QPR player ratings - 'Pantomime villain' 3/10 but 'trooper' 8 in frustrating Hull City defeat

QPR are now without a win in in their last five fixtures as Hull City managed to pull off a 3-1 victory at Loftus Road despite moments of promise from the home side.

Marti Cifuentes had called for a reaction following defeat to Blackburn Rovers and his R's side had clearly heeded that message early on. Kader Dembele found joy on the right flank in minutes and moments later Koko Saito enjoyed a dangerous, jinking run in from the left.

Sam Field and Nicolas Masden also had early sighters with tame shots from distance in a high tempo QPR start to the midweek clash. The Tigers found some footing after the frantic first 10 minutes but it was still the hosts who looked the most likely to score, Andersen blasting over from a decent opening on the edge of the box.

As the R's squandered their half chances from distance, it didn't take a second invitation for Hull City to make the most of a loose ball. Cody Drameh volleyed into the bottom right hand corner past a diving Paul Nardi with aplomb to score against the run of play.

Despite that strong start, QPR soon had a mountain to climb as the visitors found a second through Chris Bedia shortly before half time. An overly casual Andersen was dispossessed in his own box and Bedia couldn't miss as a cross was fired across the face of goal.

QPR were thrown a lifeline when Hull city defender Lewie Coyle raised his arm unnaturally to make contact with a Andersen free kick, Madsen only just managing to squeeze the resulting spot kick under the bar.

Whatever Cifuentes said at half time rejuvenated a QPR side already buoyed by their goal shortly before the break. Koki Saito was particularly impressive as the Hull City defence struggled to cope with his tidy footwork. The Catalan coach also turned to Zan Celar from the bench with the summer signing heading just wide from a Saito cross.

Despite there being a lot to like after the break, it was a similar tale to the first half as a Hull City chance from nowhere knocked the stuffing out of the R’s, Liam Millar hitting the back of the net having pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the box.

GK - Paul Nardi, 7

Could do little about those Hull City goals. Confident when dealing with crosses and really gets down quickly despite his height.

LB - Kenneth Paal, 6

Got stuck in tonight, sliding in physically early on, and had pinged some decent balls forwards.

CB - Steve Cook, 8

Will be fuming to have lost tonight having put in a sterling performance. The centre-back is so consistent in his last-ditch work for QPR. A real trooper.

CB - Jimmy Dunne, 6

Pretty robust back in centre-back if out of position at times - had an earful from Cook at one moment.

RB - Hevertton Santos, 7

Provides a much more dynamic option at full-back than Jimmy Dunne. Had his work cut out against Liam Millar but was largely comfortable and showed maturity. There’s some development needed, Loftus Road sighing collectively at a sloppy first half pass, but plenty to like.

CDM - Sam Field, 6

Hit a dangerous volley on target early on and was his usual busy, if not quite so dominant, self in midfield.

CDM - Nicolas Masden, 7

Probably his best QPR showing to date but still not quite embedded in the team. Smashed his penalty in under the bar, there’s no saving those but a second too slow to get a block in for the killer third Hull City goal.

LW - Koko Saito, 8

Was praised by Cifuentes in the matchday programme ahead of Tuesday night and was worthy of that hype. Found joy on the flank early and was constantly hacked down by Hull City defenders. Had a good delivery on him and was whiskers away from a blinder of a goal early in the second half, his shot hitting the post.

CAM - Lucas Andersen, 3

Made a bright start to the game and appeared to be in the mood to be making the right decisions after a couple below par performances lately. That didn’t last too long with another frustrating outing before his second half sub. Was dispossessed in his own box for the Hull City second - the whole of Loftus Road saw that happening seconds before it had. Also squandered a brilliant chance on the break after a Celar knock-on in the second half. More performances like this and Andersen risks becoming the pantomime villain at Loftus Road, despite Cifuentes’ staunch backing.

RW - Kader Dembele, 8

Tenacious early on to spearhead QPR dominance and always an option wide when the R’s were struggling with creativity. Won the free-kick that eventually resulted in the penalty and was almost too good for his own teammates at times, his colleagues caught off guard with some swift footwork. There’s a real talent here.

ST - Michael Frey, 5

Some moments of decent hold up play in the 45 minutes he was on the pitch. Held out a weak foot to try and intervene after the Andersen mistake for the second Hull City goal, which was not robust defensive work.

SUB - Zan Celar, 7

Immediately involved and made a chance from nothing when heading a ball forwards into the pass of Andersen. Almost managed to nod home a Saito cross too.

SUB - Paul Smyth, 6

Always a strong option from the bench with his direct play. Caused Hull City some problems.

SUB - Ilias Chair, 7

Huge cheer when brought onto the pitch. It’s a relief for QPR to have him back, he’s a quality above but did look a little rusty when volleying an ambitious shot over the bar.

Alfie Lloyd, 6 - Arrived onto the pitch with plenty of enthusiasm and linked up well with Celar at one moment.

Elijah Dixon-Bonner, 5 - Little influence in his short cameo.