Wolverhampton Wanderers' strong start to the season continued as a brace from Bakary Sako helped them to a 3-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers this afternoon.

The result moves last season's League One champions into third place in the Championship table.

After a scrappy opening exchange, it was Kevin McDonald who produced the quality to open the scoring as he picked out lone striker Nouha Dicko to place a header into the bottom corner.

Rovers almost hit back instantly, but Wanderers keeper Carl Ikeme pulled off a crucial save to deny Ben Marshall in the top corner of goal.

The pair went into battle again just 10 minutes later as Marshall let fly from distance, leaving Ikeme to scramble down low to his left to keep proceedings level.

The visitors should have restored parity before the break only for Jordan Rhodes to nod wide of the goal, despite getting his head to an inviting delivery.

Wolves made Blackburn pay for their inefficiency in the 33rd minute as Sako swept home from a free kick with his left foot to give the hosts a two-nil half-time cushion.

Wanderers defender Danny Batth gave Rovers a chance to get back into the game in the second half when he brought Rhodes down in the box, leaving the Scottish striker to step up and confidently convert the penalty to reduce Blackburn's arrears.

The home side looked to restore their two-goal lead, but both James Henry and Dicko were denied by some athletic work from Paul Robinson.

However, the goalkeeper's heroics were not enough to stop Wolves from leaving with all three points, as Sako completed his double with just over 20 minutes to play with a cool finish from Dicko's pass.