Half-Time Report: Charlie Austin gives Queens Park Rangers lead

Charlie Austin scored late in the first half to give Queens Park Rangers a 1-0 lead over Sunderland at half time in their Premier League match.

© Getty Images

Both teams had chances inside the opening couple of minutes as Connor Wickham made a quick break for the visitors, before Joey Barton picked out Charlie Austin from a corner, only for Wickham to make the clearance.

Robert Green was called into action as Steve Fletcher unleashed a powerful effort from the edge of the box which the keeper tipped over.

Summer signing Leroy Fer came close to opening the scoring for Rangers with a 25-yard strike, only for his finish to bounce back off the crossbar.

It looked like the two sides would be heading into the break level, but Austin managed to fire through a crowded penalty area to put the hosts in front, after Fer had headed a corner back across goal.