Ipswich v QPR player ratings

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QPR produced a clinical second-half display to win at Portman Road. Here’s how we rated the players in their 3-1 victory against Mick McCarthy’s Ipswich. 

Rob Green: 7
Produced a couple of important saves before Rangers went in front, denying Luke Chambers during a goalmouth scramble and later reacting quickly to grab the loose ball after failing to hold a shot.

Danny Simpson: 8
Always a useful attacking outlet on the right-hand side and was excellent defensively too. Prevented a goal by throwing himself at Luke Hyam’s follow-up after Green’s save from Chambers.

Richard Dunne: 7
Very solid at the back for Rangers. Reacted quickly to usher David McGoldrick away from goal after the Ipswich forward had robbed Clint Hill.

Clint Hill: 7
Lost out to McGoldrick when trying to dribble past him but wasn’t helped by Gary O’Neil’s loose pass. Was otherwise faultless and won a number of important challenges.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto: 7
Effective without breaking sweat – and when Rangers win that’s a good thing. Has obvious quality but don’t bank on him in 50-50 challenges, or even 60-40 ones.

Joey Barton: 8
Rangers won the game without him in the second half but were still in the game in part thanks to Barton, who helped steer them through a difficult opening half an hour even after picking up a thigh injury in the opening minutes. He battled on despite being in pain, driving his team forward and closing down brilliantly.

Tom Carroll: 7
Showed notable maturity after the loss of Barton, using the ball sensibly alongside the less technically sound Karl Henry.

Gary O’Neil: 8
Had a couple of iffy moments early on but ended up having a very good game. Created first-half opportunities with crosses from both flanks and was later on hand to tap into an empty net.

Niko Kranjcar: 8
Scored a lovely goal, evading three challenges before finding the far corner of the net. His sharpness has improved and the result was a fine exhibition of skill and link-up play. Finally combined effectively with Charlie Austin, with the pair showing how Rangers’ system – which is actually full of attacking intent – is supposed to work.

Yossi Benayoun: 6
An improved display, although he might have scored had he reacted quicker to a low cross from O’Neil in the first half and he still looks a yard off the pace. That said, he ran 80 yards to block a shot after Ipswich broke following a Rangers corner.

Charlie Austin: 8
His linking up with Kranjcar summed up Austin’s season: it hasn’t always been easy for him, and he’s had to adapt his game, but he has stuck at it and found a way to make it happen. Has always been willing to work hard off the ball, but here that work was more measured and effective. Was disappointed not to covert a couple of chances, but his goalscoring ability isn’t in doubt.

Karl Henry: 7
Came on and battled in a tough away game, which is precisely what he was signed to do and has now done in key matches at Leeds, Bolton and Ipswich. Limited, but has a role to play during a 46-game season.

Armand Traore: 7
Did well after coming on midway through the second half and scored his first QPR goal, reacting quickly after Tommy Smith’s error and bundling the ball home.

Ipswich
A good side who caused problems in the first half and seemed to be in a strong position after Rangers lost Barton. But, while the visitors were impressive in the second half, they were helped along by their opponents, who folded after Kranjcar’s opener.

Man of the match: Kranjcar

 

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