Queens Park Rangers secured their second victory in three fixtures in the Sky Bet Championship by overturning a deficit to defeat Blackburn Rovers 2-1 at Ewood Park. The match began with a balanced first half, but the visitors took the lead in the 49th minute when Ryoya Morishita unleashed a spectacular volley that found the top corner.
Not to be outdone, QPR responded swiftly, with Paul Smyth calmly slotting home a low cross just two minutes later. The decisive moment arrived in the 74th minute when Jimmy Dunne rose above the defence to head a powerful ball into the net, sealing the comeback. Julian Stephan’s side displayed admirable resilience, bouncing back from the setback to collect seven points out of a possible nine, a haul that currently places them fourth in the early league table.
Blackburn’s unbeaten streak was snapped, and while their effort was commendable, Tony Mowbray’s men lacked the depth and variety of options on the bench that their opponents enjoyed. The opening phases of the game saw both teams create chances. In the 21st minute, Rovers earned their first clear opportunity when Ryan Alebiosu surged down the right flank and delivered a perfect cross to Todd Cantwell at the far post.
Cantwell’s header, however, drifted over the bar. Nine minutes later, the same duo combined again; Alebiosu’s centre missed everyone, but Cantwell displayed excellent technique, stepping back before striking a volley that rattled the far post. QPR could have taken the lead earlier when Rumarn Burrell slipped a pass to Ilias Chair, only for Balazs Toth’s outstretched left leg to block the attempt. As the half‑time whistle approached, Ronnie Edwards forced another fine save from Toth, who stretched fully to tip away a curling 20‑yard shot aimed for the bottom right corner.
The second half began dramatically. Andri Gudjohnsen’s flick‑on found Morishita, who controlled the ball before unleashing an astonishing left‑foot volley from about 20 yards that rocketed into the top corner, putting Blackburn ahead.
QPR’s reaction was immediate. Burrell sprinted down the right wing and delivered an intelligent low cross that met Smyth at the near post; Smyth guided the ball past Toth, equalising for the visitors. Blackburn threatened to retake the lead in the 53rd minute when Charles made a superb reflex save, diving low to flick away an Alebiosu cross. Yet QPR continued to dominate possession and create chances.
Burrell’s header in the 64th minute drifted wide, and substitute Kwame Poku’s cross from the left also missed its target, while Edwards unleashed a piledriver that clanged off the post. The decisive breakthrough came with 16 minutes remaining. After a clearance, QPR recycled the ball and Tariq Lamptey delivered a superb cross that found Dunne unmarked in the box. Dunne powered a close‑range header into the net, restoring QPR’s lead.
A late effort from Blackburn’s Alfie Lloyd was blocked, and the visitors comfortably saw out the match, clinching a second consecutive win at Ewood Park. Post‑match, Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray reflected on the performance: "There are many positives. We faced a strong side and, honestly, we managed them well. The game was tight, with periods where we dominated and others where they had the better moments.
The substitutions we made, like Glen Kamara and Kwame Poku, added attacking flair and were clever choices. We knew Adam Forshaw would only last an hour, so we prepared for that. In the dressing room I highlighted the positives – if we can sustain the intensity we showed in the first 60 minutes for the full 90, we’ll be fine. The last 20 minutes were tough, especially the scoring and the euphoria that followed.
At half‑time we discussed getting a goal and securing at least a 1‑0 win, but their subs made a difference, which is not a criticism of those we started with. Overall, I’m proud of how we performed for the majority of the game." QPR manager Julien Stephan praised his team’s start and resilience: "We began well. The first 15‑20 minutes we were in control, playing good football with solid positioning and dominance.
I wasn’t happy with the final 20 minutes of the first half; our quality and intensity dropped. We conceded a top‑class goal early in the second half, but I loved the players' reaction. Not only did we score quickly, but the way we approached the rest of the half was impressive. The management and the quality on the pitch were excellent.
We scored twice, but we could have added another two or three goals." The win reinforces QPR’s early‑season momentum and highlights their capacity to respond under pressure, while Blackburn will need to regroup and address the bench depth issues that cost them valuable points. The match also provided fans with exciting moments, from spectacular long‑range volleys to decisive headers, underscoring the entertainment value of the Championship. For those following the league, the result moves QPR closer to the promotion places, while Blackburn must look to bounce back quickly to keep pace in the tightly contested table. The game exemplified the unpredictable nature of football, where a single goal can shift momentum, and teams must stay vigilant for the entire ninety minutes.
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