Burnley 2 QPR 0
Danny Ings’ second-half goals – one of them a late penalty – condemned QPR to their first league defeat of the season.
Ings and Sam Vokes linked up on 64 minutes to give the hosts a deserved lead and the striker doubled the advantage three minutes from time.
The result meant it was an unhappy return to Turf Moor for Rangers’ former Clarets star Charlie Austin – and that Burnley stayed top of the Championship, five points clear of the R’s, who play their game in hand on Wednesday against Wigan.
R’s boss Harry Redknapp named the same starting XI that drew 2-2 at Millwall and his side started brightly, with Karl Henry firing straight at keeper Tom Heaton from eight yards after a Joey Barton cross.
However, Burnley’s high tempo pressing game restricted QPR and keeper Rob Green had to be alert to deny Ings at his feet after a poor pass from Henry sent the forward through.
Burnley continued to control the game and Barton’s frustration got the better of him on 25 minutes when he picked up his fifth booking of the season following a late challenge on Keith Treacy, ruling him out of Wednesday’s game.
Burnley’s energetic style of play reaped the maximum reward after half time when Ings notched his eight league goal of the season.
Henry squandered possession in midfield and a quick one-two between Ings and Vokes – which left Richard Dunne flat-footed – sent the former Bournemouth man through and he finished impeccably past Green.
Dunne came close to making amends but could only awkwardly poke over from five yards after Clint Hill had headed Barton’s free-kick back across goal.
Redknapp threw on Javier Chevanton, Matt Phillips and Jermaine Jenas in the closing stages but Burnley wrapped up the game late on.
Barton foolishly fouled Ings, who dusted himself down to send Green the wrong way from the spot.
QPR (4-4-1-1): Green; Simpson, Dunne, Hill, Assou-Ekotto; O’Neil (Chevanton 72), Barton Henry (Jenas 68), Hoilett; Kranjcar (Phillips 72); Austin.
Sub not used: Murphy, Traore, Onyewu, Faurlin.
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This post was last modified on 27/10/2013