Blackburn 3-2 QPR: Hosts hold on despite late comeback to secure priceless three points in relegation dogfight

A sublime first-half display was enough for Blackburn Rovers as they secured an important 3-2 win against QPR to drag their opponents well and truly into a relegation fight.

A quick-fire first-half double from Yakubu and Steven N’Zonzi had the visitors, who simply hadn’t got going, shell-shocked and with the last kick of the first-half Junior Hoilett’s effort took a wicked deflection to give the visitors a mountain to climb.

Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game

Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets!

Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25

Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200

Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20!

Mark Hughes would have been furious with what he saw from his side in the first-half and despite a much improved second period Jamie Mackie’s brace turned out to not be enough as their poor form continued under their new manager.

Blackburn made four changes to the side that were thrashed 7-1 by Arsenal with two enforced as Grant Hanley came in for the suspended Gael Givet while Mauro Formica replaced David Dunn. Bradley Orr started in defence to make his full debut against his former club and Yakubu started up front once again following his three-match suspension.

The visitors made two changes from their defeat to Wolves and with Djibril Cisse suspended Armand Traore came into the midfield while Fitz Hall replaced the injured Luke Young.

It wasn’t long before Rovers doubled their advantage but this time it was through a far less likely scorer in the rather large shape of N’Zonzi in the 23rd minute. The visitors were wide open at the back and Martin Olsson was awarded too much time in the penalty area as he drove towards goal before cutting back to N’Zonzi who smashed the ball past a helpless Paddy Kenny.

In what was the final action of the first half Blackburn scored once more to have the game all but won by the break after a deflected effort from Junior Hoilett looped into the far corner. The Canadian was completely unmarked at the far post and as the ball fell to Hoilett he struck it first time. The ball seemed to be going straight to Paddy Kenny but his shot took a wicked deflection off Onuoha to leave the keeper rooted to the spot.

The second-half started as the first began with Blackburn in the ascendency and they almost added to their lead through the most audacious of efforts from Yakubu. Morten Gamst Pedersen tried an effort from 30-yards that was sliced completely but it fell to Yakubu on the edge of the area who showed real instinct turning and chipping goalwards. His effort had Paddy Kenny beaten but fortunately for QPR it hit the bar.

The visitors had struggled to find any openings on the Blackburn goal until midway through the second-half though luckily for Blackburn the chance fell to Nedum Onuoha. Taarabt picked up a loose ball in midfield and played a perfect through ball to Onuoha who had made a surging run but his side-footed effort was comfortably saved by Robinson.

However, the visitors were much improved in the second period and got one back through substitute Jamie Mackie. Taye Taiwo was allowed so much space on the left-hand side and walked into the Blackburn area before playing the most simple of square balls for Mackie who smashed it in to give his side a lifeline.

With time running out Mackie scored again to set up a dramatic final few minutes but it was too little too late for Mark Hughes’ men who now find themselves well and truly engaged in a relegation fight.

QPR failed to register another chance of note and while Blackburn are still searching for their first clean sheet of the season they were happy to take home all three points that could prove vital in their bid to stay in the Premier League.