QPR top after victory at Cardiff

Cardiff City 0 QPR 2

Steven Caulker’s second-half header and a late Tjaronn Chery penalty clinched victory for QPR to maintain their 100% start to the new season and leave them top of the Championship after the opening two matches.

Former Bluebirds skipper Caulker, who was given a warm reception by the home fans before the game, powered home a Jake Bidwell free-kick 15 minutes from time.

And Chery smashed home from the spot after Sebastian Polter was brought down in the box.

The win preserved Rangers’ unbeaten record in four visits to Cardiff City Stadium and it was nothing less than they deserved following an excellent second-half performance.

Cardiff just shaded the opening 45 minutes but neither side were able to muster a shot on target. 

The visitors started well after the break ,with Jordan Cousins and Nedum Onuoha linking well on the right flank, but Yeni Ngbakoto was unable to apply the finishing touch to the former Charlton man’s cross.

New signing Ngbakoto was handed his league debut after midfielder Ben Gladwin limped off with an injured left ankle following a robust challenge from Joe Ralls.

Rangers continued to press, with Caulker’s hitting the side netting and Polter shooting wide from inside the box before the R’s defender found the top corner after the Cardiff defence failed to pick him up in the box.

Chery then scored his second penalty in as many Championship matches with an emphatic finish after Polter was bundled over.