Premier League: QPR 1 Southampton 3

17 November 2012 18:23

QPR remain bottom of the table after a 3-1 home defeat against Southampton on Saturday.

Goals from Rickie Lambert, Jason Puncheon and an own goal from Anton Ferdinand consigned the winless Londoners to their third loss of the season at Loftus Road.

An impressive first 45 minutes from the Saints left QPR chasing a two-goal deficit going into the second half, as a header from Lambert and a sweet strike from Puncheon left QPR in a sorry state at half-time.

They were unable to mount a comeback in the second half, despite an early goal from Junior Hoilett, as Southampton continued to cause the Londoners more problems and an own goal from Ferdinand ended their hopes of picking up a first Premier League win of the season.

Southampton started with the better of the action with two chances in the first 10 minutes, Lallana first blazing over after a lovely move and, just minutes later, an in-swinging cross from Puncheon found its way on to the post.

Twenty minutes in and, following slack defensive play from QPR, another chance fell QPR's way. From a corner, Lambert was left unmarked at the back post but the 30-year-old was unable to direct his header past Julio Cesar as the Brazilian tipped it wide.

From the ensuing corner, however, Southampton found the breakthrough. QPR were unable to clear their lines and the ball found its way to Cork in the area - a shot from the midfielder was skewed wide but Puncheon was at the back post for what seemed like a routine tap-in.

However, Jose Bosingwa thwarted the winger with a goalline clearance but, atoning for his earlier miss, Lambert was there to head home the rebound.

With the end of the first half already in sight, Puncheon added to QPR's dismay when, following excellent work from Nathaniel Clyne down the right and finding himself with time to spare on the edge of the area, the winger fired home.

QPR started the second half strongly as Djibril Cisse forced a good save from Gazzaniga following a Taarabt cross.

It was just minutes later before another excellent Taarabt cross forced QPR back into the game; Taarabt picking up the ball on the left wing and delivering a dangerous inswinger. It proved too dangerous for Gazzaniga as he came and found himself nowhere near the ball, leaving Hoilett with a simple header.

Following the goal, Southampton asserted themselves on the game once more as QPR's defence looked susceptible.

With Hughes' side struggling to trouble the away side, Yoshida forced a great save from Cesar in the 75th minute, following yet another troublesome corner.

Their dominance paid off in the 82nd minute as a short corner caught QPR unawares, resulting in a low ball across the penalty area that Ferdinand could only divert into his own goal.