The returning Nigerian sparks an important win for his side after returning from suspension but a nervy second-half after a brace from Jamie Mackie was not enough for the visitors
A sublime first-half display was enough for Blackburn as they secured an important 3-1 win against QPR to drag their opponents well and truly into a relegation fight.
A quick-fire first half double from Yakubu and N’Zonzi had the visitors shell-shocked who simply hadn’t got going and with the last kick of the first-half Junior Hoilett’s effort took a wicked deflection to do the damage.
Mark Hughes would have been furious with what he saw from his side in the first-half and despite a much improved second period Jamie Mackie’s brace turned out to not be enough as their poor form continues under their new manager.
Blackburn had made four changes to the side that was thrashed 7-1 by Arsenal with two enforced as Grant Hanley came in for the suspended Gael Givet while Mauro Formica replaced David Dunn. Bradley Orr started in defence to make his full debut against his former club and Yakubu was once more staring up-front following his 3-match suspension.
The visitors made two changes from their defeat to Wolves with Djribil Cisse suspended Armand Traore came in for midfield while Fitz Hall replaced the injured Luke Young.
The home side were passing the ball around with real confidence and attacking flair that makes you wonder why they are in the drop zone, but that’s because they have the worst defence in the league.
In just the 15th minute Blackburn’s go to man, Yakubu opened the scoring in typical fashion. A long punt up-field by Robinson was flicked on to Yakubu who turned sharply on the edge of the area before firing past Kenny who was wrong-footed. The lead was nothing more than the home side had deserved after a really bright start.
It wasn’t long before the home side doubled their advantage but this time it was through a far less likely scorer in the rather large shape of Stephen N’Zonzi in the 23rd minute. The visitors were wide open at the back and Martin Olsson was awarded so much time in the penalty area he drove towards goal before cutting back to N’Zonzi who smashed the ball past a helpless Paddy Kenny.
In what was the final action of the game Blackburn scored once more to have the game all but won by the break after a deflected effort from Junior Hoilett looped into the far corner. The Canadian was completely unmarked at the far post and as the ball fell to Hoilett he struck it first and with the ball seemingly going at Paddy Kenny the shot took a wicked deflection off Onuoha to leave the keeper rooted to the spot.
The second-half started as the first began with Blackburn in the ascendency and almost added to their lead through the most audacious of efforts from Yakubu. Morten Gamst Pederson tried an effort from 30-yards that was sliced completely but it fell to Yakubu on the edge of the area who showed real instinct turning and chipping goalwards that had Paddy Kenny beaten but it hit the bar.
QPR’s had struggled to find any opening on the Blackburn goal until midway through the second-half though luckily for the home side the chance fell to Nedum Onuoha. Taarabt picked up a loose ball in midfield and played a perfect through ball to Onuoha who had made a surging run but his side footed effort was comfortably saved by Robinson.
The visitors were much improved though in the second period and got one back through the substitute Jamie Mackie. Taye Taiwo was allowed so much space on the left-hand side and walked into the Blackburn area before playing the most simple of square balls for Mackiewho smashed it in to give his side a lifeline.
With time running out Mackie scored again to set up a dramatic final few minutes but it was too little too late for Mark Hughes’ men who now find themselves well and truly emerged in a relegation fight.
QPR failed to register another chance of note and while Blackburn are still searching for their first-clean sheet of the season they got the three points that will be so important in their bid to stay in the Premier League.