Blackburn Rovers knocked out of Carabao Cup by Bradford City

The Bantams raced into a two-goal lead inside five minutes, which proved decisive as they won 2-1 at Ewood Park. That dumped Rovers out of the competition at this stage for the first time in four years.

It was the perfect start for the visitors, backed by a noisy away end of almost 4,000 from Yorkshire. Ibou Touray volleyed in after being left unmarked at the back post inside two minutes.

Bradford then doubled their lead before the five-minute mark after an error by debutant goalkeeper Mick Michalski. The 18-year-old was dispossessed outside of his area and that gave Will Swann the simple task of rolling the ball into an empty net.

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It was a tough introduction to senior men's football for several of the Academy lads making their first starts. Whilst Michalski's error will make the headlines, he was not alone in having a difficult night.

The hosts grew into the half and Axel Henriksson created two chances for Makhtar Gueye. The forward was twice denied by Sam Walker as Rovers searched for a route back into the contest.

Dion De Neve netted his first goal for the club after a smart finish at the back post following Bradford's inability to deal with Lewis Miller's long throw.

Rovers struggled to break down their League One opponents in the second half but had a golden chance in the final five minutes.

Augustus Kargbo crossed for fellow substitute Yuki Ohashi but his header was saved onto the bar by Walker. That proved to be a result-clinching save for the Bantams, who progressed to round two.

As expected, Ismael stuck true to his word and rotated with eight changes in total. Michalski celebrated his new Rovers contract with his first-team debut whilst Igor Tyjon, Sidnei Tavares and Miller were also given their first starts in blue and white.

Ewood Park debutants Henriksson and De Neve, alongside captain for the night Sondre Tronstad, were the only survivors from Saturday's 1-0 defeat at West Brom.

Whilst many Championship clubs might be quietly pleased with an early-round exit, Rovers' runs in this competition under Jon Dahl Tomasson have shown the value. Blackburn hadn't exited the Carabao Cup at this stage since a 2-1 defeat to Morecambe back in 2021.

Rovers made the worst possible start as they trailed inside two minutes. Henriksson switched off at the back post and left Touray unmarked, who then advanced into the area to volley in Jenson Metcalfe's cross. A cracking finish from the defender but slack marking from Rovers.

Things soon went from bad to worse as a second goal went in five minutes later. It was a horror moment for Michalski on his debut as he took too long to play the ball inside his own half and was tackled, handing Swann an empty net to roll the ball into. A very tough moment for the England youth international.

Rovers were rattled and took 10 minutes to find any control in the match. As it wore on, they did did start to create chances.

Gueye was twice denied by Walker in the Bradford goal, first with a powerful strike and then low at the goalkeeper's feet, after through balls from Henriksson. In between that, De Neve fired wide after the ball broke to him in the penalty area.

Ismael's half-time team talk was aided by a goal in first-half stoppage time. De Neve latched onto the ball at the back post after Miller's long throw wasn't dealt with and he fired in his first goal for the club to reduce the deficit.

Rovers came out for the second half with renewed hope but Bradford still carried a threat on the counter-attack. Kristi Montgomery's effort from the edge of the box was the best they could muster before the hour mark.

Bradford continued to threaten on the break and forced Michalski into a smart save. Substitute Stephen Humphrys twisted and turned in the box before firing low but the Rovers goalkeeper got down well.

Todd Cantwell and Augustus Kargbo were called from the bench to try and add a spark but Rovers struggled to break down their League One opponents.

It took until the 85th minute but a golden opportunity did arrive. Kargbo's cross picked out Ohashi but his header was saved onto the bar by Walker, preserving his side's lead.

That proved to be the last real goal-mouth action of the game. It means Rovers have started the season with successive defeats for the first time since 2021.

Ismael will hope to see his side get off the mark when they host Birmingham City on Saturday.

Referee: Anthony Backhouse

Attendance: 9,855

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