QPR skipper praised after impressive return

Boss Mark Hughes paid tribute to Joey Barton after the QPR midfielder returned to captain the side to their victory over Arsenal.

Dropped for last weekend’s defeat at Sunderland, Barton was restored to the starting line-up and was a key player in Rangers’ shock 2-1 win.

“I thought Joey was different class today,” Hughes declared.

“He got a lot of stick last time out because of his performance and he acknowledged it wasn’t good enough.

“Today the crowd willed him into a top-class performance and that’s what we got from him.

“He stood up and was man enough to say ‘This is who I am and this is what I’m about’.”

Samba Diakite’s winner – his first goal for the club – gave Rangers a potentially crucial three points in their battle to stay up.

It was a sweet moment for the Mali midfielder, who suffered the disappointment of being sent off on his R’s debut

Hughes added: “He (Diakite) is learning to understand the Premier League.

“He came in and was very green and didn’t understand how games here are refereed, but he does now.”