Joy for Warnock after QPR triumph

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Overjoyed manager Neil Warnock declared QPR’s derby triumph over west London neighbours Chelsea an historic victory for the club.

Heidar Helguson’s early penalty gave Rangers their first home win since their return to the Premier League and their first against Chelsea since 1995 – the year before the R’s were relegated from the top flight.

It signalled a remarkable turnaround for a club which 18 months ago was beset by problems on and off the pitch and in danger of relegation to League One.

“This is a very important day for this club.”

“I am so happy. It has to be the best win of my career in terms of what it means to the fans,” said Warnock.

“I’ve been involved in a few derbies and I have to say the place was absolutely rocking. The atmosphere was just incredible.

“They’ll talk about this win in 30 or 40 years and rightly so, because this is a very important day for this club.

Helguson netted QPR's winner

“Eighteen months ago I said to [vice-chairman] Amit Bhatia that it would be nice if one day we were beating Chelsea, and here we are.”

And Warnock dismissed criticism of referee Chris Foy by Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas, who accused the official of treating the Blues unfairly.

Villas-Boas was angry that after having Jose Bosingwa and Didier Drogba sent off in the first half Chelsea had two appeals for a penalty ignored in the second.

Warnock insisted: “I don’t think he [Villas-Boas] has much to complain about at all really.

“The first sending-off was justified, the second – that challenge by Drogba – was worth three sendings off, and the penalty was definitely a penalty.”