Aaron Lennon scored a late winner to give Everton a 2-1 win over Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road in the Premier League this afternoon.
Seamus Coleman opened the scoring for the visitors, before Eduardo Vargas gave the home side some hope, equalising after the break, ahead of Lennon's decisive strike.
The result lifts Everton up to 13th in the table, while QPR stay 19th.
Here, Sports Mole analyses the result.
Match statistics
QPR
Shots: 14
On target: 1
Possession: 53%
Corners: 1
Fouls: 11
Everton
Shots: 8
On target: 3
Possession: 47%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 12
Was the result fair?
Queens Park Rangers probably did enough to secure a draw today, particularly with their second-half performance. The home side were attacking from the start, and kept their composure both times they trailed to try to get back into the match. They were particularly unlucky to come so close to an equaliser in stoppage time, with Adel Taarabt hitting the post, so it certainly does not feel like a fair result.
QPR's performance
The hosts really did give everything this afternoon as they tried to boost their survival chances. Charlie Austin and Bobby Zamora proved a dangerous combination up front, while Joey Barton certainly made his presence felt on his return from suspension. They could have done a little better in defence during the first goal, as Coleman was given far too much space, but overall it was a bright display from QPR.
Everton's performance
Everton showed the signs of a team that had been in European action during the week, but they made the most of their chances, converting from two of their three shots on target. It was the Toffees' defensive play that really won them the match though, as John Stones and Phil Jagielka worked tirelessly to limit the effect of the QPR strikers. It was an effective if unspectacular day at the office for the visitors.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Seamus Coleman: Lennon's winning goal may take the headlines, but Coleman's first-half strike was the pick of the three goals in the match, as he sliced it in with a first-time hit. His effort was just as impressive at the back as he worked hard to limit the home side's chances, blocking a number of crosses and regularly getting forward on the counter-attack, including late on to set up the Lennon goal.
Biggest gaffe
Taarabt had a golden opportunity in stoppage time to secure a point, hitting the post, but it was a cross just a minute earlier that deserves the biggest gaffe honour. The midfielder showed off his impressive footwork skills and pace to come in from the midfield, cutting around a pair of defenders before looking for Vargas with the cross, but instead he managed to tap it meekly to Jagielka. With a number of teammates waiting in the middle, it was a real waste.
Referee performance
There were a few big decisions for Jonathan Moss and his assistants this afternoon, but they seemed to get them all right. Both sides wanted a penalty in the first half for handball, but in both cases it was unintentional contact, so the official waved it away. QPR also wanted a goal when Matt Phillips headed in from an offside position, but he was clearly ahead of the last defender, so it was a clinical performance from the referee.
What next?
QPR: After the international break, QPR travel to West Brom looking to end their run of five straight defeats.
Everton: Everton will host Southampton in their next match, hoping to make it three league wins in a row.
Sian Cowper
