Blackburn claimed a crucial victory against QPR on Saturday.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni marked his return from suspension with the opening goal in Blackburn Rovers thrilling 3-2 victory over Queens Park Rangers.
Rovers stormed to a 3-0 lead at half time, courtesy of goals by the aforementioned Yakubu, Steven Nzonzi and a Nedum Onouha own goal but were lucky not to be punished by a heroic Hoops fight back led by a Jamie Mackie double.
Heavily criticized manager Steve Kean will be grateful of the 3 points after their capitulation to Arsenal in last week’s 7-1 embarrassment. Blackburn were without their normal central defence pairing of Gael Givet (suspended) and Chris Samba (injured) so Scott Dann and former QPR player, Bradley Orr started in their place.
Rangers however, have still not appeared to have vindicated their decision to sack Neil Warnock, as Mark Hughes’ side have only a 3-1 victory over Wigan Athletic and four Premier League points since his appointment in mid-January and are only avoiding the relegation zone on goal difference.
Rampant Rovers
A lapse in concentration from Grant Hanley almost saw QPR take the lead. Under pressure from Armand Traore, the young Scottish player inexplicably crossed a ball into his own box to the feet of Rangers striker Bobby Zamora, whose pass was cut out before it could be met by the waiting Shaun Wright-Phillips.
It was a rare attack from QPR in the first half, who only troubled Paul Robinson’s goal twice in the opening 45 minutes, through Traore and Adel Taarabt. It looked as though Rangers were missing the pace Djibril Cisse, suspended after last week’s clash with Wolves.
With just over quarter of an hour gone, Yakubu’s name was on the score sheet. Robinson’s huge punt upfield was flicked on by Nzonzi to the striker, who still had plenty to do when he recieved the ball, but his quick turn bamboozled Anton Ferdinand and the Nigerian’s powerful finish flew passed Paddy Kenny.
Firepower
It wasn’t long until Rovers were 2-0 up following a quick counter attack. Nzonzi collected Mauro Formica’s header before playing in Junior Hoilett, in acres of space, to run at the Rangers defence. His return to Nzonzi was met with a powerful, first time drive that Kenny had no chance of saving.
Consistent Rovers pressure yielded a third in first half injury time, again a route one finish. Morten Gamst Pedersen’s long free-kick was met by a looping Scott Dann header that Junior Hoilett smashed goalwards. The shot hit both Onouha and the underside of the crossbar before nestling in the back of the net.
Rovers started the second half brightly in an attempt to kill off the game. Yakubu, with a quite audacious chip rattled the crossbar, Kenny once again well beaten. It was an effort from a player in rich form, leading Rovers scoring charts with 15 goals this season.
QPR Fight-back
Onuoha had a chance to redeem his earlier own goal, but his was shot comfortably saved by Robinson after his marauding run was spotted by Taarabt’s precise pass. The effort came after Nzonzi’s loose pass was intercepted, complacency that would almost cost them.
Taye Taiwo then provided an assist for substitute Jamie Mackie. Taiwo’s ball across the box allowed Mackie, ghosting in between the two centre halves, to bury the ball into the back of the net. Taarabt also had chances, an effort flew over the bar with a shot outside the box and a powerful attempt saved by Robinson showed that QPR definitely had some fight left in them.
Mackie scored a second with an excellent finish in the top corner after wriggling between Blacburn’s increasingly worried defenders but it came too late for Rangers whose abject first half performance was to blame for their defeat. Steve Kean appeared to be fuming when a game that looked comfortably won in the first half, ended with a nervy and anxious final whistle.
Manager Reactions
Steve Kean was happy to return to winning ways after the abject performance against Arsenal.
“We felt we let ourselves down in the Arsenal game and we’ve been working really hard in training on the defensive side and in the first half we were exceptional.”
On their poor second half showing Kean added, “I felt we had a wobble but we got there in the end.”
Hughes was unhappy with QPR’s poor first half display.
“It was unnacceptable and not what we anticipated.
“But the guys came out and understand exactly what I expected of them and had a go and showed real desire.”
Team line-ups
Blackburn Rovers: Robinson, Olsson, Dann, Orr, Hanley, Formica (Modeste 66), Pedersen, Nzonzi, Lowe, Hoilett (Henley 50), Yakubu (Goodwillie 90)
Subs not used: Bunn, Petrovic, Vukcevic, Rochina
Goal Scorers: Yakubu 15′, Nzonzi 23′, Onouha (og) 45′
Queens Park Rangers: Kenny, Hall (Gabbidon 90), Traore, Taiwo, Ferdinand, Onuoha, Taarabt, Buzsaky (Mackie 66), Barton, Wright-Phillips, Zamora
Subs not used: Cerny, Hill, Derry, Bothroyd, Smith
Goal Scorers: Mackie 71′, 90′
Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 20, 252
image source: goal.com, photograph: Getty Images
