Hoilett helps Cardiff hit back to beat QPR
Cardiff 2 QPR 1
Former QPR man Junior Hoilett helped the Championship leaders come from behind to win again.
Matt Smith put Rangers ahead but a defensive howler led to Hoilett equalising before Sol Bamba headed home on the stroke of half-time.
Rangers, with Steven Caulker playing against his former club – the defender’s first league appearance since last October – took the lead after 15 minutes.
Luke Freeman sent the ball into the box and Smith held off Sean Morrison and headed beyond keeper Neil Etheridge – the target man’s second goal in as many league games.
But Cardiff levelled seven minutes later when Hoilett chased a dire back-pass by Nedum Onuoha and keeper Alex Smithies’ clearance rebounded off the Canadian and into the net.
Smithies then pulled off a fine save to tip away a shot from Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.
However, the resulting corner led to Cardiff going ahead, Samba rising at the far post to head home Hoilett’s delivery.
Hoilett found the net again early in the second half but was adjudged to have pushed Darnell Furlong.
And Mendez-Laing fired against the bar from an acute angle before Hoilett saw a shot saved by Smithies as the home side dominated.
Smithies also saved from Morrison, Joe Ralls and Kenneth Zohore during a one-sided second period.
The result means former QPR boss Neil Warnock has led Cardiff to five wins out five this season.
QPR: Smithies, Furlong, Onuoha, Caulker (Wszolek 72), Scowen, Luongo, Freeman, Bidwell, Washington (Ngbakoto 71), Mackie (Sylla 61), Smith.
Subs not used: Ingram, Robinson, Baptiste, LuaLua.
