Phillips’ goal caps resounding QPR victory

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QPR 3 Bournemouth 0

Matt Phillips’ first goal for QPR rounded off a resounding victory at Loftus Road.

Charlie Austin and Junior Hoilett also scored for Rangers, who moved up to second in the Championship, level on points with leaders Leicester.

They went in front when Andy Johnson beat Tommy Elphick on the left and his cross was completely misjudged by Simon Francis, enabling Austin to fire home his 10th goal of the season.

Hoilett, back in the team following a hamstring problem, added the second nine minutes after the break.

Austin was unable to connect with Danny Simpson’s right-wing cross and the ball ran to the Canadian wide-man, who held off Francis to score.

And Phillips netted shortly coming on as a substitute, cleverly beating his man before blasting past former R’s keeper Lee Camp.

Hoilett’s goal eased the tension after a controversial first half that left the home fans incensed.

Their team’s 27th-minute opener should have been followed by a Rangers penalty and arguably a red card for Elphick, who was at least a yard inside the area when he scooped the ball away with his hand as Austin went past him.

Inexplicably, a free-kick was awarded and Elphick escaped without even a booking despite the incident occurring in line with the assistant referee, who was twice consulted by match official Andy Woolmer before a final decision was made.

Keen for Rangers to bounce back from Saturday’s surprise defeat at Doncaster, boss Harry Redknapp made major changes.

Redknapp switched to a 4-4-2 formation, with Johnson up front and Tom Carroll in the starting line-up along with Hoilett after the on-loan Tottenham midfielder’s recovery from an ankle injury.

Niko Kranjcar, Phillips and Jermaine Jenas were dropped to the bench.

Once they got into their stride after a lacklustre start, Rangers never looked back after Austin’s third goal in as many matches.

And they will hope Phillips’ 77th-minute goal is a sign of things to come, with the winger having struggled for fitness and form since his summer move from Blackpool.

QPR (4-4-2): Green; Simpson, Dunne, Hill, Assou-Ekotto; O’Neil (Traore 81), Barton, Carroll, Hoilett (Phillips 73), Johnson (Jenas 73), Austin.
Subs not used: Murphy; Kranjcar, Henry, Young.

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