Everton condemn QPR to another home loss

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QPR 1 Everton 2

QPR’s Premier League status looks even more precarious after Aaron Lennon’s 77th-minute goal condemned them to a sixth consecutive home defeat.

Eduardo Vargas blasted in from close range to haul them level midway through the second half.

But Everton, who had gone ahead through Seamus Coleman’s first-half strike, regained the lead courtesy of Lennon’s first goal since his loan move from Tottenham.

Rangers have now lost six of their seven matches since Chris Ramsey was placed in charge following the departure of Harry Redknapp, and five of their six successive losses at Loftus Road have been in the league.

They can count themselves somewhat unfortunate in that both Junior Hoilett and Adel Taarabt hit the woodwork, but QPR’s inability to overcome such an obviously fatigued side seemed another sign that they do not have enough about them to stay up.

One off the bottom of the table and in desperate need of a win, they welcomed captain Joey Barton back after suspension and Maurico Isla was cleared to return despite knee trouble.

They made the early running, with Everton looking jaded following Thursday’s Europa League exit against Dynamo Kiev in Ukraine.

However, the Merseysiders counter-attacked and scored on 18 minutes.

Leon Osman laid the ball into Coleman’s path and the right-back fired beyond keeper Rob Green and in off the far post.

Bobby Zamora had a chance to equalise but headed wide from Charlie Austin’s cross.

And less than a minute after the interval, the otherwise ineffective Junior Hoilett curled an effort on to the Everton post.

The equaliser eventually arrived when the visitors were unable to clear Matt Phillips’ right-wing corner and as Austin tried to turn in Sandro’s scuffed shot, Vargas pounced and blasted into the roof of the net.

But Everton hit back following more good work on the right by the excellent Coleman.

Nedum Onuoha prevented Arouna Kone scoring from Coleman’s low cross but the loose ball fell to Lennon, who made no mistake.

Taarabt, on as a substitute, was unlucky not to bring Rangers level when he fired against the bar in injury time.

QPR: Green; Isla, Onuoha, Caulker, Yun; Phillips, Barton, Sandro (Henry 71), Hoilett (Vargas 60); Austin, Zamora (Taarabt 81).
Subs not used: McCarthy, Hill, Ferdinand, Kranjcar.

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