QPR suffer a thrashing at Brighton

Brighton 4 QPR 0

QPR suffered a heavy defeat at the Amex Stadium after a decent first-half showing.

Anthony Knockaert scored with a free-kick seconds before half-time and Jiri Skala lashed in the all-important second for promotion-chasing Brighton six minutes after the restart.

Connor Goldson netted their third with a header from a 73rd-minute corner by the impressive Knockaert, who scored his second and Albion’s fourth by rounding off a nice move with a shot that squirmed past Alex Smithies.

The visitors had been on top for much of the opening 45 minutes and Conor Washington, restored to the starting line-up and still looking for his first QPR goal, had an early chance to put them ahead.

Massimo Luongo’s ball into the box dropped for the striker, who turned and fired over the bar.

Rangers created other first-half openings, with Alejandro Faurlin shooting over and delivering a corner that was headed straight at keeper David Stockdale by Clint Hill.

Stockdale was also called into action to keep out a shot from Matt Phillips after the QPR wide-man had closed down Bruno.

Brighton barely troubled the R’s before James Wilson blasted narrowly wide 10 minutes before the break.

Rangers responded strongly and Phillips sent a shot just over as they continued to threaten on the counter-attack.

Albion finished the first half strongly, though, and keeper Smithies was well positioned to save Lewis Dunk’s header from Knockaert’s corner.

But Smithies was unable to rescue his team after Nedum Onuoha was adjudged to have fouled Skalak. Knockaert beautifully curled the resulting free-kick into the top corner.

And Skalak doubled the Seagulls’ lead with a stunning strike when he pounced on Grant Hall’s headed clearance and rifled home on the half-volley from 30 yards out.

Boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink responded by making changes, sending on Sebastian Polter for Junior Hoilett and then Tjaronn Chery for Hill before replacing the frustrated Washington with Nasser El Khayati.

But Brighton’s third goal then ended any lingering hope of a Rangers comeback, although they almost pulled one back when Polter headed wide.