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Blackburn Rovers maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a 2-0 victory over the 10-man Queens Park Rangers at Ewood Park. They once again proved their potency up front and exposed another tactical miscalculation on the visitors' part: it was to be compounded at a vitally important point in the match by a red card. The two teams hesitantly ventured into their opponents' cages, but QPR was first to have a proper shot at the target. As early as the seventh minute, Koki Saito created an excellent cross that Paul Smyth chased from left.
It proved to be an expensive error on the part of QPR because Smyth volleyed it wide when easy was the way in. Despite the initial jitters, Blackburn steadied themselves to take advantage of their home comfort. Just before half-time, both teams were struggling so much on the ball. QPR went into moments of great promise with no way of converting them on the scoresheet. Andi Weimann managed to test Blackburn's goalkeeper Paul Nardi with a low shot that he comfortably saved, and Blackburn looked to build their momentum. However, the complexion of the game changed dramatically just before the half-time whistle.
Jonathan Varane was red-carded in stoppage time for a reckless tackle on Danny Batth. QPR were down to ten men in the end. The red card proved a turning point, as referee Craig Pawson could do little other than send him marching after the defender lunged in and caught Batth's ankle. Going into halftime with Blackburn having had the majority of the game's possession means that they could finally breathe a sigh of relief as they now stood in the numerical advantage for the second half.
John Eustace's men had gotten a lot of energy out of the break and soon saw their breakthrough. Just seven minutes into the second half, Lewis Travis, playing in his 200th career league start, scored his first deflected goal in two years as he left QPR keeper Nardi powerless as the shot from the edge of the area took a critical deflection off Steve Cook and wrong-footed the keeper to send the home crowd into a spasm of jubilation.
Unsatisfied with only one goal lead, Blackburn doubled their advantage and stamped their authority over the game. The imperious pressure of the Blackburn defense was rewarded in full 11 minutes later when Danny Batth, with a convert in sending Todd Cantwell's beautiful cross into the back of the net, achieved his first goal for the club. Batth's close-range effort settled any remaining nerves among the Blackburn fans and sealed the win.
Cantwell was the sum of a dynamic attack thereafter, and he took up his position bright and early as well, picking up where he left off when brought on for Harry Pickering. A summer signing from Norwich City has quickly won over an appreciative Norfolk audience. His ability to create chances was evident and promising for the future at the club and a misfortune that Hedges was unable to take advantage of after a Nardi deflection took a poked shot wide.
QPR took the lead only to fall behind just six minutes later when Townsend beat Wright-Phillips at the near post and then cut a cross across the face of the goal, which Aaron McGee flicked on into an unguarded net from three yards. Despite falling behind, QPR did not fold completely and fought to find a way back into the game. Smyth appeared to pull one back in the 74th minute when he dispossessed Batth and fired home, but the referee ruled the goal out for a foul, much to the disbelief of the away supporters.
It didn't matter one iota, as Blackburn emerged comfortable 2-0 winners and reinforced their grip at the top of the table. Success was not only testimony to Blackburn's unbeaten start to the season but reflected intent to claim promotion. It was not until the end when Blackburn's tactical discipline with QPR's misfortunes ensured the home side continued into such amazing form. With the spirit and determination displayed, the Rovers fans can feel optimistic for the rest of the season.
