Blackburn hosted QPR in the third round of the Championship on Saturday. The visitors secured a narrow 2:1 victory to extend their unbeaten run. It was a result that highlighted the gap between the fourth-place side and their hosts.
The game settled into a rhythm after the interval. Ryoya Morishita found the net for QPR in the 49th minute, breaking the deadlock. Paul Smyth added a second two minutes later, capitalising on a defensive lapse. By then, Blackburn were suddenly chasing the game, and the momentum had shifted decisively.
They tried to respond, but the visitors held firm. Jimmy Dunne scored a consolation goal for Blackburn in the 74th minute, keeping the home crowd on their feet. To be fair, QPR managed the game well, slowing the tempo when necessary. The hosts found a way back into the contest, but Paul Smyth had already been withdrawn in the 64th minute.
Nicolas Madsen and Dennis Cirkin exchanged places at half-time, but the adjustment yielded little. Adam Forshaw and Richard Kone came on in the 57th minute, yet the ball rarely travelled into dangerous areas. Later, Blackburn brought on four players in the 81st minute in a desperate bid to salvage a point.
And here's the thing, the statistics do not match the intensity. Blackburn dominated possession with 55 per cent and launched 114 attacks, but only registered two shots on target. QPR were far more clinical, recording six shots on target against a combined expected goals total of 1.34. The home side wasted their opportunities, while the visitors made them count. The disparity between shots and chances created explained the final score.
The points move QPR into fourth place with seven points from three matches. They are on a good run, having won two and drawn one. Blackburn remain tenth with four points, still searching for consistency after recent defeats.
