QPR Player Ratings: 9/10 looks 'season-defining' but 'passenger' 4 in big Charlton Athletic win

QPR head coach Julien Stephan picked up a huge first win of his tenure against Charlton Athletic at Loftus Road on Saturday afternoon.

The R’s needed to bounce back from a 7-1 thrashing against Coventry City last weekend and did so with a gritty performance against their London rivals.

Paul Smyth opened the scoring for the west London outfit before Rob Apter levelled for the Addicks shortly after the break. A brilliant solo Koki Saito goal put the hosts back in front before Richard Kone made sure of all three points in injury time. Here’s how the QPR players rated.

QPR player ratings

GK: Joe Walsh, 5

It’s becoming a bit of a situation in between the sticks at Loftus Road. Walsh looked eager to make his mark today, letting out a booming call to claim an early long Addicks ball but didn’t really settle. The keeper wasn’t the only one to blame for that strange Charlton Athletic goal but it certainly didn’t look good, and he had Loftus Road moaning when taking too long to distribute.

LB: Rhys Norrington-Davies, 8

That was a nice debut from the Sheffield United loan man. A welcome feeling to have a confident and experienced left-back in the squad. Came close to marking his first outing with a goal when forcing a good save from Kaminski with a header on the stroke of half time.

CB: Amadou Mbengue, 6

An exciting player to watch. Went on a driving run in the second half which earned huge applause from Loftus Road and some solid work defensively too, but there are errors in his play to be ironed out, a very risky challenge on Kelman late on lucky not to result in a second yellow.

CB: Liam Morrison, 7

A less hair-raising outing than his fellow centre-back. His usual self.

RB: Jimmy Dunne, 6

Never quite looked like he had the better of Tyreece Campbell on that flank. Saw yellow for pushing over the Addicks man on the edge of the box in the first half and was beaten by him after the break for the leveller.

CM: Nicolas Madsen, 4

A passenger at the most crucial stages of the game and that can’t keep happening. There’s a player here - just before half time he pinged a brilliant ball forward into the path of Smyth but so much more of that is needed.

CM: Jonathan Varane, 7

A busy performance in the centre of the park, covering plenty of ground.

QPR powered by 9/10 talisman

LW: Paul Smyth, 9

Was the most dangerous player on the pitch in the first half before his unexpected sub at half-time. It looked to be a tough battle with Kayne Ramsay on that flank but it didn’t take long for Smyth to get the better of his man when nipping past him to calmly slot home his goal. Full of running and had the bit between his teeth.

CAM: Harvey Vale, 7

A little rushed at times but a really positive showing, looking to push his team forward from the off. Played an important part in creating the first QPR goal.

RW: Karamoko Dembele, 7

Some nice moments of influence early on with driving runs. Sloppier at other times but a decent enough outing before his sub.

ST: Richard Kone, 9

There’s certainly reason to be excited about Kone arriving at QPR. Has all the signs of a real centre forward with his work on and off the ball. Had the vision to leave Vale’s cross and unselfishly allow it to run into the path of Smyth. Deserved a goal today and finished so confidently when through one on one in injury time - could be a season-defining signing.

SUBS: Rayan Kolli (6), Koki Saito (9), Esquerdinha (6), Isaac Hayden (7).

In other news, QPR 'bid rejected' by Championship rivals as Millwall 'finalise' West Brom transfer - round-up.