Barton sent off as QPR lose to Leicester

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QPR 0 Leicester City 1

Joey Barton was sent off as Jamie Vardy’s goal gave Leicester victory in the battle of the Championship title chasers.

Vardy struck four minutes before half-time, collecting David Nugent’s header and firing beyond Rob Green into the far corner.

And leaders QPR were reduced to 10 men when Barton was booked for an 85th-minute challenge and then quickly shown another yellow card, suggesting he was dismissed for dissent.

The first half was dominated by Rangers – who were twice denied by goal-line clearances – and interrupted by a squirrel on the pitch.

But City, who started the day in third place, now only trail Harry Redknapp’s side on goal difference after inflicting their opponents’ first home league defeat of the season.

Leicester were on the back foot early on and Kasper Schmeichel comfortably saved from Gary O’Neil following Matt Phillips’ low cross before keeping out a stinging drive from Niko Kranjcar.

And after ‘Suarez’, as the squirrel was dubbed by the home fans, halted play for a second time, Clint Hill’s header from Phillips’ corner was cleared off the line by Paul Konchesky.

Rangers continued to press and went close again just before the half-hour mark.

Schmeichel raced from his line to deny Charlie Austin and, after O’Neil’s attempt to score from the rebound was cleared off the line by Liam Moore, the Foxes keeper pushed away Phillips’ follow-up.

Having weathered the storm, the visitors went ahead against the run of play.

Nugent beat Hill in the air and Vardy reacted quickly to the flick-on, getting away from Richard Dunne and finishing emphatically.

Phillips then missed a great chance to level, chipping the ball over Schmeichel and the bar after being teed up by Austin.

Redknapp replaced O’Neil with Junior Hoilett at half-time and brought recent signing Yossi Benayoun on for his debut with 20 minutes remaining.

But Rangers, who appealed in vain for penalties after Hoilett and Benayoun went down in the area, were unable to find an equaliser and almost went further behind when Matty James’ 30-yard effort hit the bar.

QPR (4-2-3-1): Green; Simpson, Dunne, Hill, Assou-Ekotto; Carroll (Benayoun 69), Barton: Phillips, Kranjcar, O’Neil (Hoilett 45); Austin.
Subs not used: Murphy; Traore, Onuoha, Jenas, Henry.

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