BLACKBURN Rovers claimed a crucial victory over relegation rivals QPR in this afternoon’s Premier League fixture at Ewood Park.

Rovers surged into a 3-0 lead by half time, although two late goals from the visitors kept Steve Kean’s side in the relegation zone on goal difference.

Yakubu, making his return from a three-match ban, put Rovers ahead in the 14th minute after Steven Nzonzi flicked on Paul Robinson’s deep free kick and the striker side-stepped Anton Ferdinand before superbly firing into the bottom corner.

And the lead was doubled only nine minutes later as a QPR move broke down and Nzonzi carried the ball forward on the counter attack.

The French midfielder found Junior Hoilett, who advanced on the left before pulling the ball back for Nzonzi to crash home left footed from 15 yards.

Bobby Zamora hooked a shot inches wide for the visitors and Robinson saved from Armand Traore, but Steve Kean’s side made it 3-0 in first-half stoppage time.

Scott Dann rose to win a header from a set piece and Hoilett pounced to lash a shot goalwards, with his effort deflecting off Nedum Onuoha and past Paddy Kenny.

Hoilett’s initial shot did not look to be on target, so the goal could yet be credited as an Onuoha own goal.

Zamora put a header wide after the interval but Yakubu was close to adding a Rovers fourth as his brilliant 20-yard chip came back off the bar.

Robinson then had to deny Onuoha but QPR did pull a goal back on 71 minutes when Bradley Orr’s error allowed Taye Taiwo to collect the ball in the area and square for substitute Jamie Mackie to turn home from close range.

Adel Taarabt forced a save from Robinson and Shaun Wright-Phillips fired narrowly wide.

Mackie then fired an angled drive into the top corner in the second minute of injury time to make for a tense finish, but Rovers hung on to secure all three points.

Rovers: Paul Robinson, Bradley Orr, Scott Dann, Grant Hanley, Martin Olsson, Morten Gamst Pedersen, Steven Nzonzi, Jason Lowe, Junior Hoilett (Adam Henley 50), Mauro Formica (Anthony Modeste 66), Yakubu (David Goodwillie 90). Subs not used: Mark Bunn, Radosav Petrovic, Ruben Rochina, Simon Vukcevic.

QPR: Paddy Kenny, Nedum Onuoha, Anton Ferdinand (Danny Gabbidon 90), Fitz Hall, Taye Taiwo, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Akos Buzsaky (Jamie Mackie 66), Joey Barton, Armand Traore, Adel Taarabt, Bobby Zamora. Subs not used: Radek Cerny, Clint Hill, Shaun Derry, Tommy Smith, Jay Bothroyd.

Referee: Mike Dean.

Attendance: 20,252.