoring their goal assisted by Michal Helik. Midfielders like Brian De Keersmaecker and Mark Harris, who both picked up yellows, worked hard before changes saw Jack Currie replace Greg Leigh, Tom Bradshaw come on for Will Lankshear, and Sam Long for Hidde ter Avest in a triple switch. Late subs Tyler Goodrham for Harris and Ole Romeny for Luke Harris aimed to shore things up.

Coral’s Man of the Match was Jamie Cumming, who stood tall in goal with three crucial saves that kept Oxford in the game despite conceding once. His one clearance and one punch helped clear danger under pressure, especially as Blackburn piled on nine corners, making him a steady presence throughout the match.

Recent Championship matches:

• Draw: 1-1 vs Oxford United (H)
• Draw: 1-1 vs Ipswich Town (H)
• Draw: 1-1 vs Wrexham (A)
• Loss: 0-1 vs Queens Park Rangers (H)
• Win: 2-1 vs Preston North End (A)

Recent Championship matches:

• Draw: 1-1 vs Blackburn Rovers (A)
• Loss: 0-2 vs Swansea City (A)
• Win: 2-1 vs Ipswich Town (H)
• Draw: 1-1 vs Norwich City (A)
• Draw: 1-1 vs Middlesbrough (H)

Blackburn Rovers have just drawn 1-1 at home to Oxford United, extending their run of stalemates after similar results against Ipswich and Wrexham, though they did nick a win at Preston earlier. Sitting 20th on 22 points, they’ll look to climb away from the danger zone when they face Portsmouth, who are 22nd on 17 points, on 13 December 2025 at 15:00 – a chance to build momentum against a fellow struggler.

Oxford United have just earned a 1-1 draw away at Blackburn Rovers, bouncing back a bit after a loss to Swansea but building on draws with Norwich and Middlesbrough plus a win over Ipswich. Currently 21st on 19 points, they face a tough test against high-flying Preston North End, fourth on 32 points, on 13 December 2025 at 12:30, where picking up anything could help them pull clear of the bottom spots.

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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.