Gudjohnson moved onto ten goals from just 11 starts when he evaded Konstantinos Mavropanos and headed in the opener just before the hour.

Dark day for Konstantinos Mavropanos and West Ham United in Blackburn loss

Mavropanos struggled at Ewood Park. He did not fare any better in Cardiff three days earlier. Jack Moylan rifled in a 39-minute hat-trick on the Greek’s first game back from injury. Funnily enough, Moylan is level with Gudjohnsen on ten goals, three behind Middlesbrough’s Will Lankshear.

For Rovers boss Tony Mowbray, that his red-hot goal poacher got the better of a man many consider to be the best centre-back in the division – though those who have watched Mavropanos more closely may have something to say about that – is quite the achievement.

“Really happy for him. It wasn’t an easy game,” Mowbray beamed. “Mavropanos is a monster of a man – a man mountain. To keep battering away against that all day, and then to get his goal was great.”

The funny thing is, Mavropanos actually won ten out of ten duels at Ewood Park. But this is where stats can be a little misleading. Had he actually engaged Gudjohnsen in a ‘duel’, West Ham might not have fallen 1-0 down.

Instead, he and Joel Veltman left the Icelander free inside the box. Mavropanos actually ended up behind Hermansen in the goal mouth when Gudjohnsen’s header hit the net.

Tony Mowbray delighted after ‘special day’ for the Rovers

Mavropanos’ centre-back partner Max Kilman had an afternoon to forget as well. Scott Parker felt that Kilman was fouled in the build-up to Blackburn’s crucial second goal; Hammers graduate Dapo Afolayan fired past Mads Hermansen from the edge of the area seconds after Kilman had been clattered by Yuki Ohashi.

For Mowbray, though, the relentless work ethic of his team – epitomised by Ohashi – plus their searing counter-attacking pace demonstrated by Jayden Fevrier’s assist for Gudjohnsen was key to the win.

“Really good. I think the main thing for me is for the people who come and support our team. Just for them to celebrate and enjoy seeing a winning team out there today was special,” added the former Celtic, West Brom and Sunderland manager; Mowbray’s pre-match confidence was certainly not misplaced.

“For the players, it was amazing as well. You’ve got to make them believe that they can win against a top team. I thought we always carried a threat even though they had a lot of possession. I thought our threat on the transition was really good, and we got it in some good areas.

“It’s amazing. A special day for us.”

West Ham are now doomed to spend the international break outside of the extended play-off positions. There are only two points separating the Hammers in ninth and Blackburn in 13th.