QPR hit back to win at Blackburn

Blackburn Rovers vs Queens Park Rangers. Sky Bet Championship.

Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship match between Blackburn Rovers and Queens Park Rangers at Ewood Park on Saturday; Paul Smyth and Jimmy Dunne score as Julien Stephan's side earn second-half comeback win.

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QPR made it two wins from three in the Sky Bet Championship as they came from behind to secure a 2-1 win at Blackburn.

After an even first half, Rovers took a 49th-minute lead through Ryoya Morishita's spectacular volley, but the visitors hit back within two minutes through Paul Smyth's composed finish and they deservedly completed the turnaround in the 74th minute through Jimmy Dunne's powerful header.

Julian Stephan's side showed impressive character to recover from that setback and sit with seven points from a possible nine, which moves them fourth in the league at this early stage.

Blackburn's own unbeaten run came to an end and though the effort could never be questioned, Tony Mowbray's men simply lacked the depth of options off the bench compared to their opponents.

Despite QPR's accomplished start, Rovers carved out the first clear opening in the 21st minute when Ryan Alebiosu raided down the right. His cross was perfect for Todd Cantwell at the back post but he guided his free header over the bar.

The same two players combined nine minutes later to go even closer when Alebiosu's centre missed everybody and Cantwell showed terrific technique to step back before unleashing an effort on the bounce that whistled just past the far post.

QPR should have gone ahead when Rumarn Burrell slipped Ilias Chair in, only for Balazs Toth's outstretched left leg to deny him.

Ronnie Edwards forced another fine save from Toth as the break approached, the goalkeeper going full-stretch to tip away the curling 20-yard shot destined for the bottom right corner.

Blackburn broke the deadlock in stunning fashion at the start of the second half when Andri Gudjohnsen's flick-on found Morishita, who controlled and let fly with an astonishing left-foot volley that flew into the top corner from 20 yards.

QPR's response was swift as Burrell raced down the right and delivered an intelligent low cross that found Smyth at the near post, who expertly guided the ball beyond Toth.

A superb reflex save from Charles prevented Rovers regaining the lead in the 53rd minute when he got down low to flick Alebiosu's cross away.

But from there, QPR exerted their dominance as Burrell glanced a 64th-minute header wide and further chances came and went when substitute Kwame Poku directed Burrell's left-wing cross wide, and Edwards flashed another piledriver past the post.

Their pressure deservedly told 16 minutes from the end when QPR recycled the ball following a clearance and Tariq Lamptey's superb cross put the ball on a plate for Dunne to power his header home from close range.

Alfie Lloyd saw a late shot blocked but QPR eased to a second consecutive win at Ewood Park.

"I think there's lots of positives. We played against a good team. I thought we managed them pretty well to be honest. It was a really tight game.

"We had spells where we were pretty dominant and they had spells where they had moments in the game.

"What it feels like standing here now is that they made changes that affected them positively. (Glen) Kamara, Poku, really attacking, clever, good footballers.

"It was difficult for us. We always knew (Adam) Forshaw would only play an hour today.

"I've said to them in the dressing room (there are) lots and lots of positives. If we can maintain for 90 minutes the performance level in the first 60, we'll be OK.

"It was tough, that last 20 minutes of the game. The scoring, and euphoria of that.

"We talked at half-time about getting a goal and winning the game at least 1-0. But as I say, their subs did make a difference. That's not a slight on the ones we brought on.

"I felt pretty proud of the way we performed in the vast majority of the game."

"I think we started well. The first 15-20 minutes, it was under control. We played good football, good position, (were) quite dominant on the pitch.

"We conceded a top, top goal, outstanding goal at the beginning of the second half. I enjoyed a lot the reaction of the players after. Not only because we scored quickly but the way we played this second half.

"Top management, top quality. I think we were very dominant on the pitch. We scored two times but we should have scored three or four times."