Queens Park Rangers secured their second victory in three matches in the Sky Bet Championship by overturning a deficit to beat Blackburn Rovers 2-1 at Ewood Park. The encounter unfolded as a tightly contested affair in the opening half, with both sides probing for openings before Blackburn broke the deadlock. Rovers took the lead in the 49th minute when Ryoya Morishita unleashed a spectacular volley that curled into the top corner from about 20 yards out, leaving QPR goalkeeper Balazs Tóth with little chance.
However, the visitors responded almost immediately; within two minutes Paul Smyth found space on the right, cut inside and calmly slotted the ball past Tóth to level the scores. The decisive moment arrived in the 74th minute when Jimmy Dunne rose above the defence and headed a well‑timed cross from Tariq Lamptey into the net, restoring QPR's lead and ultimately sealing the win.
The comeback highlighted QPR's resilience and tactical adaptability. After conceding, manager Julian Stephan urged his side to stay compact, press high and exploit the flanks. The strategy paid off as the team generated several quality chances in the second half.
Early in the first period, Blackburn had created a promising opening when Ryan Alebiosu surged down the right wing, delivering a pinpoint cross to Todd Cantwell at the far post. Cantwell headed the ball over the bar, narrowly missing a chance to put the visitors ahead.
Nine minutes later Alebiosu's centre was mis‑hit, but Cantwell displayed superb technique by stepping back and striking a powerful effort that whistled past the far post, further testing the Rovers' defence. Both sides had moments of brilliance.
Blackburn's Andri Gudjohnsen produced a clever flick‑on that found Morishita, whose left‑foot volley from 20 yards struck the top corner, a goal that many commentators described as "astonishing" for its precision and power. QPR, however, demonstrated their attacking depth. After the equaliser, Burrell sprinted down the right and delivered a low, intelligent cross that met Smyth at the near post; Smyth's first‑time finish slipped under Tóth's outstretched leg, restoring parity. Later, a superb reflex save from Charles, QPR's goalkeeper, denied Blackburn a quick equaliser when he dived low to tip away Alebiosu's cross.
The match also featured several near‑misses that underscored the fine margins. Burrell's header in the 64th minute drifted wide, while substitute Kwame Poku's cross from the left also missed the target. Ronnie Edwards, another QPR attacker, struck a piledriver that rattled the post but failed to find the net.
In the closing stages, QPR's persistence paid dividends: after a clearance, the ball was quickly recycled to Lamptey, whose expertly delivered cross found Dunne unmarked in the box. Dunne met it with a powerful header, sending the ball home from close range and giving QPR a two‑goal cushion.
Blackburn's manager Tony Mowbray reflected on the defeat, acknowledging the positives despite the loss. He praised his team's effort, noting that they competed well against a quality opponent and had periods of dominance. Mowbray highlighted the impact of his substitutes, especially Glen Kamara and Kwame Poku, who injected energy and attacking intent. He also admitted that the team had anticipated limited minutes for Adam Forshaw, which influenced their tactical setup.
Overall, Mowbray expressed pride in his side's performance, emphasizing the importance of maintaining intensity for the full 90 minutes. Julian Stephan, QPR's head coach, lauded his team's early dominance and the swift reaction after conceding. He admitted that the last 20 minutes of the first half saw a dip in intensity and quality, which allowed Blackburn to score. Nevertheless, he was pleased with the players' mental response, describing the second‑half comeback as a testament to their character.
Stephan believed the team deserved more goals, suggesting that they could have scored three or four times given the chances created. Statistically, the win moved QPR to seven points from a possible nine, placing them fourth in the league table at this early stage of the season.
Blackburn's unbeaten run was snapped, and their bench depth was exposed compared to QPR's more varied options. The match also featured a number of noteworthy individual performances: Morishita's volley, Smyth's composure, Dunne's aerial prowess, and Lamptey's crossing ability all stood out. Beyond the on‑field action, the fixture was broadcast on Sky Sports, with highlights available for free online. Fans were encouraged to watch the Championship highlights on their phones and to engage with the league's promotional offers, such as the Super 6 competition offering a chance to win £250,000.
The atmosphere at Ewood Park remained lively despite the result, with both sets of supporters vocal throughout the 90 minutes. In summary, QPR's ability to overturn a deficit against a resilient Blackburn side showcased their growing confidence and tactical flexibility. The victory not only added three points to their tally but also reinforced their position among the league's early frontrunners.
Blackburn, meanwhile, will look to regroup, address their bench limitations, and aim to bounce back in their next fixture, hoping to restore the momentum that had carried them through the first part of the season.