Bees beat woeful QPR in derby clash

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QPR 0 Brentford 2


Josh Clarke and Romaine Sawyers scored as Brentford won the west London derby at Loftus Road.

The Bees deservedly went ahead four minutes before half-time with a slick move that ended with Josh McEachran feeding Clarke, who wrong-footed QPR skipper Nedum Onuoha before slipping the ball home.

Rangers rallied with periods of pressure in the second half, but their final ball was sorely lacking.

And Sawyers punished them 16 minutes from time with his first Brentford goal, producing a perfect side-footed finish from just inside the box after being set up by Maxime Colin.

Brentford’s celebrations were overshadowed late on when Lewis Macleod was stretchered off with a suspected knee injury, while Rangers were left reflecting on another disappointing derby display, following the home defeat to Fulham last season.

Dean Smith’s side were on top for large spells of the first half and had the best of the chances, with QPR keeper Alex Smithies denying Sawyers, who had been played in on goal by a delightful lofted pass from McEachran.

Nico Yennaris and Scott Hogan also saw sights of goal before Clarke gave the visitors the lead, collecting McEachran’s pass and shifting the ball onto his left before slotting it in.

Rangers had more hunger about them in the second half but struggled to muster clear opportunities, often over-hitting crosses, and Brentford remained a threat on the break, sealing the points on 74 minutes.

Rangers failed to clear their lines and Colin teed up Sawyers, who roared with delight at breaking his Brentford duck after the ball beat Smithies.

QPR did almost pull one back, Idrissa Sylla’s header cleared off the line by the excellent John Egan, while Bees substitute Konstantin Kerschbaumer went close to a third.

QPR: Smithies; Perch, Onuoha, Caulker, Robinson (Wszolek 63); Borysiuk (Gladwin 81), Luongo; Cousins, Chery, Washington (Polter 69); Sylla.
Subs not used: Ingram, Hamalainen, Hall, Henry.

Brentford: Bentley, Colin, Dean, Egan, Bjelland; Woods, Yennaris; Clarke (Kerschbaumer 90), McEachran (Macleod 71 (Kaikai 86)), Sawyers; Hogan.
Subs not used: Bonham, Barbet, Onariase, Hofmann.