STEVE Kean hailed an ‘exceptional’ first half performance as Blackburn Rovers bounced back from a 7-1 loss at Arsenal with a crucial victory at home to QPR this afternoon.

Rovers raced into a 3-0 lead at the interval thanks to strikes from Yakubu and Steven Nzonzi as well as a Nedum Onuoha own goal.

Yakubu then hit the bar early in the second half, although Jamie Mackie pulled two goals back for QPR to make for a tense finish.

But Rovers were able to hang on to a 3-2 win to move level on points with their opponents.

“I felt that the first half was exceptional and put to bed a little bit the disappointment of the Arsenal game,” Kean said.

“We worked really hard this week trying to get pressure on the ball and making sure we could hold a high line.

“I thought first half it worked brilliantly and we even had the Yakubu chance to go to 4-0.

“After that QPR thought they had nothing to lose so they started throwing all sorts at it, changed their shape, went very offensive.

“Once the first goal went in we had a little bit of a wobble and got a bit nervous, which I think is understandable considering how many young players we’ve got into the team.

“But overall to get the victory, any way you get it, gives us the points.”