Bournemouth go above Fulham by beating QPR
Andre Dozzell was sent off on a disappointing evening for QPR.
Dominic Solanke’s goal – his 18th of the season – took Bournemouth above Fulham and top of the Championship table.
Rangers, who remain seventh, ended the match with 10 men after Dozzell was dismissed in the final moments.
Solanke struck four minutes before half-time after Sam Field was adjudged to have fouled Jefferson Lerma – a decision by referee Keith Stroud which incensed the home fans.
The resulting free-kick was swung in from the left by Junior Stanislas and Solanke flicked a header beyond Seny Dieng and into the far corner of the net.
Solanke should have opened the scoring on the half-hour mark but was guilty of a glaring miss.
A neat build-up culminated in Philip Billing crossing from the left for the striker, who contrived to head over from five yards out.
QPR had plenty of early possession but Dieng was the busier keeper in the first half.
Stanislas twice tested Dieng, who kept out his low shot and pushed over his free-kick as the visitors threatened before eventually taking the lead when Solanke atoned for his earlier error.
But Jadon Anthony was guilty of an even more astonishing miss shortly after coming on as a second-half substitute.
Jack Stacey’s low cross from the right evaded Solanke and dropped to Anthony at the far post but, with the goal at his mercy and Dieng stranded, he scooped the ball wide of the target.
There were bad-tempered scenes in stoppage time when players from both teams became embroiled in a melee after Solanke had tangled with Yoann Barbet.
Dozzell’s involvement in it resulted in him being given a second yellow card.
QPR: Dieng; Dickie, Dunne, Barbet; Kakay (Adomah 70), Field, Johansen, Wallace (Gray 70); Chair (Dozzell 45), Willock; Dykes.
Subs not used: Archer, Thomas, Amos, Austin.
