Blackburn Rovers 0 Brighton & Hove Albion 1
The Albion are back to winning and scoring ways as Bobby Zamora, on his 35th birthday, hit the winner after three minutes and in the process became more prolific than even Peter Ward.
Zamora struck home the rebound after Jamie Murphy’s shot had hit the post.
Jordan Rhodes looked dangerous and was the main threat for Rovers. The former Huddersfield striker went close on a number of occasions.
Hope Akpan tried from distance for the home team and just before half time Zamora’s partnership with Tomer Hemed almost flourished. The Israeli international found Zamora who drew a brilliant save from Jason Steele.
Zamora had another good chance early in the second half but just lifted his shot wide of the post.
Anthony Knockaert saw his shot come back off the post after good work from Liam Ridgewell.
Ex-Seagulls winger Craig Conway forced a good save from David Stockdale as Rovers tried to find a way back into the match.
Part of the match was played in a snowstorm but there was no avalanche of attacks from Rovers.
Albion held on well and the under pressure. Lewis Dunk and new boy Conner Goldson looked a good defensive partnership.
James Wilson came on in the latter stages and kept the Rovers defence occupied. And Rhodes had one last chance in stoppage time which Stockdale dealt with easily.
All in all a good day for the Seagulls, who move back up to fifth in the Championship.
And happy birthday to Bobby Zamora, who notched his 82nd Albion goal. It puts him one in front of Ward but still 41 behind Tommy Cook, a prolific goal scorer from the 1920s who also played for England.
