Albion’s arrival to Loftus Road was delayed due to traffic congestion meaning the kick off was delayed by some ten minutes.
Clarke made two changes to the side which beat Norwich a few days earlier – Youssouf Mulumbu recalled in midfield and Marc-Antonie Fortune picked wide right. Graham Dorrans and Peter Odemwingie the men to miss out.
First half
The first 30 minutes resulted in few or no chances of real significance. But the game was woken by a 30 yard strike by Chris Brunt on the half hour mark – a low hard drive to Rob Green's left which gave him no chance.
The goal brought both sides to life. Morrison followed up the goal with a shot from distance which just went over Green's bar. However a minute later, M'bia gave Foster his first real scare of the game with a 20 yard drive which just keeper had to palm around his right hand post.
Five minutes before half time, Djibril Cisse won a free kick from a nothing challenge from Zoltan Gera – which he actually won the ball – but Taarabt's free kick went wide of Foster's right post.
After the break
There was an early chance for QPR in the second half but Stephane M'bia header flew over the bar after Taarabt’s cross. But it was Albion who would extend their lead – somewhat controversially. Brunt's corner whipped just under Rob Green's bar was headed upwards and goalwards by Mackie. Green – standing behind the line – pushed the ball into his own net whilst it Fortunè appeared to be backing in to him.
A corner just before the hour from Taarabt landed straight in Foster's arms – it highlighted just how relatively ineffective QPR had been. Albion went straight up the other end with swift counter attack which ended up with a Lukaku’s close-range shot being blocked by the on-rushing Green. Mulumbu’s follow up cross/shot was narrowly missed by the Belgium.
Another chance for Albion came in the 65th minute when Morrison played a superb ball through to Lukaku who hits a low narrow shot to Rob Green which the ‘keeper cleared by his left foot for a corner.
QPR then pulled a goal back from nothing in the 67th minute. M'Bia was allowed to run through the Albion midfield and play an easy through ball in Cisse who placed a cheeky dink over Foster.
A minute later, a 25 yard strike from Jamie Mackie is parried by Foster to preserve Albion's lead. QPR, for the first time on the afternoon, were starting to press more as the game went on. Steve Clarke brought on Shane with 15 minutes to go in an attempt to bring Albion back into the game.
Minutes later Brunt almost extended Albion’s lead when another long-range effort forced Green to tip over for another corner. Fortune then had a goal disallowed for offside.
QPR then came within inches of levelling but Ben Foster made a world class save to deny Cisse’s header from a corner. In time added on, Rangers then thought they should’ve have a penalty. Ridgewell jumped for a header but the ball appeared to come off his elbow and went behind for a corner. Referee Chris Foy turned away the host’s appeals.
Rangers were now throwing everything at Albion but resolute defending kept Redknapp’s men out in five minutes of stoppage time which seemed to go on forever. But, after three late corners, Albion maintained their advantage as Chris Foy blew for full time.
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