Defeat puts QPR back in the bottom three
Burnley 2 QPR 1
QPR slipped back into the bottom three after a defeat against their fellow strugglers.
Charlie Austin, playing against his former club, levelled for Rangers with a 33rd-minute penalty after Scot Arfield had put Burnley ahead.
But Danny Ings’ goal was enough to give the Clarets the points – and take them out of the relegation zone.
Adel Taarabt, recalled by Rangers boss Harry Redknapp for his first league start of the season, played the whole 90 minutes.
And loan signing Mauro Zarate came on for the final 14 minutes, but the visitors were unable to salvage a point despite Steven Caulker going close for them late on.
It means QPR have now lost all 11 of their away matches this season, with 10 of those defeats coming in the league.
Arfield’s opening goal was a moment of pure class. He cut in from the left, went past Caulker and curled a shot beyond keeper Rob Green.
Rangers responded strongly though and Austin fired against the post after being set up by Maurcio Isla before Leroy Fer also went close to equalising with an effort that went narrowly wide.
The equaliser came when Austin converted from the spot after being fouled by Dean Marney, but some dismal Rangers defending enabled Burnley to regain the lead eight minutes before half-time.
Ings was able to collect a ball into the box and he held off Caulker before nutmegging Richard Dunne and scoring with a scuffed shot which dribbled over the line.
Rangers had looked dangerous and capable of finally picking up their first away point of the season, but they were less effective after the break.
Eduardo Vargas headed straight at Burnley keeper Tom Heaton, but otherwise the hosts looked more likely to score in the second half.
Ashley Barnes, Ben Mee and Ings all went close to scoring a third for Burnley before Barnes had a goal disallowed for a foul on Green.
Caulker was denied by a fine save when Heaton tipped his header over.
QPR: Green; Isla, Caulker, Dunne, Hill (Traore 75); Vargas (Zarate 76), Henry (Zamora 69), Barton, Fer; Taarabt, Austin.
Subs not used: McCarthy, Mutch, Phillips, Onuoha.
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11/01/2015 @ 2:38 am
Our window is too short to fix our problems I fear. These players have talent but it’s the coaching that is deficient. We pass poorly, lack heart, little fight in us. There is no plan. Taarabt starting? Really? Who can convince me that Barnes, Arfield, Heaton, Marney and the like are better than we send out to play? Our problems are organizational and the sooner they are addressed the sooner we won’t have to contemplate playing at Barnsley and Huddersfield on cold Tuesday nights next November. It will naturally have to be in the Championship because the likelihood of playing two cup ties in the same season is beyond our imagination.
10/01/2015 @ 6:49 pm
No need to be rude mate.
I have my opinion, you have yours.
In my opinion, TF is a clown.
He’s thus far proving me correct.
10/01/2015 @ 6:47 pm
At least we can have 3 seasons in the premier with Harry… Autumn,winter and spring
10/01/2015 @ 6:14 pm
Twat
Harry maybe but TF is the best thing to happen to the Rs in years
10/01/2015 @ 5:27 pm
What a joke our club is
The only way out of this is to sack Harry NOW.
As for the court jester Fernandes – I hope he follows.
10 away defeats in a row. What a record.
Could well end up 19 with this set up.
The evidence is there for all to see.