QPR fall to defeat against Crystal Palace in final pre-season test

QPR were beaten 3-0 at the hands of Crystal Palace in their final pre-season fixture of the summer.

Eberechi Eze opened the scoring close to the half hour mark with a great strike from range that clipped the inside of the post, ensuring he netted on his return to Loftus Road.

A Wilfried Zaha brace in the second half was enough to secure the win, with his first being the best goal from the afternoon. QPR threatened late on but were unable to breach the Palace defence come full time.

Such a result ends their pre-season schedule with a loss, and now Michael Beale’s side will prepare for their first match in the new Championship season on the road at Blackburn Rovers.

Palace were on the front foot from kick-off, with Wilfried Zaha threatening out on the left at every opportunity throughout the match. Soon enough QPR had a couple of attacking plays for themselves, but they lacked a killer pass in the final third.

Stefan Johansen attempted to play a lofted ball into the area, but none of his west London teammates were there to meet it. Osman Kakay sent in a teasing ball soon-after, but Lyndon Dykes’ head was just inches away from connecting with the cross.

Ilias Chair showed his pace on the break for the hosts, but the Moroccan was denied by a solid challenge from Nathan Ferguson close to the halfway line. After some half chances from both sides, Palace soon found the lead through a former QPR man

A free-kick was awarded to the south Londoners, before Eze looked up and fired an effort towards goal, which clipped the inside of the left post and found the back of the net. It was no less than they deserved.

Sam Field did well to burst into the Palace box towards the end of the first half, but Joseph Whitworth was on hand to deny his shot on goal. The final action of the opening 45 minutes was a Palace corner, one that James Tomkins could not head on goal.

The start of the second half was no different from the first with the Premier League outfit looking to attack from kick-off, and it was soon a matter of time before Zaha doubled their lead.

Palace’s star man found himself in possession on the left once again, cut the ball onto his right foot and fired it into the top right corner. It did take a deflection though, meaning Seny Dieng had no chance of saving it.

QPR’s frustrations soon became apparent, although their highlight of the afternoon would most likely be the partnership between Chair and Kenneth Paal down the left flank. They had a couple of moments of nice link-up play, and could be an important duo for the forthcoming campaign.

Their best chance of the game fell to Jake Clarke-Salter, although the newcomer could only apply a centre-back’s finish when unmarked inside the area, with Whitworth saving his effort. It was clear to see Dykes was their target-man, but the 26-year-old couldn’t make the most of his side’s crosses all afternoon.

The tempo of the game soon slowed and Palace sealed the deal in the final 15 minutes. Christian Benteke was brought down in the area and a penalty was awarded, with Zaha stepping up to place it into the bottom left corner.

Sinclair Armstrong had the game’s final effort but he was unable to find the target, although his and Olamide Shodipo’s substitutions brought energy onto the pitch for QPR.

They will now face Blackburn next Saturday in the Championship, whilst Palace host Ligue 1 side Montpellier in their final pre-season match of the summer.

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