John Eustace: Blackburn matchwinner Arnor Sigurdsson deserves all the plaudits

Posted Sunday, August 25, 2024 by PA

Blackburn head coach John Eustace lauded his matchwinner after Arnor Sigurdsson’s late goal secured a 2-1 win over Oxford.

The U’s took the lead in the 44th minute through Mark Harris’ astonishing 30-yard volley which saw the striker continue his streak of scoring in every Championship game this season.

But Oxford’s joy was short-lived as Joe Rankin-Costello’s smart turn and finish restored parity in first-half stoppage time.

And Sigurdsson completed the turnaround, curling beautifully in off the far post just minutes after coming off the bench.

It maintained Blackburn’s unbeaten start and Eustace praised his matchwinner’s attitude.

He said: “Siggy’s had a really frustrating time. He got injured at the end of last season, missed a good part of that.

“He’s come back in preseason, only had a couple of preseason games and he’s had to be patient.

“He’s trained very well, he did well at Stockport in the cup. He’s proven that he can score at this level. I think his numbers of five goals and four assists last year was impressive so I’m delighted he’s come on and scored the winner today.

“We know he can be a matchwinner for us. Siggy’s a really good lad, a nice professional, a nice lad to work with and that moment today was magnificent and he deserves all the plaudits. It was a great finish.

“I thought it was a difficult Championship game. Typical Championship game. Oxford are well coached, they’re very difficult to play against and I was delighted to get three points in the end.”

It’s the second successive away game that Oxford have lost narrowly and Des Buckingham said the equaliser on the stroke of half-time affected his team.

The U’s boss said: “It’s disappointing because you feel you’ve done enough to go in at half-time with a lead, and I think you can approach the second half a little bit differently whether it be with your changes or how you want to set up.

“As easy as it is to say don’t let it affect you, obviously it does take the stuffing out of you a little bit, especially when it’s the last moment of the first half.

“Again, just watching it back now, it possibly could and should have been stopped. But it wasn’t so we need to get on with it.

“I think, on fair reflection, a draw is probably a fair result. I thought both teams really had a good go, tried to play some good football.

“I’ve just said to them in there, we’ve got a way we want to do it. I think a draw is a fair result, two good teams trying to play. But those key moments make a difference.”