Hapless QPR were thumped 5-0 at Southampton to dent their playoff hopes as Nicolas Madsen limped off in the first half to compound Rangers’ dire injury record.
Julien Stephan’s side headed into Tuesday's Championship contest level on points with their hosts and just four points off Wrexham in sixth. But after the Red Dragons felled Portsmouth, that gap has extended to seven points with Rangers remaining 13th and presenting a missed opportunity to build on the weekend's stellar 3-1 win at Hull.
Saints, meanwhile, extended their unbeaten run to seven league games and propelled to seventh, well in the hunt for a playoff finish under Tonda Eckert.
QPR’s miserable defensive display started in the ninth minute, Ryan Manning zipping a pass into Finn Azaz, who was afforded too much time and space to bend an effort past Joe Walsh.
Madsen, who had only recently returned from injury, pulled up before the half-hour mark clutching his hamstring, meaning the Rs had to play the next hour without one of their most influential players. The replacement in midfield disrupted Rangers' rhythm, who had responded positively after the first goal.
But Jack Stephen’s header crashing the post from a free kick in the 38th minute was an omen for Rangers’ poor defending from set pieces for the rest of the game. Alas, in first half injury time, Walsh attempted to punch a Saints corner clear but got it all wrong, as the unmarked Kuryu Matsuki nodded home.
Five minutes after the restart, the tricky Leo Scienza’s curling effort was parried away by Walsh straight back into danger, allowing Matsuki to grab his second of the night.
Rangers, who were just as ineffective going forward, sloppily lost the ball in Saints' third, and a simple pass set Scienza through on goal. The Brazilian cut onto his right to send Rhys Norrington-Davies on his backside and coolly converted for his side’s fourth with not even an hour played.
The QPR players urgently formed a huddle to regroup, but despite their best efforts and a series of changes from Stephan, conceded a fifth 10 minutes later, James Bree capitalising on a limp clearance and striking a sumptuous half volley past the hapless Walsh.
QPR’s ongoing injury crisis
Judging Stephan’s first season in charge of the Hoops has come with the caveat of their horrendous injury list over the season, meaning the head coach has been unable to name consistent lineups and enjoy all of his best players being fit at the same time.
Madsen’s return to the team last week offered a huge boost after his time out of the squad, but the sight of the Dane limping down the tunnel provided yet another worry for Stephan and Rs fans.
He rejoins Justin Obikwu, Karamoko Dembele, Kwame Poku, Rumarn Burrell, Ziyad Larkeche and Ilias Chair in a packed medical room.
Chair, QPR’s most creative player, is only set to miss another one or two games – but who’s to say with Rangers this season, who have consistently promised the return of players, only for the date to keep getting pushed back.