Emmanuel Dennis sees red as Blackburn claim vital point against Norwich City

It wasn’t a pleasant home debut in the EFL Championship Blackburn were hoping for as Super Eagles striker, Emmanuel Dennis, was sent off against Norwich City, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 27-year-old versatile attacker joined Rovers on a six-month loan from Nottingham Forest, after failing to feature for the Reds in over a year.

Since moving to Ewood Park, he’s been largely a fringe player, as he continues to continue his journey of a return to full fitness. However, his home debut lasted less than thirty minutes as he was given his marching orders in front of the home fans.

Blackburn Rovers forward Emmanuel Dennis 42 during the FA Cup match between Blackburn Rovers and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Ewood Park, Blackburn, England on 9 February 2025. [Photo Credit/ Imago].

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Chances were few and far between for both sides on a warm afternoon in Blackburn, and Valerien Ismael, who recently took over the coaching reins with Rovers, sent Dennis on, hoping the Nigerian would create something dangerous in attack. That he did, but for all the wrong reasons.

The former Club Brugge man was sent on in the 62nd minute, and was given a yellow card for a foul on Norwich’s Benjamin Chrisene five minutes later.

Toti Gomes and Emmanuel Dennis battle for possession during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Blackburn Rovers and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Ewood Park in Blackburn, England, on February 9, 2025. [Photo Credit/ Imago].

Dennis was given his marching orders in the 85th minute for another foul on Chrisene. A low cross was floated into the box and the Nigerian, in an attempt to hit the ball into the back, crashed into the England left-back.

Referee Leigh Boughty immediately put his hands into his back pocket to give the former FC Koln attacker a second yellow card, equating to a red. It is the second time Dennis has been sent off against Norwich, his first during his time at Watford.

Emmanuel Dennis left and Darnell Furlong in action during the Sky Bet Championship match at The Hawthorns, West Bromwich. Picture date: Monday April 1, 2024. [Photo Credit/ Imago].
Croatian youngster, Ante Crnac, broke the deadlock for Norwich in the 90th minute, but 10-man Blackburn fought back, and stole a point in the 96th minute, courtesy of an Andreas Weimann strike.

 

Blackburn are now 7th on the EFL Championship table, level on points with West Bromwich Albion who occupy sixth place.

Adefolahan Guerreiro

Adefolahan is a multilingual journalist and writer at Soccernet Nigeria. With a track record of involvement in College sports, Adefolahan is focused on crafting engaging football content and utilising his language skills and extensive sports knowledge to enhance content accessibility for a global audience. He has interviewed Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.

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