Yoann Barbet seals win as Queens Park Rangers continue to climb up the table

Queens Park Rangers won their first home game since mid-November as centre-half Yoann Barbet secured all three points against high flying Blackburn Rovers

Mark Warburton’s side beat eighth-place Blackburn Rovers as Frenchman Yoann Barbet gave QPR an unlikely 1-0 victory at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.

Barbet gave QPR the lead nine minutes into the second-half when a ricocheting ball crossed his path, the 27-year-old grabbed the opportunity as he opened up his body side-footing his effort to the bottom left-hand corner of Thomas Kaminski’s goal.

Rangers had failed to score at home in their previous six home fixtures, today’s win gave them their fourth win in five matches in what has been an impressive turnaround since the New Year.

The West London side started the game quickly as Todd Kane missed a great chance to give his side an early lead when he steered his left-footed effort just wide of the post. Ilias Chair went close moments before the ball was teed up for oncoming Kane.

Adam Armstrong was the centre of attention for Blackburn Rovers as his pace and power caused the QPR defence a few issues in the first-half. It was the Englishman who went closest in the first-half from a free-kick which Seny Dieng was able to claw away from the top corner of the net.

The 23-year old went close again in the dying embers of the half when he hurdled a number of challenges before shooting wide of Dieng’s right post.

It was an even first 45 that Rovers grew into in the latter stages after absorbing pressure in the early stages of the half. Several chances were created but there was a lack of quality when it came to converting the chances into goals.

Warburton’s side came out in the second-half with a point to prove. They took the lead in the 54th minute through Barbet who gave the hosts their first goal at home since their 2-1 loss to Bristol City in December.

Blackburn were punished for failing to deal with Chair’s free-kick. Rob Dickie directed the ball towards goal as Jarrad Branthwaite’s block perfectly teed up the French defender, who cooly converted from close range.

Blackburn would have responded only minutes later if it wasn’t for Dieng and Dickie, who both made last-ditch interventions to keep the hosts on top. It was a fine save by Dieng who pushed Lewis Holtby’s effort away, with the ball falling nicely to Armstrong who was questioning how he hadn’t scored. Dickie threw himself at the ball diverting the 23-year-old’s effort behind for a corner.

Tony Mowbray’s side continued to commit numbers in the final stages, as Armstrong forced Dieng into another smart save from distance, the Senegalese goalkeeper has been catching the eye of Premier League clubs after his recent performances.

The West London club held on to claim all three points at Kiyan Prince Foundation stadium, as Blackburn failed to add to their Play-Off points tally.

The result saw Rangers move up to 16th in the league table on 33 points, after their impressive recent form they will be looking to secure their spot in the middle of the table as they remain only three points off 11th. QPR travel to Rotherham in a weeks time in what is an important game in the league’s relegation battle.

As for Blackburn, they remain in eighth after failing to win at the Kiyan Prince Foundation stadium, five points off sixth-place Bournemouth after they beat Birmingham 3-2. Blackburn’s next fixture will be played on Friday night as they host Preston North End who have won only once in their last five league games.

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