A Jordan Rhodes hat-trick helped secure Henning Berg his first win as Blackburn manager, lifted Rovers into the play-off places, and sent Peterborough to the bottom of the Championship table.

Mauro Formica slotted the visitors in front before Rhodes headed in Martin Olsson's cross and then converted Ruben Rochina's pass to make it 3-0.

He then nodded home, unchallenged, for his ninth career treble.

Lee Tomlin's superb finish late on proved little consolation for Posh.

It was the home side's fourth defeat in November and sees them slip to the foot of the Championship on goal difference.

For Blackburn, this was a first win since 27 October and Berg's first victory in four matches as manager.

Rovers struck early thanks to a devastating counter-attack, Rhodes wriggling into space before finding Formica with a deflected shot. The Argentine calmly found the net from six yards.

The visitors almost got another as a silky move ended with Rochina curling a shot from 20 yards that Robert Olejnik pushed behind.

Their lead was doubled when Martin Olsson centred for Rhodes to head home from six yards, although there was a hint of an own goal after the ball hit the hand of Nathaniel Knight-Percival before going in.

Peterborough had no answer as the ex-Huddersfield striker, 22, struck again before half-time, stroking past Olejnik after Rochina's through ball.

Saido Berahino tested Paul Robinson in the opening minutes of the second half with a swerving effort that he pushed over the bar.

They went even closer minutes later when Grant McCann's dipping effort bounced the wrong side of the post.

But Rovers still posed a threat and Rhodes rounded Olejnik but placed his shot wide, Markus Olsson struck the bar and Olejnik got down well to push Martin Olsson's drive over the top.

Their pressure told from the resulting corner, though, when it was headed into the six-yard box by Scott Dann and Rhodes made it 4-0.

They almost had a fifth as Rochina's 25-yard shot was deflected on to a post, and Morten Gamst Pedersen's rebound was ruled offside.

Peterborough's consolation came when Kane Ferdinand found Tomlin, who curled an unstoppable shot into the top right corner.

Olejnik saved brilliantly from Rochina and then managed to divert a Nuno Gomes rebound onto the woodwork before the end.

Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson:

"We had started the game brightly so to concede such an early goal was a big blow, but I give credit to my players for not going under against a team with a hell of a lot of decent players.

"A lot of people might have thought Blackburn would go on to get five or six but we stuck to our task and kept looking for the ball. I really enjoyed watching some of our football and we got control of the midfield, but matches are won in both boxes."

Blackburn manager Henning Berg:

"It was a fantastic feeling to see my team produce a performance like that. Crystal Palace needed two very late goals to beat Peterborough and Brighton had to score in injury time to do it, so going in front so early was key.

"The difference between that display and our previous games was the quality of our play in the final third. We already know Jordan [Rhodes] is a great finisher and he proved that again. He did brilliantly in League One last season and is already doing well in the Championship. Hopefully next season he will be in the Premier League with Blackburn."

Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (5)

Peterborough United

  • 01 Olejnik
  • 03 Alcock (Anderson - 77' )
  • 04 Brisley
  • 06 Bostwick
  • 07 Swanson (Ferdinand - 64' )
  • 11 McCann
  • 17 Newell Booked
  • 20 Knight-Percival
  • 08 Tomlin
  • 10 Boyd
  • 38 Berahino

Substitutes

  • 13 Day
  • 05 Zakuani
  • 18 Ferdinand
  • 32 Anderson
  • 12 Sinclair
  • 22 Clarke-Harris
  • 28 Gordon-Hutton

Blackburn Rovers

  • 01 Robinson
  • 03 Mn Olsson
  • 16 Dann
  • 27 Henley
  • 31 G Hanley
  • 10 Formica
  • 13 Murphy (Lowe - 60' )
  • 14 Ms Olsson (Pedersen - 81' )
  • 18 Etuhu
  • 11 Rhodes (Nuno Gomes - 81' )
  • 23 Rochina

Substitutes

  • 34 Kean
  • 05 Givet
  • 06 Lowe
  • 12 Pedersen
  • 33 Vukcevic
  • 21 Nuno Gomes
  • 39 Kazim-Richards
Ref: Pawson
Att: 5,997

Match Stats

Shots

6 18

On target

2 10

Corners

5 4

Fouls

12 2

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:42 Full time

Full Time The referee blows his whistle to end the game.

90:00 +2:45

George Boyd delivers the ball.

90:00 +1:41

Morten Gamst Pedersen is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Kane Ferdinand takes the indirect free kick.

90:00 +0:38

Lee Tomlin produces a left-footed shot from deep inside the penalty area which goes wide of the right-hand post.

89:38

Ruben Rochina takes a shot. Save by Robert Olejnik. Miguel Nuno Gomes takes a shot. Save by Robert Olejnik.

88:17

Jermaine Anderson has an effort at goal from long distance that goes wide left.

87:21

The assist for the goal came from Kane Ferdinand.

87:21 Goal scored

Goal - Lee Tomlin - Peterboro 1 - 4 Blackburn Lee Tomlin fires in a goal from the edge of the penalty area to the top left corner of the goal. Peterborough 1-4 Blackburn.

85:24

Martin Olsson takes a shot. Morten Gamst Pedersen is ruled offside. Robert Olejnik restarts play with the free kick.

82:59

The ball is delivered by Joe Newell.

80:37 Substitution

Substitution Jordan Rhodes goes off and Miguel Nuno Gomes comes on.

80:37 Substitution

Substitution Markus Olsson leaves the field to be replaced by Morten Gamst Pedersen.

78:28

Scott Dann provided the assist for the goal.

78:28 Goal scored

Goal - Jordan Rhodes - Peterboro 0 - 4 Blackburn Jordan Rhodes finds the net with a headed goal from inside the six-yard box. Peterborough 0-4 Blackburn.

78:14

Corner taken by Mauro Formica from the right by-line,

77:38

Markus Olsson takes a shot.

75:49

Ruben Rochina has an effort direct from the free kick.

75:49 Substitution

Substitution (Peterborough) makes a substitution, with Jermaine Anderson coming on for Craig Alcock.

75:49

Free kick awarded for a foul by Nathaniel Knight-Percival on Mauro Formica.

72:36

Jason Lowe takes the free kick.

72:36 Booking

Booking The referee cautions Joe Newell for unsporting behaviour.

72:27

Joe Newell gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Scott Dann.

66:49

Unfair challenge on Markus Olsson by Michael Bostwick results in a free kick. Grant Hanley takes the free kick.

63:28 Substitution

Substitution Danny Swanson leaves the field to be replaced by Kane Ferdinand.

60:49

The ball is sent over by Martin Olsson.

59:09 Substitution

Substitution Jason Lowe replaces Danny Murphy.

59:09

Jordan Rhodes produces a drilled right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty box which goes wide of the left-hand post.

56:26

Free kick awarded for a foul by Michael Bostwick on Ruben Rochina. Free kick taken by Danny Murphy.

54:21

Ruben Rochina has an effort at goal from outside the area missing to the wide right of the goal.

53:43

Foul by Danny Murphy on Michael Bostwick, free kick awarded. Michael Bostwick takes the free kick.

51:46

Effort from outside the penalty box by Grant McCann goes wide right of the target.

48:16

Nathaniel Knight-Percival concedes a free kick for a foul on Jordan Rhodes. Ruben Rochina shoots direct from the free kick.

47:32

Shaun Brisley concedes a free kick for a foul on Scott Dann. Paul Robinson restarts play with the free kick.

47:03

Saido Berahino takes a shot. Save by Paul Robinson. Corner taken short by Grant McCann.

45:01

The referee blows his whistle to start the second half.

45:00 +2:05 Half time

Half Time The match has reached half-time.

45:00 +0:30

Ruben Rochina has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

44:21

Ruben Rochina takes a shot. Blocked by Shaun Brisley.

42:37

Danny Swanson challenges Martin Olsson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Danny Murphy takes the free kick.

40:07

Danny Swanson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Markus Olsson. Indirect free kick taken by Grant Hanley.

38:21

Ruben Rochina provided the assist for the goal.

38:21 Goal scored

Goal - Jordan Rhodes - Peterboro 0 - 3 Blackburn A goal is scored by Jordan Rhodes from just inside the penalty area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Peterborough 0-3 Blackburn.

34:33

Joe Newell concedes a free kick for a foul on Mauro Formica. Indirect free kick taken by Scott Dann.

33:23

Unfair challenge on Ruben Rochina by Shaun Brisley results in a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Danny Murphy.

32:34

Ruben Rochina takes a shot. Robert Olejnik makes a comfortable save.

30:50

Right-footed shot by Michael Bostwick went wide of the right-hand post.

28:00

Outswinging corner taken by Grant McCann, clearance by Scott Dann.

27:02

Corner taken by Grant McCann played to the near post, clearance by Grant Hanley.

26:46

Danny Swanson sends in a cross, Scott Dann manages to make a clearance.

26:17

Effort from outside the box by Mauro Formica goes wide right of the target.

25:33

The ball is crossed by Lee Tomlin.

23:12

Martin Olsson sends in a cross.

19:44

The assist for the goal came from Martin Olsson.

19:44 Goal scored

Goal - Jordan Rhodes - Peterboro 0 - 2 Blackburn Jordan Rhodes finds the net with a headed goal from close in. Peterborough 0-2 Blackburn.

19:40

The ball is crossed by Martin Olsson,

18:52

Craig Alcock delivers the ball.

18:07

Foul by Dickson Etuhu on Grant McCann, free kick awarded. Michael Bostwick takes the indirect free kick.

17:17

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ruben Rochina by Shaun Brisley. Danny Murphy restarts play with the free kick.

14:41

Inswinging corner taken by Danny Murphy from the left by-line, clearance made by Shaun Brisley.

14:08

Corner taken by Ruben Rochina from the right by-line played to the near post.

13:22

Ruben Rochina takes a shot. Save by Robert Olejnik. Corner taken right-footed by Danny Murphy from the left by-line to the near post, clearance by Lee Tomlin.

5:26

Mauro Formica takes a shot. Save by Robert Olejnik.

2:59

Assist on the goal came from Jordan Rhodes.

2:59 Goal scored

Goal - Mauro Formica - Peterboro 0 - 1 Blackburn Mauro Formica grabs a goal from inside the six-yard box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Peterborough 0-1 Blackburn.

2:49

The ball is swung over by Adam Henley.

2:27

Nathaniel Knight-Percival challenges Martin Olsson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Danny Murphy restarts play with the free kick.

1:36

Inswinging corner taken by Grant McCann.

0:30

Corner from the left by-line taken by Grant McCann, clearance by Dickson Etuhu.

0:00

The match gets underway.

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