Latest: QPR 2 Bournemouth 0 – Hoilett strikes for Rangers at Loftus Road

Goals from Charlie Austin and the recalled Junior Hoilett put QPR in command at Loftus Road.

Rangers went in front when Andy Johnson beat Tommy Elphick on the left and his cross was completely misjudged by Simon Francis, enabling Austin to fire home his 10th goal of the season.

Hoilett, back in the team following a hamstring problem, added the second nine minutes after the break.

Austin was unable to connect with Danny Simpson’s right-wing cross and the ball ran to the Canadian winger, who held off Francis to score.

That eased the tension after a controversial first half which left the home fans incensed.

Their team’s 27th-minute opener should have been followed by a Rangers penalty and arguably a red card for Elphick, who was at least a yard inside the area when he scooped the ball away with his hand as Austin went past him.

Inexplicably, a free-kick was awarded and Elphick escaped without even a booking despite the incident occurring in line with the assistant referee, who was twice consulted by match official Andy Woolmer before a final decision was made.

Keen for Rangers to bounce back from Saturday’s surprise defeat at Doncaster, boss Harry Redknapp made major changes.

Redknapp switched to a 4-4-2 formation, with Johnson up front and Tom Carroll in the starting line-up along with Hoilett following the on-loan Tottenham midfielder’s recovery from an ankle injury.

Niko Kranjcar, Matt Phillips and Jermaine Jenas, all ineffective at Doncaster, were dropped to the bench.

Once they got into their stride after a lacklustre start, Rangers’ new-look side began to dominate.

And Hoilett’s goal left them within sight of another home win.

QPR (4-4-2): Green; Simpson, Dunne, Hill, Assou-Ekotto; Carroll, Barton, O’Neil, Hoilett, Johnson, Austin.
Subs: Murphy; Traore, Phillips, Jenas, Kranjcar, Henry, Young.

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