Queens Park Rangers rediscovered their home edge in emphatic fashion as they beat Portsmouth 6-1, ending a run of three straight home defeats with a display that was forceful from the outset and relentless by the end. Paul Smyth and Rayan Kolli both struck twice, while Richard Kone added a late brace as Rangers raced clear.
Portsmouth were three goals down inside half an hour and looked overwhelmed, although John Swift's excellent long-range effort before the break briefly offered a route back into the contest. Pompey then enjoyed a short spell of encouragement early in the second half, only for Kolli's 55th-minute finish to shut the door before Kone's late goals completed a heavy defeat that leaves the visitors winless in six matches and only one point above the drop zone.
Rangers seize control in a blistering opening
QPR set the tone after seven minutes. Harvey Vale's attempt to slip Kolli in on goal was cut out by Regan Poole, but the clearance fell kindly for Smyth near the edge of the area and his shot took a helpful deflection off Connor Ogilvie before beating Nicolas Schmid. It was a fortunate touch at the end of the move, yet it reflected the pressure Rangers were already applying.