Brentford massively boosted their play-off hopes by beating QPR at Griffin Park. Here’s how we rated the players in the west London derby.
The Bees goalkeeper commanded his area without having many stops to make – and the key one was his tip-over to prevent Massimo Luongo putting the visitors in front during the second half.
Dalsgaard’s best moment came when he supplied a superb cross that Sergi Canos headed wide at the far post, but generally his awareness of the players around him could have been much better.
Dealt tidily with most of what came his way and his double challenge on Idrissa Sylla in the closing stages snuffed out any potential threat of a Rangers equaliser.
Although Mepham was at fault in the build-up to Rangers’ equaliser, that was no more than a brief aberration in his otherwise strong defensive performance – both aerially and on the ground.
While Barbet provided an assist for Canos to open the scoring, he was otherwise fairly quiet and his careless ball gave QPR the opportunity to counter-attack as the clock ticked down.
Dictated much of the play with his range of passes, stroking the ball around the park, but also picked up a needless booking for clattering Luongo in the first half.
Lively throughout, sending Ollie Watkins clear for the move that led to Brentford’s penalty, and went close to making it 3-1 with a low effort that Smithies dived to save.
The Bees winger featured very little until his deft turn and finish restored their lead in the 69th minute, but he then made some vital defensive contributions to ensure they saw the game out.
Squandered an early opportunity to put Brentford ahead and was unable to make much of an impression before making way for Kamohelo Mokotjo midway through the second half. His set-piece deliveries were a threat though.
The pace and trickery of Canos caused Rangers plenty of problems early on and he gave his side the lead with an emphatic finish before creating a couple of good opportunities for Watkins.
A handful for the Rangers defence, holding the ball up efficiently and forcing two good saves from Matt Ingram – but his third attempt, from the penalty spot, was rather less impressive.
Replacing the injured Watkins for the second half, Maupay also made a nuisance himself and worked hard to keep up the pressure on the visitors, as well as setting up a chance for Sawyers.
The South African midfielder made an impact after coming on in place of Macleod, providing an energy boost just when the Bees needed it and playing his part in their second goal.
Kept out two attempts from Watkins – and then made up for bringing him down by saving the penalty – but the injury he sustained in that collision ruled him out of the second half.
While the young right-back’s inexperience showed sometimes on his first league start, he acquitted himself well overall and grew in confidence, dispossessing Canos to set up a counter-attack.
Rose to the challenge of leading an inexperienced defence, sliding in to foil Macleod and Canos – although he was exposed later on as Rangers left fewer men back.
Pressed into service at centre-back, Furlong was handed a stern examination by Watkins but came through reasonably well and threw himself in the way of a Canos shot to keep Rangers in the game.
Not a memorable return to Griffin Park for the left-back, who was booked for bundling Neal Maupay over and then easily turned by Jozefzoon for Brentford’s winning goal.
Like the rest of the Rangers midfield, Luongo often found himself stifled, although he was involved in Idrissa Sylla’s goal and almost scored with a deflected shot that was pushed over by Bentley.
Made a vital challenge to deny Sawyers in the first few minutes, but he was guilty of a few errors as well, notably the one that nearly let Watkins in for a goal.
A quiet game for the Northern Ireland international, who chased everything to little effect and it was no surprise when he was withdrawn in favour of Matt Smith for the last 20 minutes.
Freeman found himself easily frustrated, giving the ball away under pressure – which he frequently was – and a header that he directed over the bar in added time encapsulated his afternoon.
The Polish winger switched from left to right and back again, but was often too casual and, despite his involvement in the move that led to Sylla’s equaliser, rarely made much impact.
Having contributed very little in the first half, Sylla then tucked the ball into the Brentford net to make it 1-1 and grew into the game more without carving out any further clear chances.
Replaced Ingram for the second period and produced a crucial low save to deny Sawyers in the aftermath of Brentford’s second goal.
This post was last modified on 22/04/2018