West Bromwich Albion edged a five-goal thriller against Blackburn Rovers, winning 3-2 at The Hawthorns in the EFL Championship on 17 October 2026 after a late Karlan Grant goal settled an end-to-end contest.

The match report will show five goals, but the story was one of momentum swings, attacking width and defensive vulnerability. West Brom twice led, Blackburn twice fought back, and the hosts eventually found the winning moment in the closing stages to claim a valuable three points in front of their home support.

Match overview: five-goal spectacle at The Hawthorns

West Brom started with purpose and took an early lead when Josh Maja finished a flowing move. Blackburn responded well, pressing higher and finding space in behind the West Brom defence. Their equaliser arrived through Tyrhys Dolan, whose direct running caused problems throughout the first half.

The hosts restored their advantage before the break when Tom Fellows finished from a wide position, but Blackburn refused to go away. Yuki Ohashi levelled the game in the second half, setting up a tense final period. With the contest seemingly heading for a draw, Karlan Grant produced the decisive moment, arriving at the back post to secure the win.

Key moments

• 12th minute: Josh Maja opened the scoring with a composed finish after West Brom worked the ball into the box.
• 28th minute: Tyrhys Dolan equalised for Blackburn with a low strike across the goalkeeper.
• 41st minute: Tom Fellows restored West Brom’s lead with a well-taken effort from the right side.
• 67th minute: Yuki Ohashi made it 2-2, finishing a swift Blackburn counter-attack.
• 84th minute: Karlan Grant scored the winner, turning in a cross at the back post to send The Hawthorns into celebration.

Tactical story: width, transitions and defensive nerves

West Brom’s attacking plan relied heavily on getting the ball wide and attacking the penalty area with numbers. Fellows and Grant were constant outlets, and Maja’s movement through the middle gave Blackburn’s centre-backs a difficult evening. The hosts created the better chances overall, but their defensive transitions allowed Blackburn to stay in the game.

Blackburn were dangerous whenever they won the ball in midfield. Dolan’s pace and directness stretched the West Brom back line, while Ohashi’s movement in the box made him a constant threat. The visitors will be frustrated by the goals they conceded, particularly the late winner, but their attacking display showed why they remain a dangerous side on the road.

Standout players

Karlan Grant was the match-winner and a constant menace on the flank, while Tom Fellows and Josh Maja also made decisive contributions in the final third. For Blackburn, Tyrhys Dolan was their brightest attacking player and Yuki Ohashi took his goal well. The difference in the end was West Brom’s ability to find one more moment of quality in a game that swung both ways.

Championship impact

The three points strengthen West Brom’s position in the Championship standings and give them momentum in the race for promotion. Winning a game in which they conceded twice will please the coaching staff, even if the defensive performance will need attention. Blackburn leave with nothing despite scoring twice, a harsh outcome in an entertaining contest. In a division where goal difference and fine margins matter, West Brom’s late winner could prove to be one of the more significant results of the weekend.