Half-time: QPR 1 Sunderland 0

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Charlie Austin’s first Premier League goal put QPR ahead at Loftus Road.

Austin pounced in first-half injury time, smashing into the roof of the net after Leroy Fer had headed Joey Barton’s left-wing corner back across goal.

Fer and Austin had both gone close to opening the scoring before the latter got Rangers’ first goal of the season.

Dutch midfielder Fer, making his home debut, struck the post with a 30-yard effort just after the half-hour mark.

Rangers welcomed back Austin following his recovery from a hamstring problem but Loic Remy, who is expected to join Chelsea, was not in their matchday squad, although he is at the game.

Connor Wickham was in the thick of the early action, setting up Patrick van Aanholt, who fired into the side netting, before the Sunderland forward headed Austin’s header from Barton’s corner off the line.

Wickham also sent a shot wide of the target and QPR keeper Rob Green produced a fine save low down to his left to deny Steven Fletcher.

Rangers finished the half strongly and keeper Vito Mannone saved at the feet of Austin after he had been put through by Barton.

However, Austin’s emphatic finish just before the break gave Mannone little chance.

QPR (4-2-3-1): Green; Isla, Caulker, Ferdinand, Hill; Barton, Mutch, Phillips, Fer, Hoilett; Austin.
Subs: Murphy, Traore, Onuoha, Henry, Dunne, Zamora, Taarabt.

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