Blackburn 1-2 West Brom
- Published
Odemwingie cut in from the right and curled in a superb left-foot strike
A last-gasp goal from Peter Odemwingie earned West Brom a crucial win over Blackburn Rovers and piled the pressure back on Rovers boss Steve Kean.
James Morrison gave the visitors a well-deserved lead with a fine volley which gave Paul Robinson no chance.
Rovers hit back when Scott Dann scored from close range.
But Odemwingie fired home from the edge of the box after 89 minutes to leave Rovers second from bottom with only two Premier League wins this season.
'Fighter' Kean vows to battle on
Rovers have won only seven games since Kean took charge 12 months ago and after celebrating his first anniversary during the week, speculation about his future is once again increasing.
Unhappy fans had promised to postpone their protests for the next two matches ahead of the game but when Morrison scored the anti-Kean T-shirts came out, and boos rang out following the winner.
Roy Hodgson knows all about the pressure Kean is under. He was sacked as manager of Blackburn in 1998 just a season after guiding Rovers into Europe, but he enjoyed a welcome return as his side moved further clear of the relegation zone.
West Brom dominated possession in the opening period and should have taken the lead when Odemwingie rose highest to get on the end of an excellent cross from the left by Chris Brunt, but the Nigerian striker glanced his header wide.
Blackburn's first opportunity arrived immediately afterwards as Jason Lowe embarked on a good run, only to scuff his shot from the edge of the box.
The effective Yakubu, who has scored eight goals in his last eight games, reacted quickly, swivelling to try to divert the ball beyond Ben Foster, but the keeper was up to the task.
Despite dominating possession and looking promising going forward, it was easy to see why the Baggies had scored only 14 goals going into the game.
Their poor final touch and bad decisions in the last third of the pitch almost proved costly when the best chance of the first half fell to Blackburn.
Paul Scharner conceded a needless free-kick just outside the area, which earned him a yellow card. Morten Gamst Pedersen stepped up and struck a fierce curling effort which Foster tipped over the bar.
The opening goal was worth waiting for when it finally came just after the restart. Blackburn could only half clear a corner from the right and Morrison hit a superb volley from just outside the penalty area, giving Robinson no chance.
Rovers resorted to route one football as they tried to get back on level terms and it paid off when Dann equalised from close range.
Robinson's long free-kick was met by Christopher Samba and his cushioned header was steered home by the unmarked Dann.
The goal should have calmed the home side down but instead they were almost immediately on the back foot as the visitors continued to dominate.
Hodgson savours 'wonderful goals'
With time ebbing away Morrison again went close for Hodgson's side when he hit a rasping drive from the edge of the box which Robinson could only parry.
Rovers did not learn their lesson and with just two minutes to go they were made to pay when Odemwingie scored only his third goal of the season.
The striker was given too much space as he cut in from the right and hit a curling effort into the left-hand corner.
As West Brom celebrated the boos rung out at Ewood Park and Rovers' 10th defeat of the season means Tuesday's visit of bottom side Bolton is even more important.