Queens Park Rangers turned a narrow deficit into a 2-1 victory at Blackburn, marking their second win in three fixtures in the Sky Bet Championship. The match unfolded with Blackburn taking the initiative early in the second half, only for QPR to respond swiftly and ultimately seal the win with a decisive header late on. The outcome propelled QPR to seven points from a possible nine, positioning them fourth in the league table at this early juncture, while Blackburn’s unbeaten streak came to an abrupt halt.
The opening half was a fairly balanced affair, with both sides probing for openings but failing to convert most chances. Blackburn’s first clear opportunity arrived in the 21st minute when Ryan Alebiosu surged down the right flank and delivered a pinpoint cross to Todd Cantwell at the far post. Cantwell managed to guide a header over the bar, narrowly missing the lead.
Nine minutes later, the same duo linked up again; Alebiosu’s centre drifted wide, yet Cantwell displayed excellent technique, stepping back before unleashing a powerful shot that whistled just past the far post. QPR also had a chance to go ahead when Rumarn Burrell slipped Ilias Chair in, but Balazs Toth’s outstretched left leg denied the attempt. The first half concluded without a goal, but the intensity remained high.
As the teams headed into the break, QPR’s manager Julian Stephan praised his side’s early dominance, noting their control of possession and positional discipline. Conversely, Blackburn’s boss Tony Mowbray highlighted the competitive nature of the contest, acknowledging moments when his side had the upper hand. The second half began dramatically. In the 49th minute, Andri Gudjohnsen flicked the ball forward to Ryoya Morishita, who met it with a spectacular left‑foot volley from about 20 yards out.
The strike flew into the top corner, giving Blackburn an early lead and stunning the home crowd. The goal was a testament to Morishita’s technical skill and composure under pressure. QPR, however, were undeterred. Within two minutes, Burrell surged down the right wing and delivered a low, intelligent cross that found Paul Smyth at the near post.
Smyth’s calm finish slipped past Toth, leveling the score at 1-1. The quick response demonstrated QPR’s resilience and ability to capitalize on transitional moments.
The match continued to swing back and forth. Blackburn’s Charles produced a superb reflex save in the 53rd minute, diving low to flick away an Alebiosu cross that threatened to restore their lead. QPR’s attempts to seize the advantage persisted; Burrell’s header in the 64th minute drifted wide, and substitute Kwame Poku’s cross from the left also missed its target. Meanwhile, Ronnie Edwards forced another fine save from Toth with a curling 20‑yard effort that threatened the bottom right corner.
The decisive moment arrived in the 74th minute. After a Blackburn clearance, QPR recycled possession and set up a promising attack down the right. Tariq Lamptey, who had been delivering quality service throughout the game, sent in a superb cross that found Jimmy Dunne in the box.
Dunne rose above the defenders and powered a close‑range header into the net, restoring QPR’s lead and ultimately sealing the win. The goal underscored QPR’s superior aerial presence and their ability to exploit set‑piece opportunities. In the closing stages, Blackburn pressed for an equaliser, with Alfie Lloyd seeing a late shot blocked by QPR’s defence. Despite the pressure, QPR held firm and secured a second consecutive victory at Ewood Park, a result that will boost their confidence as they aim to maintain a strong start to the season.
Post‑match, Tony Mowbray reflected on the game, acknowledging the positives despite the loss. He praised his team’s moments of dominance and highlighted the impact of substitutes such as Glen Kamara and Kwame Poku, who added attacking impetus. Mowbray also noted the tactical challenge of managing Adam Forshaw’s limited minutes and emphasized the need for sustained performance throughout the full 90 minutes. Julian Stephan, on the other hand, expressed satisfaction with his side’s overall display.
He commended the early control and dominant positioning, while admitting that the final 20 minutes of the first half saw a dip in intensity. Stephan lauded his players’ reaction after conceding Morishita’s spectacular goal, emphasizing the swift comeback and the quality of the second‑half performance.
He suggested that, with the level of play exhibited, QPR could have added more goals to the tally. Both managers recognized the importance of squad depth, with Blackburn’s bench lacking the variety of options that QPR possessed. The match also highlighted the significance of tactical adjustments at halftime, as QPR’s substitutes made decisive contributions that altered the game’s momentum.
Overall, the encounter was a vivid illustration of the competitive nature of the Championship, where a single moment of brilliance can swing the result, but resilience and tactical acumen often determine the final outcome. QPR’s ability to bounce back from a deficit and secure a win away from home bodes well for their campaign, while Blackburn will need to regroup and address the shortcomings exposed by a well‑organized opponent.