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QPR recorded a stunning 6-1 victory over Cardiff City at the Kiyan Prince Foundation stadium to open 2020 in emphatic fashion.
Nakhi Wells opened the scoring in the ninth minute with an unmarked header following Ebere Eze’s brilliant long range pass
Cardiff almost equalised ten minutes later when Andrew Flint’s header hit the crossbar before the Hoops doubled their advantage just before the half-hour mark.
Wells’ scooped pass over the top of the Cardiff defence was met with a Bright Osayi-Samuel volley before the latter grabbed his second and QPR’s third following a quick goal kick from Joe Lumley.
The home side then grabbed another two in the first quarter of the second period, with Wells heading home in the 48th minute before Ebere Eze made it 5-0 in the 57th.
Wells then completed his hat-trick eight minutes later, capitalising on Cardiff’s poor defensive mistake before dummying the keeper and lashing home into the empty net.
And despite the game being out of sight, QPR were unable to keep a clean sheet with Will Vaulks scoring a stoppage time consolation for Cardiff.
Key Points
Check out all the key talking points and reaction from London Football Scene below…
Key Moment
Joe Lumley’s long kick upfield for the Hoops’ third was not only a first assist for a QPR keeper since 2012 but crucially put the game to bed by the interval.
Moan of the Match
Cardiff’s stoppage time goal to prevent the Hoops from keeping a clean sheet was the only minor disappointment in an otherwise emphatic performance.
Talking Point
No-one would have seen this result coming before the game but the New Year seems to have brought a new QPR side to the fore – can they maintain it for the rest of 2020?
Man of the Match
Bright Osayi-Samuel – just the two goals, but the sheer skill and pace exhibited throughout the afternoon was simply sensational.
Tweet of the Match
Referee Watch
Darren England (South Yorkshire) – had to use his whistle more to restart the game after each goal than to blow up for fouls and bookings.
Atmosphere
The home side’s relentless performance left their fans in full voice for the majority of the game.
Verdict
A stunning performance for Mark Warbuton’s side and an excellent way to bring in a new year as well as a new decade.
