Andri Gudjohnsen and Dapo Afolayan both struck in the second half before Joel Piroe pulled one back to set up a nervy finish.

But Tony Mowbray’s men stood firm through five minutes of stoppage time to get over the line and return to winning ways.

Lancashire Telegraph looks at the key points from a memorable victory in the Championship

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One of Mowbray’s biggest tasks when he returned in the summer was improving the results at Ewood Park.

Rovers only won four home games in the league throughout the whole of last season, but the win against the Irons was their fifth in a matter of months.

Mowbray’s positive brand of football is perhaps better suited to the home games, although there were still moments where they had to show defensive grit up against West Ham’s quality.

The atmosphere in the second half was evidence of a set of supporters feeling connected to the man in the dugout and the players wearing the shirt. It was completely different to the mood at times last season, when the pressure to pick up points on home turf ramped up.

Skipper Todd Cantwell (Image: CameraSport - Dave Howarth)

Only Southampton have won more home games than Rovers so far this season, and only four clubs have picked up more points in front of their own supporters at this stage.

In contrast, Mowbray’s men have won one of their seven away games so far and taken six points on their travels.

If Rovers can find a way to blend their new swagger at home with last season’s resilience on the road, it would certainly stand them in good stead.

Purple patch continues

Gudjohnsen scored his 11th goal of the season – and it could have been his 12th if not for the late controversy against Stoke City several days prior.

Ten of those have come in the league, leaving him joint-second in the Golden Boot race with Cardiff’s Jack Moylan. Will Lankshear is leading the way on 13 after his big money move to Middlesbrough.

Gudjohnsen has scored ‘better’ goals, but his header against West Ham showed exactly why he has enjoyed a prolific record since his move to Ewood Park. He has a knack for getting in the right positions to make sure the chances come and then keeps his cool to put them away.

The forward’s explosive start to the campaign has shown just how important it was to tie him down to a new long-term contract earlier this year.

Now, Rovers fans will be keeping everything crossed he returns from international duty unscathed and can pick up where he left off in the Championship.

Winging it

Although Ryoya Morishita’s recent injury was a blow, Rovers’ options in the wide areas are still looking positive.

Afolayan and Jayden Fevrier impressed against West Ham, chipping in with a goal and assist respectively.

It was a full circle moment for Afolayan, who had a spell with the Irons earlier in his career. The wide man caught their eye while playing in the non-league pyramid but only made one appearance for the first team, scoring in an FA Cup tie against Doncaster.

Dapo Afolayan scored against his former club (Image: CameraSport - Dave Howarth)

Now playing in blue and white, the 29-year-old received the ball on the edge of the box and fired a pinpoint finish into the bottom corner, giving Mads Hermansen absolutely no chance.

Afolayan didn’t get many minutes last season following his move from St Pauli but has made the most of his opportunities since Mowbray’s return, already chipping in with five goals and two assists in the league.

Fevrier is another player who initially had to be patient after heading to Ewood Park, but he is now starting to reap the rewards of a regular run of games.

The former Stockport winger produced an excellent assist for Gudjohnsen’s opener, using his pace to hurt West Ham on the break before delivering an inviting cross.

Augustus Kargbo also had another positive cameo off the bench and seems to be getting stronger each week after his lengthy spell on the sidelines. Kargbo was perhaps unfortunate not to earn a penalty, but instead he was booked for diving.

It isn’t just in the wide areas where Rovers are benefitting from having players back from injury. Yuki Ohashi made a positive impact off the bench, assisting Afolayan’s goal, and the Japanese forward also had a penalty shout turned down in the latter stages.

The difference is clear compared to earlier in the season when the squad was depleted by injuries and the bench was made up of Academy prospects.

Alebiosu blow

On what was a largely positive day for Rovers, the news that Ryan Alebiosu is facing “three to four months” out of action was a real blow.

The roaming right-back has become a key member of the squad since his move from Belgium in the summer of 2025.

In his absence, it was a big test for summer signing Gady Beyuku and the 20-year-old gave a good account of himself on his full debut, despite the plethora of attacking talent in the West Ham squad.

Beyuku now has a big opportunity to nail down a regular place in the team and show why he was brought to the club.

Matty Litherland is nearing a return and the Academy graduate will provide important cover while Alebiosu is sidelined.

Lewis Miller is making positive progress in his recovery, although it will take time for the Australian international to build up his sharpness after such a serious injury.

Now, the squad will get a bit of time to refresh before the games come thick and fast again, starting with the big one at Burnley.