QPR Mount Second-Half Comeback to Defeat Blackburn Rovers 2-1 at Ewood Park

Dunne Completes Londoners' Turnaround in Lancashire

Queens Park Rangers climbed into fourth place in the Sky Bet Championship after coming from behind to secure a 2-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park. A thunderous volley from Ryoya Morishita put the hosts ahead shortly after the interval, but quick-fire responses from Paul Smyth and Jimmy Dunne preserved the visitors' strong early-season momentum.

First-Half Deadlock at Ewood Park

The opening forty-five minutes settled into a tight, cagey contest. Blackburn engineered the first clear opening in the 21st minute when full-back Ryan Alebiosu advanced down the right flank and picked out Todd Cantwell at the far post, though the midfielder could only steer his header over the crossbar. Nine minutes later, the same combination nearly broke the deadlock when Cantwell adjusted his footing on the bounce to drill a low effort inches wide of the upright.

QPR responded with direct thrusts through the central channels. Rumarn Burrell slipped Ilias Chair behind the defensive line, but Blackburn goalkeeper Balazs Toth intervened with an outstretched boot. Toth was called into action again before the whistle, diving at full stretch to turn away Ronnie Edwards' curling 20-yard drive to ensure the teams entered the break scoreless.

Second-Half Surge: Smyth and Dunne Strike

The match ignited four minutes into the second half. Following a flick-on from Andri Gudjohnsen, Ryoya Morishita unleashed an exquisite 20-yard left-footed volley into the top corner in the 49th minute to hand Rovers the advantage.

However, the lead evaporated within 120 seconds. Burrell exploited space down the right wing and delivered a low cross into the six-yard box, where Paul Smyth applied an assured near-post finish. Rovers almost reclaimed the lead in the 53rd minute, but QPR goalkeeper Charles produced a reflex save to deny an Alebiosu delivery.

Julien Stephan's side steadily seized territorial control as the second half progressed. After Burrell, substitute Kwame Poku, and Edwards all threatened, QPR capitalized on sustained pressure in the 74th minute. Following an uncleared set-piece, Tariq Lamptey delivered a cross into the danger zone for Jimmy Dunne, who powered a header past Toth from close range to seal the 2-1 result.

Tactical Fallout and Standings Impact

The victory lifts QPR to seven points from their opening three fixtures under Julien Stephan, showing marked resilience after falling behind away from home. For Tony Mowbray's Blackburn, the defeat halts their unbeaten start to the league campaign, highlighting a disparity in depth as Rovers struggled to match the visitors' second-half bench adjustments once the defensive lines fractured under sustained wide deliveries.