QPR came from behind to beat Blackburn Rovers 2-1 at Ewood Park, earning a second victory in three Sky Bet Championship matches and moving up to fourth place in the early league table.
Blackburn struck first through Ryoya Morishita’s superb volley shortly after half-time, but Paul Smyth equalised within two minutes before Jimmy Dunne completed QPR’s comeback with a powerful header in the 74th minute.
The result gives Julien Stephan’s side seven points from a possible nine and extends their impressive start to the campaign. Blackburn’s unbeaten run, meanwhile, came to an end despite a committed performance from Tony Mowbray’s team.
Rovers created the first significant opportunity after 21 minutes when Ryan Alebiosu advanced down the right and delivered an inviting cross towards the far post. Todd Cantwell met it with a free header, but sent his effort over the crossbar.
Alebiosu and Cantwell combined again nine minutes later. This time Alebiosu’s delivery evaded the players in the box, allowing Cantwell to step back and strike the ball on the bounce. His effort had power but flew narrowly wide of the far post.
QPR then began to threaten. Rumarn Burrell released Ilias Chair, who appeared to have a clear run at goal, but Balazs Toth produced an excellent save with his outstretched left leg.
Toth was called into action again before the interval when Ronnie Edwards sent a curling 20-yard effort towards the bottom-right corner. The Blackburn goalkeeper stretched fully to tip the ball away.
The hosts finally made the breakthrough four minutes after the restart in spectacular fashion. Andri Gudjohnsen flicked the ball into the path of Morishita, who took control before launching a left-foot volley from 20 yards into the top corner.
QPR’s response was immediate. Burrell raced down the right and sent a low cross towards the near post, where Smyth showed composure to guide his finish beyond Toth and restore parity.
Blackburn almost regained the lead in the 53rd minute, but Charles reacted sharply to flick Alebiosu’s cross away with a low reflex save.
From that point, the visitors increasingly controlled the match. Burrell headed wide in the 64th minute, while substitute Kwame Poku was unable to turn Burrell’s cross from the left on target. Edwards also went close again, sending a powerful effort just past the post.
QPR’s pressure eventually produced a second goal with 16 minutes remaining. They kept possession after Blackburn had cleared, and Tariq Lamptey then delivered an excellent cross into the danger area. Dunne met it from close range and powered his header into the net.
Alfie Lloyd had a late shot blocked, but QPR held on comfortably to secure their second successive win at Ewood Park.
Blackburn’s effort was not in question, but Mowbray’s side lacked the same range of options from the substitutes’ bench as their opponents.
Manager reaction from Blackburn’s Tony Mowbray and QPR’s Julien Stephan was to follow.
