QPR out of bottom three after vital victory

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QPR 2 Burnley 0

Charlie Austin scored again to seal a priceless victory that lifted QPR out of the bottom three – although he was sent off two minutes later.

Austin, playing against his former club, was also involved in the opening goal, scored by Leroy Fer six minutes into the second half.

He exchanged passes with Bobby Zamora before teeing up the Dutchman, and after Ben Mee slid in to block the shot, the ball looped into the net.

Another nice move culminated in Austin netting his eighth goal of the season on 74 minutes.

This time Maurcio Isla exchanged passes with fellow Chilean Eduardo Vargas and pulled the ball back for the R’s talisman, who finished emphatically.

But Austin will be suspended for the trip to Everton on Monday week after being dismissed for a second yellow card following a foul on Michael Keane.

Nevertheless, Rangers will feel they have taken an important step towards Premier League survival with another crucial home win against a fellow relegation-threatened team.

They had improved after Rob Green had come to their rescue with a fine save during a tense first half at Loftus Road.

Keeper Green dived to his left to tip George Boyd’s stunning 30-yard effort onto the post in the 28th minute.

Burnley had caused Rangers some early problems, with Ashley Barnes shooting high and wide before Green recovered after dropping a cross to block Scott Arfield’s follow-up.

After Boyd almost opened the scoring, Rangers went close too when Vargas’ shot was cleared off the line by Keane.

Harry Redknapp’s side kept up the pressure after the break and were rewarded when Fer scored for the second successive home game.

Richard Dunne was excellent for Rangers again, twice denying Danny Ings as Burnley went in search of an equaliser.

Dunne diverted Boyd’s driven cross behind for a corner as Ings lurked at the far post and later produced a last-ditch tackle as the Clarets striker bore down on goal.

Ings also headed wide at the far post from Dean Marney’s cross and Boyd missed a great chance when he sliced his shot from near the edge of the penalty area.

The second goal made a Burnley comeback unlikely despite their opponents being reduced to 10 men.

Keeper Tom Heaton prevented a third when he saved from Yun Suk-Young late on.

QPR (4-4-2):  Green; Isla, Dunne, Caulker, Yun; Vargas (Mutch 78), Barton, Henry; Fer (Phillips 90); Zamora (Kranjcar 66), Austin.
Subs not used: McCarthy, Ferdinand, Onuoha, Hoilett.

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