QPR player ratings - 'Really bright' 8/10 but 'pedestrian' 5 in nervy Cambridge United victory

A midweek visit to Cambridge United in the Carabao Cup provided QPR the perfect chance to bounce back from defeat to West Brom at the weekend.

Marti Cifuentes' side still looked shaken from last weekend's defeat at the Cledara Abbey Stadium in the early minutes as the League One hosts pounced on some sloppy possession, a brave Jimmy Dunne getting his body in the way of one dangerous shot.

Fresh from opening weekend defeat themselves, the U's also looked shaky and QPR flexed their Championship experience to make the most of that after 13 minutes. The ball fell into the path of Michael Frey who, having blasted wide from a ridiculous shot from distance minutes earlier, slotted home from the edge of the box to open his account for the campaign.

The visitors should have had a second before 20 minutes as the wily Lucas Andresen nipped through the Cambridge United defence and slotted a peach of a pass across the penalty box and into the feet of Elijah Dixon-Bonner, the midfielder firing over the bar.

The hosts did have their moments, Dan Barton hitting the post from distance and Brandon Njoku forcing a reaction save from Joe Walsh with a close range header. However, unlike on Saturday, the R's found a second through Paul Smyth, the winger showing pace and determination to pinch the ball from the fingertips of Jack Stevens before poking in.

QPR looked to be cruising to victory as the second half got underway but an unnecessary edge was injected into the match when a misplaced Walsh pass found its way to Paul Digby, who didn't need a second invitation to pull one back for the hosts. The R's shot-stopper atoned for his error shortly after when dealing with a dangerous Barton, who had pounced on a through ball.

Cambridge United huffed and puffed as time ticked on, QPR living dangerously with bodies hitting the deck around the penalty box, Walsh forced into action several times. The third tier side perhaps deserved to take the game to penalties, Sullay Kaikai almost bagging a worldie with two minutes of the 90 left to play, but it is QPR who progress.

Here’s how the QPR players rated on Tuesday evening.

GK - Joe Walsh, 7

Was called into action plenty on Tuesday night and, more than not, got himself in the way of Cambridge United shots. A lot of good work, but he’ll go home thinking about the sloppy pass that led to the U’s goal.

LB - Kenneth Paal, 6

The full-back’s positioning didn’t quite feel right at times tonight but a better effort than against West Brom.

CB - Jake Clarke-Salter, 5

Should have perhaps looked more comfortable against a League One defence amid reports of Premier League suitors. Did what he needed to do but a little pedestrian at times.

CB - Liam Morrison, 7

Pretty comfortable tonight and will no doubt fight for a more regular place in the starting XI over the season.

RB - Jimmy Dunne, 8

Was a little off the pace last weekend but started sharp tonight and his physicality was dominant against the U’s. Some bright work going forwards too

CDM - Jonathan Varane, 6

Mixed bag in his first competitive start. Was a little off the pace at moments, one error allowing Barton to steal through and hit the post in the first half. However, plenty to be impressed with too - there's certainly a player here.

CDM - Elijah Dixon-Bonner, 5

Kept finding himself in some magnificent spaces on the edge of the box. Unfortunately, when the ball came to him, the midfielder’s finishing was rushed and wasteful.

LW - Alfie Lloyd, 8

Really bright showing from the winger. All of a sudden, with the two new recruits announced today, the R’s seem to have a plethora of options on the flanks.

CAM - Lucas Andersen, 7

Lovely little first half for Andersen. Able to flex his creative powers against the League One side and quickly grew into the game.

RW - Paul Smyth, 7

Fairly quiet apart from when snatching the second goal. That was an impressive moment with his pace and drive allowing him to surprise the Cambridge United defence. Need more of that all round.

ST - Michael Frey, 8

A really dynamic performance from the striker. Caused problems and got himself on the scoresheet with a shot from the edge of the box. That goal should do him the world of good.

SUB - Sam Field, 8

The right sub to make from Cifuentes. Busied himself in helping see the game out.

SUB - Hevertton, 6

Worked hard as Cambridge United dominated possession.

SUB - Lyndon Dykes, 6

Added physicality from the bench.

SUB - Zan Celar, 5

Had little chance to get involved as the U’s pressed for an equaliser.

SUB - Daniel Bennie, 5

Another with a very small cameo, but picked up a yellow in his handful of minutes.