Austin plays but QPR suffer opening-day defeat at Charlton

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Charlton 2 QPR 0

Charlie Austin could not prevent QPR suffering a losing start to life back in the Championship.

Tony Watt put Charlton ahead seven minutes into the second half when he got the better of James Perch and fired past Rob Green at the keeper’s near post.

And straight after Alejandro Faurlin came on as a 71st-minute substitute for his first-team comeback after a third cruciate injury, Morgan Fox belted in the Addicks’ second goal.

Austin, widely tipped to move before the start of the campaign, linked up well with Tjaronn Chery in the first half.

Chery was one of four debutants in a starting line-up which included fellow summer signings Perch, Massimo Luongo and Paul Konchesky.

Austin had a couple of early attempts on goal, firing wide after dispossessing El-Hadji Ba and then seeing a deflected shot flash wide following Chery’s right-wing corner.

The pair combined again when Austin laid the ball off to the Dutch midfielder, whose powerful drive was palmed away by keeper Nick Pope.

Pope produced a five save to deny Matt Phillips in the opening minute of the second half and Rangers seemed to be turning the screw.

But Watt, on as a substitute, opened the scoring somewhat against the run of play and QPR then found themselves under sustained pressure.

That prompted boss Chris Ramsey to replace Chery and Karl Henry with another new signing, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, and fans favourite Faurlin.

However, Charlton doubled their lead almost immediately and were able to comfortably see out the remainder of the match.

Austin, having been mostly ineffective, was substituted late on.

QPR (4-2-3-1): Green; Perch, Onuoha, Hill, Konchesky; Henry (Faurlin 71) Luongo; Phillips, Chery (Emmanuel-Thomas 71), Mackie; Austin (Polter 84)
Subs not used: Lumley, Hall, Hoilett, Doughty.

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