Rhodes double powers BlackburnA clinical brace from Blackburn striker Jordan Rhodes ensured all three points for his side with a 3-1 victory against a lacklustre Charlton at the Valley.It was Blackburn's third victory of the season against the Addicks having already beaten them 2-0 at Ewood Park in the reverse fixture and 2-1 win in the FA Cup at the Valley in January.Gary Bowyer's men have lost only one of their last nine games in all competitions, including a memorable draw against Liverpool at Anfield in the FA Cup last week.The deserved victory keeps their slim play-off chances alive and takes them to 10th in the table, eight points off the top six.Charlton, who remain 12th, had won five of their last six games and went into this encounter as one of the form teams of the Championship.However, they began slowly and the visitors enjoyed the majority of possession during the opening exchanges and took the lead on 15 minutes.Striker Rhodes, heavily linked with a move to title-chasing Middlesbrough in recent days, latched on to a quick throw-in from Ben Marshall and expertly finished to claim his 15th goal of the season.Charlton's sluggish start continued and Blackburn punished them further just two minutes later.Experienced centre-half Roger Johnson was caught in possession by Craig Conway.The midfielder burst forward into the penalty box and fired a low, accurate shot that nestled into the far corner.It was to be his final contribution as Conway injured himself in the process and was immediately replaced by Chris Taylor.Charlton enjoyed victory in their last three home games, scoring eight goals and conceding just one but Blackburn showed their resilience.Their only defeat since early February was a 2-1 loss against highflying Norwich in the Championship on 24 February.Bowyer's side were very comfortable throughout the first half as Charlton fashioned just one noteworthy chance on 19 minutes that Igor Vetokele blazed over from 12 yards out.The Addicks responded well after the interval and pulled a goal back on 55 minutes.Yoni Buyens converted a penalty after Blackburn keeper Jason Steele wiped out Vetokele as he attempted to punch the ball clear.Vetokele so nearly levelled the scores just three minutes later as he crashed a header against the crossbar from 10 yards out following a superb cross from Frederic Bulot.But the grandstand finish from Charlton failed to materialise.Too many passes went astray and their sloppiness was ruthlessly punished once again by Rhodes thanks to a deft close-range header after Taylor's deflected shot looped into the airSource : PA
Source: PA