Rangers brushed aside by clinical Everton

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Everton 4 QPR 0

Nikica Jelavic, a transfer target for QPR, scored twice and missed a penalty as they made a swift exit from the FA Cup.

Ross Barkley and Seamus Coleman also found the net for Everton in a one-sided third-round clash at Goodison Park, where keeper Julio Cesar made his first appearance for Rangers this season.

Cesar was certainly kept busy, saving from Jelavic at his near post and gathering shots from Barkley and Gareth Barry before the home side eventually opened the scoring.

But that deserved breakthrough came after Gary O’Neil missed a golden chance to put QPR ahead against the run of play, inexplicably failing to connect with Danny Simpson’s 24th-minute cross.

Rangers were soon under pressure again and Cesar produced a fine save from Barkley, with Leon Osman failing to hit the target from the rebound.

But the Brazilian could do nothing when Barkley found the net after being found by Bryan Oviedo’s clever pass.

Worse followed for Rangers after Karl Henry, not helped by Matt Phillips’ poor pass, was robbed by Barry and the ball broke to Jelavic, who fired home from near the edge of the penalty area.

Cesar was called into action again early in the second half, saving well from Coleman after possession was given away once more, this time by O’Neil.

Jelavic had the simple task of nudging in the third after being found unmarked by Oviedo’s cross

And the Croatian striker, making his first start since September, was given the chance to complete his hat-trick when Cesar brought down Oviedo.

However, he hit the bar while attempting to cheekily chip home the spot-kick, and Steven Naismith headed the rebound straight at Cesar.

But the outstanding Coleman’s no-nonsense finish – a cracking 20-yard strike on 76 minutes – made it four.

And there would have been a fifth had Clint Hill not produced a double goal-line clearance, denying first Naismith and then Jelavic.

QPR: Cesar, Simpson, Onuoha, Hill, Assou-Ekotto, Traore (Kranjcar 45), Phillips, Barton, Henry (Johnson 58), O’Neil, Austin (Benayoun 76).
Subs not used: Murphy, Dunne, Onyewu, Zamora.

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