Dismal QPR are thrashed at Forest

Nottingham Forest 4 QPR 0

QPR were thrashed on another fruitless trip to the City Ground, where they have never won.

Tyler Walker netted twice in a resounding win for Nottingham Forest, with Kieran Dowell and Barrie McKay also scoring. 

Forest went ahead in the 14th minute, when Dowell charged down an attempted clearance by Jack Robinson and played in Walker, who fired past keeper Alex Smithies.

Rangers had made a decent start, with David Wheeler sending a first-time shot over the Forest bar after being found by Josh Scowen.

But they were vulnerable at the back and former Forest defender Joel Lynch, restored after serving a suspension, prevented the hosts doubling their lead shortly before the half-hour mark.

After Walker wriggled away from Jake Bidwell and drove the ball into the six-yard box, Lynch threw himself in front of Daryl Murphy to deny the Forest striker.

There was no let-off for the R’s when Ben Osborn split their defence with a lovely pass through to Dowell a couple of minutes before the interval.

Dowell rounded Smithies and slotted into an empty net.

Rangers boss Ian Holloway made a double substitution at half-time, bringing on Jamie Mackie and Matt Smith.

Mackie, also playing against his former club, missed a great chance when he headed Conor Washington’s left-wing cross wide of the target.

It proved to be a costly miss, as Forest made it 3-0 seven minutes into the second half.

Again Osborn was involved, this time picking out McKay, who volleyed home unchallenged.

Walker completed the rout when he helped himself to another goal six minutes from time, finishing emphatically after being set up by McKay’s excellent ball in from the left.