QPR moved 10 points clear of the relegation zone by beating Wigan at Loftus Road. Here’s how we rated each Rangers player in their 2-1 victory.
Unusually, failed to save a spot-kick. But he was excellent again, pulling off a trio of saves, most notably a stunning reflex-stop to deny Jake Buxton just before half-time.
His performance was tidy if unspectacular, although he was unable to link up with Pawel Wszolek along the right flank as effectively as in recent games.
The skipper did a decent job of keeping Wigan’s Will Grigg quiet throughout, as well as putting his body on the line with a crucial block to deny Omar Bogle a second goal.
He made little contribution to the game before taking a knock to the face and making way for Kazenga LuaLua, which forced a change of formation for the R’s and left the team looking more balanced.
Although he made some crucial challenges, Lynch was turned too often and struggled against Bogle, who he brought down for the penalty.
Poor positioning by the left-back contributed to the Latics’ goal, although he did get forward to good effect.
This was undoubtedly one of the winger’s quieter performances – he drifted out of the game for long periods and it was perhaps surprising that he completed the 90 minutes.
The young midfielder displayed plenty of energy again, getting the tackles in with relish although his inexperience sometimes showed when he gave the ball away.
It was Freeman’s mistake that led to Wigan’s equaliser, but he generally competed well and was always keen to have a pop at goal – even if his accuracy was lacking on this occasion.
The Rangers centre-forward put in a good shift again and took his early goal well, with more signs that he and Conor Washington are starting to build a good understanding up front.
It’s now four goals in six appearances for Washington, who looked lively throughout. He left Buxton for dead to set up Smith’s opener and then rifled in a precision finish for what turned out to be the winner.
The winger, who replaced Hall just before the half-hour mark, brought pace and trickery to the left flank. He might have scored with an early thunderbolt that sent Stephen Warnock spinning, before teeing up Washington’s winner.
He looked lively after replacing Washington for the final quarter of the game and attempted to repeat his strike at St Andrew’s, but was well off target this time.
This post was last modified on 22/02/2017