QPR v Middlesbrough player ratings

Nahki Wells’ second-half strike gave QPR a deserved victory over Middlesbrough at Loftus Road. Here’s how we rated each Rangers player in the 2-1 win.

Joe Lumley: 6

While there wasn’t a great deal to keep Lumley occupied, he lacked authority when dealing with crosses and got into a tangle when he opted to punch out a Stewart Downing free-kick.

Darnell Furlong: 8

Even though he misjudged the cross that led to Boro’s equaliser, Furlong looked sound both at right-back and in central defence, making a crucial block to foil substitute Ashley Fletcher in the closing stages.

Toni Leistner: 7

The captain came to Rangers’ rescue on several occasions, getting his head to some dangerous crosses and shifted across seamlessly to the left-hand side of defence after Joel Lynch’s departure.

Joel Lynch: 6

Apart from one early lapse, when Jordan Hugill succeeded in giving him the slip, Lynch was generally solid at the back before hobbling off with a dead leg early in the second half.

Jake Bidwell: 7

Bidwell delivered a precision cross to set up Rangers’ fourth-minute opener for Pawel Wszolek and played his part at the other end of the field, throwing himself into the path of a Downing shot just before half-time.

Pawel Wszolek: 7

The winger timed his run perfectly to put Rangers ahead, then picked out Nahki Wells to score the winner. But he also wasted a chance to make it 3-1 and was fortunate not to be booked for a poor challenge on George Friend in added time.

Massimo Luongo: 7

Looked more influential as the game continued, getting his foot in where it was needed and bringing the ball out to good effect – even if some of his passing was overly ambitious.

Jordan Cousins: 7

The midfielder exuded energy and desire from the first whistle, putting down a marker with some lively tackles, but his hesitancy on the ball after switching to right-back later in the game almost proved costly.

Luke Freeman: 6

The architect of Rangers’ opening goal when he released Bidwell with a well-timed lay-off, Freeman continued to work his way into good positions, only to be let down by some inconsistent crossing.

Ebere Eze: 7

Stifled by Adam Clayton early on, Eze gradually found more space and opportunities, with his quick thinking setting up a series of counter-attacks as Rangers defended their lead during the final half-hour.

Nahki Wells: 9

Full of running, persistence and agile footwork, Wells produced a clinical finish to restore Rangers’ advantage on the hour and was unlucky not to grab at least one more goal after turning his marker with ease.

Josh Scowen: 7

Having replaced Lynch soon after half-time, Scowen was involved in several breaks from midfield and pounced on Ryan Shotton’s loose pass to set up a late opportunity that Wszolek squandered.