Oxford United v QPR player ratings
QPR won the six-pointer they badly needed to and moved to the verge of Championship safety. Here’s how we rated each Rangers player in the 3-1 victory at Oxford.
Paul Nardi: 8
Mostly very well protected by his defence, but was faultless when called upon, producing a near-post save to deny Rúben Rodrigues and keeping out two Cameron Brannagan strikes.
Jimmy Dunne: 8
A typical Dunne display; solid defensively, eager to get forward and a big presence in both penalty areas, volleying over shortly before heading the ball towards Sam Field to set up the second QPR goal.
Liam Morrison: 8
Deserves immense credit for the way, following an injury lay-off of his own, he has stepped in in the absence of sidelined captain Steve Cook, whose injury might otherwise have been a hammer blow for Rangers. Morrison was calm and composed and won several key challenges.
Ronnie Edwards: 8
An excellent mixture of class and grit. So comfortable on the ball but also so determined to compete. And he scored the all-important opening goal.
Kenneth Paal: 7
Was having a decent game before going off injured in the second half. Did particularly well to hold off Przemyslaw Placheta and halt a dangerous Oxford attack.
Jack Colback: 8
Gave everything in midfield and looked out on his feet when substituted in stoppage time. Showed his experience, constantly being quick to snuff out danger.
Jonathan Varane: 8
Lively in the first half, having an effort saved and setting up a chance for Daniel Bennie, and immense in the second half as he battled ferociously in front of the R’s back four.
Nicolas Madsen: 7
By far his best performance for Rangers. Not one for the cut and thrust of Championship football, but some of his link-up play was useful and he delivered the corner for the opening goal as well as one which Dunne volleyed over.
Sam Field: 8
Superb in an attacking midfield role before having to go off in the second half after suffering another injury. A lovely piece of skill on the right to evade a challenge was a highlight of a fine display. Forced the second goal when his attempt to bundle the ball in from close range ricocheted in off Oxford’s Ole Romeny.
Paul Smyth: 7
Worked tirelessly on the right and struggled on after picking up an injury in the second half.
Daniel Bennie: 7
The 18-year-old Australian winger, given his full debut and deployed as a centre-forward because of injury-plagued Rangers’ lack of attacking options, made a decent fist of it and had an effort saved after being set up by Varane.
Lucas Andersen: 6
Had a tough act to follow after coming on for Field, but played his part as Rangers saw the game out.
Morgan Fox: 6
Solid after coming on for Paal.
Karamoko Dembele: 7
On as a not-so-late substitute, given that a quarter of an hour of stoppage time ended up being added, Dembele played a vital role. He provided some much-needed pace and energy in attack just as Rangers seemed to be wilting, and he set up their third goal to help seal the win.
Harrison Ashby: 7
Also did well after his introduction, immediately chasing a seemingly lost cause to win a corner and ease the pressure on Rangers as Oxford seemed to be turning the screw.
Yang Min-hyeok: 7
Took his goal really well. A nice cameo after some poor recent displays.
