Blackburn’s unbeaten start continues with comfortable victory over 10-man QPR

Posted Saturday, September 28, 2024 by PA

Lewis Travis scored on his 200th career league start as Blackburn defeated 10-man QPR 2-0 to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

Despite the five-point gap between these sides at the start of the day, there wasn’t much to separate them in the first half, with QPR spurning the best chance through Paul Smyth.

But the complexion of the game changed in first-half stoppage time when Jonathan Varane was dismissed for a reckless tackle.

It was all the encouragement Blackburn needed as John Eustace’s men came out gunning for QPR in the second half and Travis’ deflected strike seven minutes after the restart set them on their way.

Danny Batth’s first for the club just after the hour settled matters and continued Blackburn’s perfect start to the season.

QPR should have gone ahead in the seventh minute when Koki Saito sent in a wonderful cross from the left but the onrushing Smyth volleyed wide with the goal gaping.

Andi Weimann forced Paul Nardi into a smart low save soon after but other than that, the visitors looked comfortable.

That changed on the stroke of half-time with a moment of madness from Varane who, in a desperate attempt to retain possession, lunged in on Batth and caught his ankle, giving referee Craig Pawson no alternative but to show a straight red card.

Blackburn made their move, bringing on Todd Cantwell for the second half for Harry Pickering and he was immediately into the action, forcing a sprawling save from Nardi who then repelled Tyrhys Dolan’s rebound and sprung back to his feet to brilliantly palm the ball away from goal before Cantwell’s follow-up was somehow kept out.

QPR’s resistance was broken in the 53rd minute though as Travis found space on the edge of the area and his shot took a decisive deflection from Steve Cook to deceive Nardi.

Rovers seemed intent on bolstering their impressive goal tally for the season further and doubled their lead 11 minutes later. Cantwell was influential, lifting in a sumptuous cross to the back post that Batth turned in from close range.

Summer signing Cantwell gave Rovers fans a glimpse of what he can offer, again producing a delicate touch to play Hedges in, whose poked shot was diverted wide by Nardi.

Smyth thought he’d pulled one back in the 74th minute when dispossessing Batth and lashing home but was adjudged to have fouled the defender, but the visitors did well to prevent further damage at the other end, with Nardi parrying Dolan’s powerful shot.

Batth saw a late free header saved as the home side ran out comfortable winners.