Yakubu gave Blackburn the lead at Ewood Park

Premier League: Blackburn Rovers 3 QPR 2

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Blackburn survived a second-half fightback from fellow strugglers QPR to secure three precious points at Ewood Park.

Striker Ayegbeni Yakubu, back from suspension, opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a shot from the edge of the penalty area, Steven Nzonzi extended the home side’s lead in the 23rd by converting Junior Hoilett’s pass and Nedum Onuoha’s own goal then made it 3-0 just prior to the interval.

Substitute Jamie Mackie netted in 71st minute and again in the 90th to set up a nervy finale, but Blackburn held on for the victory, bouncing back from last week’s humiliating 7-1 defeat at Arsenal.

Blackburn welcomed top-scorer Ayegbeni Yakubu back to their starting XI for this afternoon’s Barclays Premier League clash with fellow strugglers QPR at Ewood Park.

Striker Yakubu returned after serving a three-match ban, but defender Gael Givet was beginning one following his sending off in the humiliating 7-1 defeat at Arsenal, so Grant Hanley also came into the team, along with Bradley Orr, who was making his first start since joining Rovers from the R’s on transfer deadline day, and Mauro Formica.

QPR’s former Blackburn boss Mark Hughes - without suspended frontman Djibril Cisse - made three changes from the 2-1 defeat to Wolves, bringing Fitz Hall, Armand Traore and Akos Buzsaky into the side.

Rovers were eager to put their debacle at the Emirates Stadium firmly behind them but they almost suffered further embarrassment early on when Hanley made an error and Bobby Zamora looked to capitalise, only to see his cross intercepted.

The hosts settled down, though, with Junior Hoilett firing an effort against Anton Ferdinand, and on the quarter-hour mark they took the lead as Yakubu marked his comeback in style.

The Nigerian collected the ball from a flick-on, turned on the edge of the area and smashed home past Paddy Kenny.

QPR tried to make a quick response as Nedum Onuoha headed wide, but soon after Blackburn had doubled their advantage as Hoilett broke into the box and teed up Steven Nzonzi, who swept the ball in.

A tame attempt from QPR’s Adel Taarabt did little to trouble Paul Robinson, and Morten Gamst Pedersen then drove a free-kick into the visitors’ wall.

Hanley failed in a bid to connect with a corner, the Scot injuring himself in the process but able to carry on, before Buzsaky lashed well wide and Robinson got down to save Traore’s shot.

Blackburn then made it 3-0 in first-half stoppage time, Scott Dann heading the ball across the area for Hoilett to send it in off Onuoha.

There was a setback for Rovers at the start of the second half with Hoilett having to be withdrawn, Adam Henley the man to come on.

Moments later, though, they almost had another goal as Yakubu sent an audacious chip against the crossbar.

Onuoha found himself through in the 65th minute but produced a poor strike which Robinson saved with ease, and Taye Taiwo then cracked one wide for the visitors.

QPR were applying considerable pressure, and with a little under 20 minutes to go they pulled a goal back as Jamie Mackie - on for Buzsaky - put in Taiwo’s cross with a close-range finish.

Mackie was then presented with another opportunity, but shot at Robinson.

The goalkeeper turned an effort from Taarabt around the post in the closing stages and Shaun Wright-Phillips hit one over the bar.

Mackie then struck at the death to make it 3-2, but it too late for the R’s to salvage a draw.