QPR 3 Huddersfield 0

Last updated : 17 September 2002 By Footymad Previewer

An early goal from Dan Shittu put QPR on their way to an emphatic 3-0 win over Huddersfield Town at Loftus Road and secured the home side's third successive league win.

Indeed the scoreline could have been much worse if it was not for the wooodwork and some excellent stops by visiting keeper Scott Bevan.

Rangers boss Ian Holloway named an unchanged side from the one that beat Swindon last weekend and his confidence was duly rewarded as Tommy Williams and Clarke Carlisle ensured victory and second spot in the Second Division.

The game started at a frantic pace and Rangers could have had the lead in the second minute as Shittu headed powerfully to the top right of the net only for Bevan to fling himself and push the ball out for a corner.

Indeed it was from the corner that Rangers took the lead, Shittu rose highest in the crowded penalty area and headed home.

The home side continued to put pressure on the visitors and cracks began to show in their defence. After 32 minutes Williams raced from the halfway line into the penalty area and let fly with a right-foot shot past the despairing dive of Bevan.

After the break Huddersfield tried to play their way back into the game, but were unable to turn their possession into goals and were reduced to long-range efforts.

Rangers struck the post in the 63rd minute as Richard Langley's free-kick easily beat the diving Bevan only to strike the woodwork and be cleared away for a corner.

Then Shittu blasted another effort against the crossbar.

Eventually the third goal arrived, Langley struck the post again from a free-kick, but this time the ever alert Clarke Carlisle was on hand to bury the ball in the back of the net after 73 minutes