Rangers sunk by late Southampton winner

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QPR 0 Southampton 1

Saido Mane scored an injury-time winner at Loftus Road to increase QPR’s relegation fears.

Mane collected Maya Yoshida’s pass and turned away from Nedum Onuoha before smashing into the roof of the net from eight yards out.

A brilliant second-half save by Fraser Forster had prevented Rangers from taking the lead.

Joey Barton’s 73rd-minute shot was diverted towards goal by an unmarked Charlie Austin but the Southampton keeper showed terrific reflexes to jab the ball over his bar.

The Saints had gone close in the first half when striker Graziano Pelle volleyed James Ward-Prowse’s right-wing corner against the woodwork.

With Chris Ramsey and Kevin Bond in caretaker charge following the departure of manager Harry Redknapp, Adel Taarabt was included in the QPR starting line-up, while Matt Phillips and Armand Traore were deployed on the flanks and Leroy Fer shifted into midfield.

Taarabt caused Southampton some problems but the visitors always looked a threat, with Eljero Elia and the impressive Mane firing wide before Pelle hit the bar.

Taarabt was replaced shortly after the hour mark by Mauro Zarate, who went close late on.

The on-loan West Ham man cut in from the left before shooting over from near the edge of the penalty area.

After Mane broke the deadlock, Rangers had the ball in the net following a scramble but the goal was ruled out, seemingly for a foul on Forster.

QPR: Green; Onuoha, Caulker, Dunne (Vargas 82), Hill, Phillips, Barton, Fer, Traore (Isla 72), Taarabt (Zarate 62), Austin.
Subs not used: McCarthy, Kranjcar, Henry, Zamora.

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