Neil Warnock enjoyed a winning return to Sheffield United as QPR claimed a deserved 3-0 success.
QPR cruise to victory at Bramall Lane
Neil Warnock enjoyed a winning return to Bramall Lane as QPR claimed a deserved 3-0 success against his former club Sheffield United.
The Rs, who have made an impressive start to the new Championship season, were three goals to the good with just 23 minutes on the clock.
Hogan Ephraim set Warnock's men on their way after just 11 minutes before setting up Jamie Mackie to head home. The match was virtually over as a contest soon after as Adel Taarabt slotted home from the penalty spot after being brought down by Steve Simonsen.
While United boss Kevin Blackwell's programme notes had promised a "spirit of renewed hope and anticipation" his side collapsed as QPR started a league campaign with back-to-back wins for the first time in nine years.
Heading into the match, Blackwell made four changes to the starting XI that were embarrassed by League One outfit Hartlepool in midweek, while Warnock started fellow former United pair Shaun Derry and Paddy Kenny.
Abuse
The latter was making his first return to Bramall Lane since ending his eight-year spell at the club and was welcomed by a barrage of abuse.
The chorus only grew louder as the 32-year-old trotted towards the Kop but soon the home support had other gripes to shout about.
United felt striker Jamie Ward had been hauled down in the penalty area but referee Andy Woolmer waved away the protests, allowing QPR to break forward and, ultimately, the deadlock.
The visitors' rapid counter-attack put Ephraim free down the left and he duly jogged forward before slotting under keeper Simonsen in the 11th minute.
QPR continued to threaten down the flanks and soon doubled their advantage when Ephraim delivered a superb left-wing cross for Mackie to stoop in and header home at the back post.
Space
Rangers continued to exploit the space gifted to them down United's visibly vulnerable right side and soon increased the deficit to three goals.
Again Ephraim was allowed to waltz forward and although Simonsen managed to parry his shot, the keeper's attempts to grab the ball saw him trip the incoming Taarabt, with the Moroccan scoring the resulting penalty.
The third goal resulted in calls for the heads of both Blackwell and referee Woolmer, with the latter continuing to frustrate Blades fans by turning down an obvious penalty as the half came to a close.
The home support's rendition of their Greasy Chip Butty anthem was notably quieter after the break, although renditions of "Blackwell out" became more raucous throughout the second half.
The Blades did up the tempo and occasionally managed to challenge the Rangers back-line, although Kenny was more than a match for their sporadic efforts as QPR rode to a resounding away victory.
