Referee Craig Pawson found himself in the spotlight as his controversial calls ruined Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray's return to Ewood Park. With no VAR to help him in the Championship, Premier League official Mr Pawson failed to spot a clear penalty for the Black Cats when Jack Clarke was tripped by Ryan Hedges, and just 22 seconds later Chilean goal machine Ben Brereton Diaz fired Blackburn Rovers in front with a stunning finish just after the half-hour.
And Blackburn's second goal just after half-time highlighted another error from the officials - although this time it was one of Pawson's assistants at fault - as replays showed Scott Wharton was offside as he glanced home Hedges' free-kick. Those key decisions made all the difference on the night, as Mowbray returned to the club he managed for five-and-a-half years before leaving in the summer.
Sunderland's best chance fell to Danny Batth in the second half, but he saw his close-range header kept out by Thomas Kaminsky. And right at the death Hedges almost added a third with a spectacular 40-yard effort which hit the woodwork but stayed out.
