QPR end Championship winless run with Chair and Dickie netting in rare win at Ashton Gate
Queens Park Rangers put in an impressive performance to see off struggling Bristol City as they ended a run of three games without a win.
Early goals from Ilias Chair and Rob Dickie in the first quarter of the match were enough to beat a Robins side which made three substitutes within the opening half hour.
QPR, who had not won at Ashton Gate in 18 years, could have won by more – their seventh win in 2021.
Hoops boss Mark Warburton told QPR’s website: “We started the game quite slopp[ily] in the opening five or 10 minutes but then get a deserved goal.
“We wanted to get crosses into the box early, and get forward runners, and we did that. We looked good, got the goals and we looked composed for long periods.
“We managed the game really well and it was nice to pick up another clean sheet, too. I know I say this often, but the fine margins at this level are so important.”
QPR opened the scoring after just 11 minutes when Ilias Chair nodded home Todd Kane’s early cross for his sixth goal of the Championship campaign.
Dickie doubled their lead after 22 minutes when Yoann Barbet’s effort came back off the post, which the defender fired in from the rebound. He has scored home and away against Bristol City this season, having found the net in the 2-1 reverse last December.
The R’s controlled proceedings for long periods and looked comfortable, while defender Jordy de Wijs made his long-awaited debut.
De Wijs joined on loan from Hull City in January until the end of the season, but his debut had been delayed by injury. He started at the back alongside Barbet and Dickie before being replaced just past the hour mark with Osman Kakay.
Warburton added: “When we played Bristol City at our place earlier in the season, we produced our best 45 minutes that we had produced all year but lost the game 2-1. Today, we came here and the performance was at a lesser level but we win it 2-0!
“It’s all about fine margins, being ruthless in front of goal, getting your rewards and defending your goal with a real solidity. We did that today.”
PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD
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