Birmingham v QPR player ratings

QPR thrashed Birmingham in a resounding win at St Andrews. Here’s how we rated each Rangers player in the 4-1 victory.

Alex Smithies: 7

Well protected by his defence and was typically solid when called upon.

Darnell Furlong: 7

Did well on his return to the starting line-up. Defensively sound and eager to get forward too.

Nedum Onuoha: 8

The skipper had an excellent game at the heart of the Rangers defence, where he won countless challenges and headers.

Joel Lynch: 8

Ditto. Lynch was also rock-solid at centre-back, throwing himself in harm’s way on numerous occasions.

Jake Bidwell: 7

Like Furlong on the opposite side, Bidwell was reliable for Rangers in both halves of the pitch.

Pawel Wszolek: 7

Another R’s player who performed really well. The Pole went close to scoring and later set up Rangers’ third goal with a cross to Idrissa Sylla.

Grant Hall: 8

An outstanding display from Hall, who was always quick to engage Birmingham’s forwards and sniffed out danger time and time again. Saved the day with a couple of superb challenges – one after a rare error by Ryan Manning – and went close to scoring with a header in the second half. Great stuff.

Ryan Manning: 8

Brilliant. Set up chances for Wszolek and Hall in a thoroughly impressive display in which he showed an excellent range of passing and a magnificent work-rate.

Luke Freeman: 8

A fine full debut. His skill and movement caused Birmingham problems throughout and the way he linked up with Matt Smith from the opening whistle set the tone for Rangers’ commanding performance – and his delivery from a corner for Smith’s opening goal put them in the driving seat.

Conor Washington: 8

Got through a phenomenal amount of running, always looked lively, and was rewarded with a third goal in five matches – an emphatic finish early in the second half.

Matt Smith: 8

Scored his first goal for the club – a header from Freeman’s left-wing corner – and Birmingham were simply unable to contain him in the air. Replaced late on by Sylla, who scored along with fellow late substitute Yeni Ngbakoto.