Hat-trick for Walters as QPR lose away again

By

Stoke City 3 QPR 1

Jonathan Walters scored a hat-trick as QPR, beaten in all their away matches this season, suffered yet another defeat on the road.

Niko Kranjcar pulled a goal back for them in the first half after Walters had netted twice to put Stoke in command.

Rangers pushed for an equaliser and went close when Joey Barton’s free-kick was somehow pushed on to the bar by Potters keeper Asmir Begovic.

Walters sealed victory for his team by scoring again in injury time, meaning Harry Redknapp’s side have now lost all 12 of their away games this term, with 11 of those defeats coming in the league.

Early on it was familiar story for Rangers, with Walters slotting home on 21 minutes following some dismal defending.

Walters made it two after being set up by Stephen Ireland but QPR’s response was swift, Kranjcar applying a simple finish after Charlie Austin’s shot had deflected into the Croatian’s path.

And they were unlucky not to draw level in the second half.

As well as brilliantly denying Barton, Begovic saved from Eduardo Vargas and Leroy Fer as Stoke held on before Walters headed in their third.

QPR: Green; Isla, Onuoha, Dunne, Hill (Yun 75); Vargas, Henry (Zamora 45), Barton, Fer; Kranjcar (Hoilett 68), Austin.
Subs not used: McCarthy, Caulker, Phillips, Zarate.

Follow West London Sport on Twitter
Find us on Facebook