Losing start for Hughes

Mark Hughes’ first game as Queens Park Rangers manager ended in defeat as Newcastle United strengthened their European hopes at the Sports Direct Arena on Sunday.

Leon Best’s well-taken first-half strike was enough to see off the challenge of QPR and lift his side up to sixth in the Premier League table, level on points with Arsenal. Hughes’ men slipped into the relegation zone following Blackburn’s 3-1 victory over Fulham the previous day.

QPR began the game brightly and seemed intent on giving Hughes a winning start. Shaun Wright-Phillips hit the top of the bar in the opening ten minutes, before Jay Bothroyd’s brilliant curling effort grazed the post just after the half-hour mark.

Newcastle, already without influential pair Demba Ba and Cheick Tiote, suffered a blow when Yohan Cabaye was stretchered off with an ankle injury after a late Shaun Derry challenge and replaced by Hatem Ben Arfa.

However, the enforced change seemed to spark the home side into life and they pushed forward in search of the opener. They were rewarded for their endeavour when Best gave them the lead eight minutes before half-time. Danny Guthrie fed Best and the front man showed quick feet to evade Luke Young and finish past QPR keeper Paddy Kenny from just outside the six-yard box.

Rangers pushed for an equaliser either side of the break and had chances to pull level. Bothroyd should have done better with two good opportunities, but showed a lack of composure which has blighted QPR’s season.

That was as good as it got for QPR as Newcastle began to dominate. The home side comfortably saw the game out to record their third win in four league games.The fans who watch football live at St James' Park would have liked some more entertainment, but appreciate that results must come first and this was a result that continued their excellent season so far.

Punters who bet on relegation  are still backing the Hoops to go down, despite the promise of significant investment during the January transfer window. Hughes will need to find that spark in front of goal if QPR are to avoid the drop.