Player ratings as resolute Southampton win at Loftus Road

Tonda Eckert's first team selection saw Gavin Bazunu, Jack Stephens, Tom Fellows, and Jay Robinson back in the starting lineup. Out went Alex McCarthy, Mads Roerslev, Ronnie Edwards, and Finn Azaz.

Eckert's team demonstrated their intention to play out from the back when their first goal-kick was played short.

QPR had marginally the better of the opening 25 minutes. First, Flynn Downes cleared a shot off the line. Then, Burrell failed to take advantage when a Southampton block fell directly into his path six yards out to the right of the goal. A poor first touch took him wide and his cross was easily dealt with by the Southampton defence.

Neither team managed a shot on target in the first-half in what became an increasingly scrappy encounter. Rangers dominated the centre of midfield but failed to create many meaningful chances.

Under Eckert, Southampton looked to play the ball out from the back. They struggled to get the ball into good attacking areas and neither Downes or Jander looked happy to have the ball played into their feet in tight situations.

Half-Time: QPR 0-0 Southampton

Eckert kept the Southampton team the same for the second half and the pattern of play remained the same.

Jay Robinson benefitted from some luck in the 55th minute when a long ball out of defence found him just over the half-way line. His initial touch was poor but the ball rebounded back into his path. A one-two with Adam Armstrong took Robinson into the box where he lashed the ball right-footed into the net.

With twenty five minutes to go, Finn Azaz replaced the goal scorer, Robinson, and Damion Downs came on for Adam Armstrong.

A moment of magic from Léo Scienza doubled Southampton's lead after 68 minutes. The Brazilian picked the ball up on the half-way line and ran at the Rangers defence before driving the ball into the bottom right hand corner from about 22 yards.

Rumarn Burrell got Rangers back into the game when he followed a long ball in. Bazunu rushed off his line but misjudged the flight of the ball. Burrell was able to nick the ball past the hapless keeper and tap the ball into an empty net.

Southampton's defence held firm under intense pressure late on to earn Tonda Eckert his first win as interim manager.

Full-Time: QPR 1-2 Southampton

QPR 1-2 Southampton: player ratings

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Gavin Bazunu (GK) - 6/10 - Brought back into the team presumably because he's so much better than McCarthy with his feet. Was at fault when he misjudged the flight of a long ball handing Burrell his goal. Fumbled a late shot before tipping a shot over the bar in the second minute of stoppage time.

Tom Fellows (RWB) - 5/10 - Too deep to have much meaningful impact in the first half. Put a decent cross over which nearly resulted in Manning scoring at the far post in the first half. Played out of position.

Jack Stephens (CB) - 6/10 - Completely done by Ilias Chair in the 35th minute. Didn't get tight enough and Chair spun him round like a spinning top! A passionate performance from the captain and he marshalled the defence well in the second half.

Nathan Wood (CB) - 6/10 - Looked uncomfortable in possession with Saints knocking the ball around short. Very strong in the air and made some vital last ditch tackles and clearances.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis (CB) - 5/10 - A mixed performance. Gave the ball away twice in dangerous areas trying to overplay. Made a great tackle on the half-way line on the hour and then bailed out Wood when he had let the ball sneek past him late on.

Ryan Manning (LWB) - 5/10 - Unlucky not to get on the end of a Jay Robinson flick on in the first half. Possibly had claims for a penalty. Seemed to be running out of steam the longer the match went on. Gave a silly free-kick away in the 88th minute and then another.

Midfielders

Caspar Jander (CM) - 6/10 - Just a little reluctant to receive the ball in the first half. Always effective against the ball.

Flynn Downes (CM) - 6/10 - Cleared one off the line in the first half and got himself in amongst it in defensive transitions. Picked up a yellow card in the final ten minutes.

Forwards

Jay Robinson (LF)- 6/10 - Gave the ball away repeatedly in the first half and was lightweight in defensive transitions. Scored his second of the season after a good run and finish.

Adam Armstrong (CF) - 5/10 - Worked harder than at the weekend but still too isolated from the midfield. Grabbed an assist for Robinson's goal before being withdrawn.

Leo Scienza (LF) - 8/10 - Given some freedom to drift around the front line. Very keen to get involved and link up play between the midfield and attack. Effective in attacking transitions and scored a brilliant goal before going off injured.

Substitutes

• Finn Azaz - 7/10
• Damion Downs - 5/10
• Joe Aribo - 5/10
• Mads Roerslev - 6/10

Player of the match: Léo Scienza