QPR’s winless Championship run extended to six matches as Burnley inflict fourth straight defeat

BY MOHAMUD AHMED

QPR missed the opportunity to move into the Championship play-off places as they fell to a 3-0 defeat to Burnley today at Loftus Road.

Goals from Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Ian Maatsen and Nathan Tella handed the R’s a fourth straight league defeat and they are now winless in six in the competition.

The opening 20 seconds saw the R’s denied a penalty shout after Arjanet Muric brought down George Thomas but referee Peter Bankes was unmoved.

Burnley broke the deadlock when former Charlton winger Johann Gudmundsson coolly placed his free-kick into the net to make it 1-0 in the 19th minute.

QPR suffered another setback on the stroke of half-time.

Seny Dieng’s save to deny Vitinho fell to the feet of Maatsen and the Dutchman fired in the rebound to make it 2-0 to Burnley.

Sam Field’s rocket early in the second half was smartly saved by Arjanet Muric and despite the R’s persistence, the home side were unable to find the back of the net

Jimmy Dunne’s poor attempt to chest it back to goalkeeper Dieng gifted Burnley their third goal of the day. Tella’s interception saw the attacker adjust his body and finish it from the tightest of angles to make it 3-0 in the 71st minute.

Interim boss Paul Hall could not hide his disappointment at full-time. He told the South London Press: “The first half was poor really, to give a team like Burnley a headstart like we did, it was always going to be a difficult day.

“Second half, we made a couple of changes to try and play 4-3-3 in and we wrestled back some possession and created a few chances.”

Hall also vented his frustration at the failure to award his side a spot-kick decision. He said: “For me, that’s a penalty. I’m not happy with the decision and it affected us.

“I’ve been in that situation many times and very rarely have I not been given a penalty or not seen one given for a situation like that, the keeper has come out and made contact.

“I cannot see why a decision was not given in our favour. I just hope it doesn’t happen us to again as it wasn’t a nice feeling.

“That was our moment to change the game.”

On his future as interim boss, Hall said: “Well I’ve just been doing interviews and I haven’t spoken to Les [Ferdinand] or Lee [Hoos].

“I’m just happy to support the club under the guise of what I’ve been told, which is that they’ve asked me to do the game today.

“The players will be in tomorrow.”

QPR head to Deepdale next Saturday to take on Preston North End.

PICTURES: ROB AVIS