Slick goals give QPR victory at Bolton

Steve McClaren

Bolton 1 QPR 2


Goals from Luke Freeman and Ebere Eze gave QPR their first away win under Steve McClaren.

And the passing game manager McClaren has looked to implement was evident for both goals.

Freeman gave Rangers a deserved lead on 26 minutes and Eze finished emphatically 11 minutes into the second half.

Josh Magennis pulled a goal back for Bolton with a free-kick, but Rangers were deserved winners and have taken seven points from their past three games, steadying the ship after a dismal start to McClaren’s reign.

Freeman was involved in the build-up to the opening goal, continuing his run into the box to score after Nahki Wells had exchanged passes with Eze and pulled the ball back for the Rangers midfielder.

Freeman showed great composure to dodge a couple of defenders and calmly side-foot beyond keeper Ben Alnwick.

There was more excellent link-up play for the second goal, with Freeman and Tomer Hemed combining nicely before Eze fired home.

On-loan strikers Wells and Hemed caused Bolton problems from the start.

Wells was unable to get the ball fully under control after being teed up by Hemed’s early lay-off and his shot was eventually scrambled to safety by the Wanderers defence.

Hemed headed Angel Rangel’s right-wing cross into the side netting as QPR continued to threaten, and Wells also created a chance for Eze, who blasted over shortly before Freeman’s goal.

Keeper Joe Lumley failed to keep out Magennis’ free-kick but atoned with a vital late save to deny Christian Doidge and prevent an equaliser.

QPR: Lumley, Rangel, Leistner, Lynch, Bidwell, Cousins, Freeman (Scowen 83), Luongo, Eze, Hemed (Cameron 73), Wells (Smith 87).
Subs not used: Ingram, Osayi-Samuel, Baptiste, Wszolek.