Half-time: Newcastle 0 QPR 0

Hard-working QPR went in goalless at half-time after a resolute defensive showing at St. James’ Park.

Rangers keeper Rob Green comfortably denied Remy Cabella and twice kept out efforts from Ryan Taylor, while his back four kept the in-form Magpies at bay with blocks and headed clearances.

At the other end, QPR fashioned some half chances of their own, with Charlie Austin firing at Tim Krul and Richard Dunne’s header forcing the Dutchman into a backpedalling save.

Rangers were almost embarrassed early on when Steven Caulker, under pressure from Jack Colback, played a short backpass and Green’s clearance cannoned off the Newcastle midfielder and dropped wide of the post.

Cabella was the first to test Green, with a low shot from 15 yards that the QPR keeper fielded without alarm.

Rangers’ first flash of inspiration came from Austin, when he dispossessed Paul Dummett and then fired an angled shot across goal.

Ryan Taylor almost marked his first Premier League start since March 2012 with a goal when he was picked out on the edge of the box by Cabella’s corner, but Green tipped his effort over the bar.

Cabella and Taylor combined again a few minutes later but Green saved the latter’s shot. Sadly, Taylor later went off with an injury and was visibly upset that his return had been curtailed.

As half-time approached, Austin shot straight at Krul while at the other end Daryl Janmaat volleyed wide.

Krul was called into action when Dunne got his head to a Joey Barton corner, and as it looked like looping under the crossbar, the Dutchman tipped it over.

QPR: Green, Onuoha, Caulker, Dunne, Yun, Barton, Henry, Sandro, Fer, Zamora, Austin.
Subs: McCarthy, Traore, Phillips, Isla, Mutch, Kranjcar, Hoilett.

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