Match ends, Blackburn Rovers 2, Ipswich Town 0.
BlackburnBlackburn Rovers2IpswichIpswich Town0
Jordan Rhodes continued his fine form in front of goal as he scored twice to give Blackburn Rovers victory over Ipswich Town.
Rhodes gave the hosts the lead from the spot early on after Hope Akpan was fouled in the box by Larsen Toure.
Four minutes later, Rhodes doubled their lead when he rose to nod home Craig Conway's cross past Dean Gerken.
Blackburn keeper Jason Steele did well to keep out Daryl Murphy's powerful low drive as the hosts held on for the win.
Rovers enjoyed a fine start to the match as Rhodes scored from the spot after just 12 minutes when Toure upended Akpan.
Their lead was doubled as Rhodes latched on to Conway's cross to head home and bring his tally to seven goals this season.
Murphy gave the visitors their best chance of finding their way back into the game when he struck a low shot goalwards but Steele produced a fine save.
Rhodes came close to claiming his hat-trick when he curled an effort from 20 yards out which had Gerken beaten and cannoned against the post.
Ipswich were denied a consolation late on as Steele saved Jonathan Parr's effort to keep a clean sheet.
Blackburn manager Gary Bowyer:
"I think it's probably the most complete performance since I've been in charge.
"We came out of the traps ever so well, scored two goals very quickly and continued to play some excellent stuff.
"We got to half-time and knew with the firepower Ipswich have got, that we were going to be under the cosh in the second half and that proved to be the case.
"We still created some great chances but the resilience we showed, to come out of that game with a clean sheet - Ipswich are going to be right up there this season - it's very, very difficult to pick out any one individual."
Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy:
"It's become a bit of a bad habit of ours, giving teams goal starts and two-goal starts and it's got to stop.
"I can't just give you one answer why we are defending the way we are and I've been at pains to put that right this week - but we just didn't start well.
"I have to say they started well. They played like us when we were in our pomp last season, playing 4-4-2, people blocking things and stopping us playing. They did it better than we did.
"He (Rhodes) was outstanding, his all-round performance. He messed us around, bumped us, nudged us, blocked things. His goals won the game but his all-round performance was outstanding."
Line-ups
Blackburn
Formation 4-4-2
- 30Steele
- 2HenleyBooked at 55mins
- 5Hanley
- 22Duffy
- 14Olsson
- 10Marshall
- 29EvansBooked at 53mins
- 21Akpan
- 32Conway
- 16LawrenceSubstituted forWilliamsonat 90+1'minutes
- 11Rhodes
Substitutes
- 3Spurr
- 7Delfouneso
- 17Williamson
- 19Taylor
- 20Petshi
- 26Lenihan
- 33Raya
Ipswich
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Gerken
- 4Chambers
- 5Smith
- 6BerraBooked at 64mins
- 2Parr
- 7Maitland-NilesBooked at 57minsSubstituted forPitmanat 59'minutes
- 22Douglas
- 8Skuse
- 39ToureBooked at 20minsSubstituted forMcGoldrickat 53'minutes
- 20Sears
- 9MurphySubstituted forOarat 82'minutes
Substitutes
- 10McGoldrick
- 11Pitman
- 15Oar
- 17Bru
- 21Malarczyk
- 29Emmanuel
- 33Bialkowski
- Referee:
- Andre Marriner
- Attendance:
- 12,672
Match Stats
Home TeamBlackburnAway TeamIpswich
- Possession
- Home40%
- Away60%
- Shots
- Home15
- Away9
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away3
- Corners
- Home5
- Away8
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away15
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Blackburn Rovers 2, Ipswich Town 0.
Post update
Offside, Blackburn Rovers. Shane Duffy tries a through ball, but Jordan Rhodes is caught offside.
Post update
Offside, Ipswich Town. Tommy Oar tries a through ball, but David McGoldrick is caught offside.
Post update
Corner, Ipswich Town. Conceded by Ben Marshall.
Substitution
Substitution, Blackburn Rovers. Lee Williamson replaces Tom Lawrence.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match Brett Pitman (Ipswich Town) because of an injury.
Post update
Offside, Blackburn Rovers. Markus Olsson tries a through ball, but Jordan Rhodes is caught offside.
Post update
Jonathan Douglas (Ipswich Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Tom Lawrence (Blackburn Rovers).
Post update
Foul by Christophe Berra (Ipswich Town).
Post update
Jordan Rhodes (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Ipswich Town. Tommy Oar replaces Daryl Murphy.
Post update
Corner, Blackburn Rovers. Conceded by Dean Gerken.
Post update
Attempt saved. Jordan Rhodes (Blackburn Rovers) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Craig Conway.
Post update
Foul by Jonathan Douglas (Ipswich Town).
Post update
Tom Lawrence (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Attempt missed. Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Craig Conway with a cross following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Blackburn Rovers. Conceded by Christophe Berra.
