Teenager Jay Robinson and Brazilian forward Leonardo Scienza produced two spectacular second-half goals as Southampton emerged 2-1 winners over Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road in their first game since the sacking of Will Still. Against a backdrop of managerless uncertainty and a five-match winless run, Saints showed clinical edge at key moments, while QPR were left to rue a string of missed chances on a night when their performance far outstripped the result.
Robinson struck in the 55th minute and Scienza added a stunning second on 69 minutes to put the visitors in command, before Rumarn Burrell's reply four minutes later set up a frantic finale. Southampton, with Under-21s coach Tonda Eckert in interim charge, held on under intense late pressure to secure only their third Championship win of the season and first since late September, lifting them to 19th. QPR, who have now lost three in a row and six in the league overall, stay 16th and have just two wins in their last 13 home league games.
Saints' Bright Start Soon Overshadowed by QPR Pressure
Southampton began with the sort of intent Eckert would have demanded. Adam Armstrong picked up possession outside the box and drove an angled shot towards goal that deflected behind for an early corner, a small but important sign that the visitors were not about to retreat into themselves after Still's departure. Soon afterwards they felt aggrieved when former QPR full-back Ryan Manning went to ground at the far post under pressure from Paul Smyth as he tried to reach Tom Fellows' cross, only for appeals for a penalty to be waved away.