QPR boost promotion hopes
QPR 2 - 1 Blackburn Rovers
Jack Colback fired home a stunning winner in the 76th minute to lift Queens Park Rangers to within three points of the Championship play-off spots with a hard-fought victory over Blackburn Rovers.
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In a pulsating, end-to-end contest, substitute Colback struck first-time from the edge of the box to seal Rangers' first points in three games, continuing their resurgence since December.
QPR had taken the lead early on when Ilias Chair’s inviting free-kick was glanced in by Michael Frey, netting his seventh goal of the season. Blackburn, however, responded strongly after the break, with Tyrhys Dolan levelling from the penalty spot eight minutes into the second half following a foul by Koki Saito on Callum Brittain.
Dolan had almost equalised earlier, only to be denied by a superb close-range save from Paul Nardi after QPR failed to clear Makhtar Gueye’s cross. At the other end, Aynsley Pears produced a fine stop to tip Chair’s curling effort around the post as the hosts pushed for a second.
QPR continued to threaten, with Paul Smyth and Chair both going close, but their missed chances seemed costly when Dolan coolly converted his penalty—his first goal in 20 appearances.
However, after Blackburn’s fast start to the second half began to fade, Colback had the final say, rifling in via Pears’ fingertips to secure victory—his first goal since last February.
QPR, now up to 13th, have won five of their eight league matches in 2025, while Blackburn’s struggles on the road continue, having picked up just one point from their last five away games. Rovers also remain the lowest-scoring team in the top half of the table this season.
The home fans were pleased with what they saw.
One QPR fan told us: "Blackburn showed why they are this high in the table because they were dangerous every time they entered the final third. However, our own team displayed energy, focus and commitment. The fans around me responded to this performance and created a fantastic atmosphere. There's still a long way to go, but we are certainly looking up the table now, and we could easily finish in the top 6 if we keep delivering performances like this one."
Thomas, another QPR fan, added: "I remember hearing the manager saying at the start of the season that he wanted to improve on last season's points total of 56. This has now been achieved. All the credit goes to him and the players for giving QPR fans hope again."
