Queens Park Rangers enjoyed a third straight Championship win with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Championship leaders Leicester City on Saturday. Ilias Chair and Sinclair Armstrong got the goals for the away side on an excellent afternoon at the King Power Stadium, with Ben Nelson's effort proving little more than a consolation.
Marti Cifuentes made three changes for the trip to the King Power, with Sam Field, Lucas Andersen and Lyndon Dykes coming in for Jack Colback, Joe Hodge and Michael Frey. The travelling fans expected a difficult start and so it came to pass, with Leicester dominating possession and creating chances.
Patson Daka called Asmir Begovic into action inside five minutes, the Zambian striker squeezing through Steve Cook and Jimmy Dunne before his deflected effort was parried behind. Leicester midfielder Dennis Praet was forced off on 14 minutes and that seemed to kick QPR into gear as they grew into the game.
And the visitors managed to take a surprise lead on 38 minutes, with Chair tapping into an empty net from close-range after Chris Willock had played in Dykes. QPR played out the rest of the half in relative comfort and even managed to double their lead just before the hour mark.
Armstrong had only been on for a matter of minutes before making it 2-0, with Field knocking down a free-kick and the forward firing home. That ecstasy was short-lived, however, with Foxes defender Nelson first to react after Begovic saved a long-range effort from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Despite continuing to cede possession, QPR looked relatively comfortable as the minutes ticked on, with Leicester unable to create many big chances. The Rs were allowing their hosts to rotate the ball but incisive pressure was lacking.
The full-time whistle signalled a third-straight win for Cifuentes' side, pulling them out of the relegation zone on goal difference. Here are your player ratings, courtesy of WhoScored:
1. Asmir Begovic
6.9
2. Jimmy Dunne
7.4
3. Steve Cook
6.9
4. Jake Clarke-Salter
6.6