HOW THEY RATED
STARTING FORMATION: 3-4-2-1 MARKO MAROSI: 7
His first job was to pick the ball out of the back of the net but the keeper was well beaten by a perfectly directed header that game him no chance. Pulled off a good save shortly after to deny Rangers a second, and just before the break to deny the home side what would have been a third. Made another decent stop early in the second half to deny Ilias Chair but will be furious with the third, beaten at his near post before making a terrific late stop to deny a fourth.
Inadvertently headed into his own net from a near-post corner to double the home side’s lead and saw a pass intercepted for another chance before the break. Limped off injured in the second half.
Caught out on the overlap for the early goal and had a busy afternoon at the back as City were out-classed at Loftus Road.
Didn’t get close enough to Willock for the early goal and failed to stop Chair for the third.
Out of position as City got caught down the left for the first goal and simply couldn’t cope with the likes of Lee Wallace, Charlie Austin and Chair who ran riot down the left in the first 45 minutes. Improved after the break as an outlet down the left but didn’t show enough overall in Fankaty Dabo’s absence.
Struggled to get into the game and failed to test the keeper when he had the chance from a first half stoppage time free-kick from just outside the box. Replaced by youngster Eccles for the last 15 minutes.
Most of City’s play came through the experienced head who was arguably the pick of the bunch at the break.
Like Hyam, allowed Willock a free header for the opening goal. Did OK overall but the game had gone by the break.
Worked hard and ran his socks off but spent the first half chasing shadows as QPR dominated.
Made a shaky start when he gave the ball away to Osman Kakay whose centre provided a clear-cut chance for Austin who was denied by Marosi. Worked hard but failed to impose himself. Displayed decent movement but cut a lone figure up-front on his own. Inevitably tired and went off just before the hour.
MICHAEL ROSE: 4 LEO OSTIGARD: 5 DOM HYAM: 5 JULIEN DACOSTA: 4 GUS HAMER: 5 MATTY JAMES: 6 SAM MCCALLUM: 5 JAMIE ALLEN: 4 JORDAN SHIPLEY: 4 MATTY GODDEN: 5.5 SUBSTITUTES:
VIKTOR GYOKERES (57 mins, for Shipley): 6
Put in plenty of hard running from the second he stepped on the pitch and linked up nicely with Walker. Headed narrowly wide and looked a threat. TYLER WALKER (57 mins, for Godden): 5.5
Showed good movement and got a decent shot off, only to be blocked in a lively late cameo from the striker. CALLUM O’HARE (57 mins, for Allen): 6
As lively as ever, injecting a bit of urgency in the final third, albeit not bearing fruit.
JOSH PASK (65 mins, for Rose): 5 Had his work cut out but filled in reasonably well.
JOSH ECCLES (76 mins, for Hamer): 5
Handed a late cameo for experience and showed no fear as he did his best in the time he had.
Subs (not used): Ben Wilson (GK), Jordon Thompson, Liam Kelly, Amadou Bakayoko.
QPR (3-4-2-1): Joe Lumley; Rob Dickie, Geoff Cameron, Yoann Barbet; Osman Kakay, Ilias Chair (75 mins, for Albert Adomah), Sam Field, Lee Wallace; Stefan Johansen, Chris Willock (65 mins for George Thomas); Charlie Austin. Subs (not used): Deny Dieng (GK), Todd Kane, Macauley Bonne, Lyndon Dykes, Dominic Ball, Faysal Bettache, Charlie Kelman.
QPR: Willock (2), Rose (OG, 22), Chair (68)
REFEREE: Jeremy Simpson
NEXT UP: Bristol City (at St Andrew’s) Monday, April 5 (3pm).
GOALS: