QPR v Huddersfield player ratings

QPR were caused plenty of problems but Charlie Austin’s header – his second goal of the game and 14th of the season – took them up to second in the Championship. Here’s how we rated the players in their 2-1 win against Huddersfield.

Rob Green: 7
Produced a couple of important saves during a first half in which his team were put under serious pressure. He was also helped by some terrible Huddersfield finishing.

Danny Simpson: 8
Another excellent display from the ever-dependable right-back, who was again reliable defensively and always eager to get forward.

Richard Dunne: 6
Endured a difficult first half, with the visitors’ passing and movement often troubling the big defender. He was steady enough after the break though.

Clint Hill: 7
A typically determined display from the skipper. Was beaten on a couple of occasions but also saved the day with a great last-ditch block in the first half.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto: 8
A classy display at left-back, the highlight of which was an outrageous piece of skill to control a high ball and turn away from his man. He also served up an excellent corner for the winner.

Karl Henry: 5
Generally underrated, but failed to do the required job in the defensive part of a diamond midfield in the first half, when he was slow to react on a number of occasions and the back four he was supposed to be protecting was more exposed than it has been all season. Was better in the second half though.

Gary O’Neil: 5
Picked up an injury in the first half but the decision to replace him at the break was purely tactical as he had been ineffective in midfield.

Tom Carroll: 5
Also poor, especially in the first half, giving the ball sloppily and was easily outmanoeuvred by the Terriers’ impressive midfield.

Niko Kranjcar: 7
His sharpness is improving but could still be better, and he was sluggish on the ball at times. But he was skilful and creative for the most part and his delivery from corners twice almost led to goals.

Andy Johnson: 7
Found it hard to make an impact, although he did have an early header cleared off the line and flicked the ball on to Austin for the opening goal.

Charlie Austin: 9
Scored two, was unlucky not to score one or two more and worked tirelessly up front during spells of the game when not much dropped for him. His finish for the first goal was emphatic and his second was the result of a fine leap and header to meet Assou-Ekotto’s corner.

Matt Phillips: 7
Offered some much-needed width after coming on. Missed one good chance and was then unlucky not to score with a powerful shot.

Huddersfield
Played very well, especially in the first half, when they created chances almost at will and were guilty of poor finishing. They looked the part but knocking the ball around nicely isn’t enough against a strong QPR side able to bully opponents. To beat Rangers you need to be ruthless and physically strong, and Huddersfield were neither.

Man of the match: Austin

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