Fer’s strike gives QPR victory over Magpies

By

QPR 2 Newcastle 1

Leroy Fer’s 25-yard strike gave relegated QPR their first home victory under Chris Ramsey.

Newcastle led through Emmanuel Riviere’s 24th-minute opener but Rangers hit back in the second half to win the final match of the season at Loftus Road, where they had lost all but one of their previous six games since Ramsey was placed in charge.

Matty Phillips equalised and Fer’s sixth goal of the season meant another defeat for the struggling Magpies, who could yet join Rangers in the Championship next term.

QPR’s defensive shortcomings have blighted their season and were evident again when Riviere was inexplicably allowed to drift away from Steven Caulker to collect keeper Tim Krul’s long punt completely unchallenged.

The Frenchman then fortuitously lifted the ball over Rob Green, his mis-hit effort deceiving the Rangers keeper.

Worse followed for Green when he had to be helped from the field after being kneed in the face by Joey Barton in an accidental collision with the Rangers midfielder on the half-hour mark.

Ramsey, who is close to being confirmed as manager for next season, made a double substitution at half-time, replacing Junior Hoilett and Caulker with Yun Suk-Young and teenage forward Reece Grego-Cox.

Rangers were better after the restart and Charlie Austin crossed from the right for Phillips to nod home at the far post before Fer put them ahead.

The Dutchman picked up the loose ball following Phillips’ challenge on Ryan Taylor and sent a brilliant right-footed shot into the top corner of the net.

Newcastle had chances to equalise. Moussa Sissoko dragged a low shot wide of the target and Clint Hill’s goal-line block denied Papiss Cisse.

QPR: Green (McCarthy 33); Onuoha, Dunne, Caulker (Yun 45), Hill, Phillips, Henry, Barton, Hoilett (Grego-Cox 45), Fer, Austin.
Subs not used: Wright-Phillips, Doughty, Furlong, Comley.

Follow West London Sport on Twitter
Find us on Facebook