Jon Walters has struck twice in the first half as Stoke City lead Queens Park Rangers 2-1 at half time in the Premier League encounter at the Britannia Stadium.

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Both teams began sluggishly, with no shots of note in the opening 20 minutes, but in the 21st minute Stoke took the lead through Walters, who latched on to Stephen Ireland's backheel and buried a clinical finish underneath Rob Green.

Eight minutes later, Ireland almost netted himself with a crashing half-volley from the edge of the box, but his powerful strike flew just wide.

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Ireland once again had a hand in Stoke's second goal, as he released Walters, who kept his composure to slot the ball past an advancing Green with his left foot.

QPR were second-best throughout the first half, but were handed a lifeline shortly before the break when Niko Kranjcar latched on to Charlie Austin's scuffed effort and buried the ball from close range.