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Burnley logo
Premier League
Jan 10, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
QPR logo

2-1

Arfield (12'), Ings (37')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Austin (33' pen.)

Live Commentary: Burnley 2-1 Queens Park Rangers - as it happened

Sports Mole brings you live text coverage of the Premier League meeting between Burnley and Queens Park Rangers at Turf Moor.
2

Burnley picked up three valuable points in their survival bid by beating Queens Park Rangers 2-1 at Turf Moor.

Scott Arfield opened the scoring with a fine strike in the 12th minute, but QPR were level again when Charlie Austin fired home a penalty after being fouled by Dean Marney.

However, Danny Ings restored the lead before the half-time interval with what proved to be the winning goal as Burnley climbed out of the relegation zone.

Read below to find out how the drama unfolded.


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Good afternoon everyone. The FA Cup took centre stage last week, but the Premier League is back today, and both Burnley and Queens Park Rangers are in desperate need of points. This could be a vital game for both sides as they look to avoid relegation.

This is the sort of game that many will refer to as a 'six-pointer'. Let's face it, that phrase has never made much sense, but this is certainly a very big match. If these two sides are going to stay in the Premier League, they'll need to pick up points against the teams around them. Both Sean Dyche and Harry Redknapp will be fancying their chances of recording victory today.

Redknapp knows as well as anyone that QPR need to beat the teams around them, but perhaps more troubling to him is that his side have still not won an away game this season. The visitors head into this game having lost all nine of their league games away from home since returning to the top flight. Home form will only get you so far. QPR have to improve on the road. Will that torrid run end today?

Much like QPR, Burnley have been more successful in front of their own supporters this season. The Clarets have picked up two of their three wins and 10 of their 17 points while playing at Turf Moor. Battling draws with Manchester City and Newcastle United in their previous two league games, as well as a 1-1 draw with Spurs in the FA Cup, should give Burnley some confidence.

BURNLEY: Heaton; Mee, Shackell, Keane, Trippier; Boyd, Jones, Marney, Arfield; Barnes, Ings

SUBS: Gilks, Reid, Vokes, Kightly, Jutkiewicz, Wallace, Duff


After changing a few different things for the draw with Spurs on Monday, Dyche has gone back to naming his regular Premier League 11 for the seventh game in a row. That type of consistency can make a big difference when a side is battling to avoid the drop. Sam Vokes continued his bid to reach full fitness with a goal against Spurs, but he must settle for a spot on the bench as Danny Ings continues his partnership with Ashley Barnes. Captain Jason Shackell shakes off a knock to start in the centre of defence.

QPR: Green; Isla, Dunne, Caulker, Hill; Vargas, Henry, Barton, Fer; Taarabt; Austin

SUBS: McCarthy, Traore, Phillips, Onuoha, Mutch, Zamora, Zarate


QPR make seven changes to the side which was knocked out of the FA Cup by Sheffield United on the weekend, but there's just one different name on the team sheet from the draw with Swansea on New Year's Day. It's fair to say that one change is a bit of a surprise. Adel Taarabt's career at the club looked to be over, but he starts in an attacking role just behind Charlie Austin as Bobby Zamora drops to the bench. Can Taarabt be an unlikely hero in the second half of the season?


After watching Vokes score on Monday night, Dyche must have been tempted to start him today, but he knows how crucial the Wales international could be heading into the latter stages of the season. In truth, Barnes has done well in his absence. However, Dyche will be desperate to reunite Ings and Vokes again after seeing them fire the Clarets to promotion last season.

One man has dominated the headlines leading into this game, and that is QPR's Charlie Austin, who swapped Turf Moor for Loftus Road in August 2013, but luckily for the Clarets, Ings was on hand to fill the void left by his former teammate. Austin was a huge success story with Burnley, and the home fans will be wary of his qualities this afternoon. Ings and Austin have both proved their quality in the Premier League. They'll be key for their respective sides today, and for the rest of the season.

These two sides met just over a month ago in West London, with QPR recording a 2-0 victory on that afternoon. Leroy Fer scored the first and Austin doubled his team's lead before receiving a red card late on. Burnley will be eager to avenge that defeat.

After mentioning Ings earlier, it's worth noting that there has been plenty of speculation surrounding the striker's future at the club. His current deal expires in the summer, and Spurs are one of a number of clubs rumoured to be considering making a bid for his services. Reports have suggested that Ings would like to stay at Turf Moor for the rest of the season, and the club may have to accept that risking losing him for free in a few months could actually help them stay up. Burnley simply can't afford to lose his goal threat.

Mauro Zarate is on the bench for QPR today after departing West Ham on loan earlier this week. The attacker didn't seem to leave Upton Park with too many friends, but he certainly has quality in the final third of the pitch. He'll be eager to prove a point as soon as possible.

STAT: QPR have won just once in their last 10 trips to Burnley in all competitions (W1, D1, L8) in the last 35 years.

Remember all those years ago when David Ginola, playing for Aston Villa at the time, threw his shirt to the ground to show off his muscles to celebrate after being accused of putting on too much weight? Well, if Taarabt has been hitting the gym in his spare time, we could be in for a repeat this afternoon. Earlier in the season Redknapp claimed that the Moroccan was three stone overweight. Either that was a slight exaggeration, or Taarabt has cut back on the pick and mix.


PREDICTION: Kickoff is just over 10 minutes away, so it's time for a prediction. I think both sides have to be positive today because they know these are the type of games they need to be winning. It could come down to who gets the better chances between Austin and Ings. QPR need to be better away from home, but their losing record might continue today. 1-0 to Burnley.

Before the game gets underway at Turf Moor, take a look at what our pundits had to say about this game by watching the video below.


A quick reminder that you can follow live text coverage of every Premier League game today by clicking on the fixture in the scores box on the right of the page. It could be a big day for the sides at the bottom of the table. Burnley can leapfrog QPR with a win today, while Redknapp's side could go as high as 12th if they are victorious.

Shackell and Barton leads the two sides onto the pitch at Turf Moor. Kickoff is just moments away and the two sets of supporters are making plenty of noise already.

Andre Marriner blows his whistle for the first time today as QPR get the game started.

Not a great start for Taarabt as he finds a yard of space in midfield before gifting the ball back to Burnley with a poor piece of control.

It's Burnley who have started the better of the two sides, and a promising move only comes to an end when Ings strays into an offside position as he looks to connect with Trippier's cross. Good work from Boyd in the build up, too.

A corner towards the back post finds Mee in space, but the defender is unable to make the right contact with the ball as QPR win a goal kick.

A couple of crosses into the box have let Burnley down in the early stages, but Dyche will be happy to see his side on top. QPR haven't been able to get going yet.

Shackell has been asked to do a lot of defending this season, but he seems to be relishing the opportunity to prove himself every week. The Burnley captain reacts well to clear Barton's cross as Austin looked to connect in the box.

Very little attacking play to report, with a scrappy phase of play taking over the game for a couple of minutes. The strikers are only passengers in this match at the moment. Neither side are keeping the ball very well.

GOAL! BURNLEY 1-0 QPR (ARFIELD)

Forget about the scrappy start, Arfield has just given Burnley the lead with a wonderful goal! Moments after Boyd had fired straight at Green from the edge of the box, Arfield shows his teammate how to finish. He cuts in from the left wing before poking the ball through Isla and curling a lovely strike past the helpless Green. Burnley take charge at Turf Moor.

CHANCE! QPR look to hit back immediately, with Barton firing just over the crossbar from long range, but it's Burnley who threaten again when a corner reaches Mee, who somehow manages to miss the target with a free header. What a chance for Burnley to go 2-0 ahead.

OFF THE POST! It's all happening at Turf Moor now. Isla looks to make up for a poor piece of defending which led to Arfield's goal as he comes forward before pulling the ball back to Austin, who rattles the post after finding space in the box.

CLOSE! QPR are piling the pressure on now. Vargas does superbly to pick out Fer on the edge of the box, and the Dutch midfielder comes agonisingly close as his powerful effort drifts just past the post.

More impressive defending from Shackell as he steps in to intercept after Isla had attempted to pick out Austin again. Taarabt is starting to see more of the ball, which is good news for the visitors.

Jones uses a free kick to deliver a dangerous ball towards the back post, but Green reacts well to collect under pressure from a couple of Burnley players. It's end to end stuff at the moment.

Here's a snapshot of Burnley celebrating Arfield's opener. It could prove to be a very big goal for the hosts as they look to collect all three points this afternoon.

Scott Arfield of Burnley celebrates scoring the opening goal with team mates during the Barclays Premier League match between Burnley and Queens Park Rangers at Turf Moor on January 10, 2015© Getty Images


Worrying signs for QPR as Fer goes down asking for treatment. The visitors really need him to stay on the pitch. He's seen a lot of the ball in the final third so far, and he has the quality to unlock the Burnley defence.

Luckily for QPR, Fer is back on the pitch and it looks like he'll be fine to continue. Arfield nearly finds the space to unleash another shot at goal, but Isla recovers well to make a very good tackle.

Taarabt wins a free kick for his side in a promising position when Ings makes a clumsy challenge, but his strike partner makes up for the mistake by clearing Barton's cross to safety.

PENALTY! QPR have a way back into the game. Austin finds space in the box and he's tripped by Marney as he looks to create the room for a shot.

GOAL! BURNLEY 1-1 QPR (AUSTIN)

He just keeps scoring. Austin fires home his 13th of the season with a confident penalty to give Heaton no chances. Burnley can have no arguments about the penalty. It really was a poor piece of defending from Marney.

After a scrappy start, it's turned into a bit of a thriller at Turf Moor. Both sides are looking to take control, and you'd expect there to be a lot more chances at both ends this afternoon.

SAVE! Superb from Heaton. Barton's clever chipped pass finds Vargas, whose powerful volley is pushed to safety by the Burnley goalkeeper. Lovely skill from Vargas with the chest control before the strike.

GOAL! BURNLEY 2-1 QPR (INGS)

Could this game turn into Austin vs. Ings? Burnley are back in front as Barnes lobs a clever pass into the path of his strike partner, whose control and finish is perfect. It's a great goal from the hosts.

Burnley continue a strong spell by winning a corner, but QPR have enough men back to clear the danger. The visitors can't afford to concede a third goal before the interval. At 2-1, anything can happen, of course.

Keane, who signed a permanent deal with Burnley earlier this week, reacts well to stop Fer's through ball from reaching Austin. The hosts will need more defending like that in the second half.

We're into the first of two added minutes at the end of the first half. QPR would take a lot of confidence into the second half if they can equalise again now. Marney and Barton have both picked up bookings in the last couple of minutes.

HALF TIME: BURNLEY 2-1 QPR

An entertaining first half comes to an end at Turf Moor. Arfield got the ball rolling for Burnley with a fine strike before Austin levelled from the spot. However, Ings scored his sixth of the season to restore Burnley's lead. It's the first time this season that the Clarets have scored twice in a Premier League home game. Can they secure all three points?


If QPR fail to get anything from this game, it means they will lose their opening 10 away games, which would be a new record in the Premier League. Redknapp's side will be desperate to avoid that this afternoon. They've looked dangerous in patches, but Burnley's lively attack has caused problems.

BENCH WATCH: If QPR feel a more direct approach required, Zamora could come on to partner Austin at some stage, and we've seen that combination work already this season. Taarabt has drifted in and out of the game, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see Zarate introduced, too. Burnley have Vokes on the bench, but Barnes and Ings are linking up very well again today. Dyche will be pretty happy at the moment.

The two sides are back out on the pitch for the second half. Burnley will get the game back underway.

Redknapp decided against making any changes at the break, which is understandable, considering they really weren't that poor. It's a quiet start to the second half, but there's more goals to be scored in this one.

Barnes and Barton clash when the two players challenge for a header, with the QPR midfielder needing treatment after taking a painful blow. He should be fine to continue.

Ings causes problems again with a run at the QPR defence, but he can only hit a low shot a yard wide from the edge of the box. That's a warning for the visitors. Ings can't be given that much space.

SAVE! Poor defending from QPR as Barnes collects a throw-in unchallenged, before turning to volley at Green, who makes a fine save. Green can't believe Barnes was allowed the space to unleash a shot.

Heaton has a nervy moment in the Burnley goal as he spills Barton's powerful shot into the path of Austin, whose eagerness to convert the rebound results in him being caught offside.

YELLOW CARD! Barnes becomes the second Burnley player to be booked after a foul on Dunne. The striker had already been warned that he was living dangerously.

CHANCE! Burnley could, and perhaps should be 3-1 ahead. More good work from Arfield ends with him sending a cross to Barnes, who shows a lack of composure in the box as he blazes a shot over the crossbar.

Taarabt collects the ball after charging forward from midfield, but he risks upsetting his teammates by slicing a speculative effort well wide of the target. He could be replaced soon.

Burnley keep the pressure on the QPR defence with a couple of corners, and Mee is agonisingly close to meeting Trippier's second delivery with a header at the back post.

It's not been the start to the second half Redknapp would have wanted. Burnley are looking the sharper of the two sides at both ends of the pitch, with Jones and Marney doing a great job for the hosts in midfield.

QPR create a half chance as Taarabt delivers a free kick onto the head of Vargas, whose weak effort is easily saved by Heaton. It looks like there could be changes from the visitors soon.

QPR just do not know how to deal with the movement of Ings. The impressive Trippier clips a brilliant pass into space for the striker, but he can only drag a shot wide of the post after a perfect first touch.

Redknapp doesn't look a happy man on the touchline. Is he going to see QPR suffer a 10th successive away defeat?

Harry Redknapp, manager of QPR looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Burnley and Queens Park Rangers at Turf Moor on January 10, 2015© Getty Images


SUBSTITUTION: Redknapp makes his first change, and it's certainly a positive one. Zamora is off the bench to replace Henry.

DISALLOWED GOAL! Burnley think they have their third goal of the afternoon, but the assistant referee has other ideas. Mee rises highest in the box to head home from a corner. However, it looks like Green was fouled by Barnes as he attempted to collect. It's probably the right decision.

SUBSTITUTION: Burnley make their first change as Vokes replaces Barnes to join Ings in attack. It's been another good display from Barnes, whose work ethic is fantastic.

CHANCE! Ings should finish the game off when he latches onto a pass from Arfield, but a rare poor touch lets him down while one-on-one with Green. Goal kick to QPR.

SUBSTITUTION: It's time for Redknapp to roll the dice. Traore and Zarate are off the bench to replace Hill and Vargas.

YELLOW CARD! Incredible. Traore has been on the field for less than a minute, but he immediately picks up a booking for a late tackle on Boyd.

Time is running out for QPR, but they haven't really managed to create a clear chance in the second half. Burnley are starting to drop deeper as they look to protect their slender lead. We could be set for a dramatic finish at Turf Moor.

Fer collects the ball on the edge of the box, and he only has eyes for the top corner. However, his effort is easily saved by Heaton.

SAVE! QPR are still in this game, but it's down to a fantastic save from Green. Keane manages to lose his marker to meet a corner with a powerful header which forces Green to tip the ball over the crossbar.

Another corner causes problems for the nervy QPR defence as Arfield latches onto a loose ball with a miscued effort that drifts wide of the target.

Burnley break away again, and they really should make QPR pay. Boyd and Ings appear to have too much time, and one too many touches from the former allows Dunne to make a vital tackle.

It's just not happening in attack for QPR. They've been unable to keep the pressure on the Burnley defence for an extended period, and the home side are comfortably protecting this lead. Just two minutes plus stoppage time remains at Turf Moor.

Burnley are still sending players forward at this stage, and they miss another decent chance as Keane nods Trippier's header just past the post.

The fourth official has confirmed that there will be four minutes of added time played. Can QPR find an equaliser?

QPR have sent a couple of long balls into the direction of Zamora, but Burnley are dealing with everything with apparent ease. The hosts are around a minute away from the win.

SAVE! Caulker finds the space to meet a corner in the box, but Heaton reacts well to tip the ball over the crossbar. That save might just secure the points.

FULL TIME: BURNLEY 2-1 QPR

Sean Dyche is on the pitch applauding the home supporters, and the fans are delighted. Burnley pick up a big victory and climb above QPR in the table. It's a new record for the visitors, who have lost all of their 10 away games this season. Burnley's survival bid continues to pick up pace.

That's all from our live coverage, but make sure you keep an eye out for analysis and player ratings from this game and every other Premier League match. Goodbye everyone.

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Harry Redknapp Manager of Queens Park Rangers ahead of the Sky Bet Championship Play Off Semi Final second leg match between Queens Park Rangers and Wigan Athletic at Loftus Road on May 12, 2014
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