QPR

2.43

• 
  2

  0

  2.50

  Julio César

  Not always calm and composed, often erratic, but made a handful of decent saves to keep his side hanging in the game. Palmed shots he could have caught and looked shaky on crosses. Failed to communicate well with Ferdinand for the Saints' third goal.

• 
  0

  2

  2.00

  Armand Traoré

  Completely failed to deal with Puncheon and Clyne, though received little help from Hoilett ahead of him. Gave both players far too much space to cut inside and shoot or cross, and should have picked up Southampton's short corner for the third goal.

• 
  0

  5

  1.50

  Anton Ferdinand Flop of the Match

  Did not enjoy facing Lambert, who bullied him for much of the match. Turned far too easy and looked cumbersome when Lallana and Lambert drove at him. Bad game compounded by an own goal. Often too quick to kick the ball long to an isolated Cisse rather than retain possession.

• 
  0

  3

  2.50

  José Bosingwa

  Did not get forward as much as he needed to in order to make QPR's three-man midfield work - and when he did, his crosses were largely useless. Unlucky for Southampton’s opener, blocking Fonte’s goal-bound shot on the line – but only as far as Lambert. Replaced by Fabio in the second half.

• 
  1

  1

  2.50

  Ryan Nelsen

  Looked to enjoy the physical tussle with Lambert, and had more success in the air than Ferdinand against the large forward - though occasionally was a little too robust. But struggled with the Saints' quick transition, and showed his age when he was forced to sprint.

• 
  2

  0

  3.00

  Samba Diakité

  Seems to play on the edge, constantly a stud-length away from a yellow card. Busy and tenacious, but not always penetrative with his passing. Attempted an extravagant back-heel that was leapt on by Southampton, initiating the move from which Lambert opened the scoring for the visitors. Replaced by Derry mid-way through the second half.

• 
  2

  0

  3.00

  Adel Taarabt

  Though he looked QPR’s brightest spark, his drifting unbalanced the Rs' midfield in the first half, forcing a central midfielder out wide to cover. His direct running and dribbling unnerved the Saints' defence. Played a wonderful in-swinging cross for Hoilett to nod in.

• 
  3

  0

  2.50

  Esteban Granero

  The player most affected by Taarabt’s roaming, forced to pull out to the right wing to cover the Moroccan. Could not get into the game and exert his control and passing ability. Largely bossed and swarmed by Schneiderlin and Cork.

• 
  0

  2

  2.50

  Alejandro Faurlin

  Struggled to get into the game, with Diakite and Granero dictating QPR's play in the middle. Did not give the tough-tackling, all-action performance he has in the past. Allowed Puncheon to come inside and fire off a shot that doubled the visitors’ lead.

• 
  2

  1

  2.00

  Djibril Cissé

  Forced to feed on meagre crosses and long balls, received little support or supply. Largely anonymous and could not get into the game. Looked more threatening when balls were played behind the Saints defence, but for the most part QPR did not play to his strengths.

• 
  3

  1

  3.00

  Junior Hoilett

  QPR’s only semblance of width, but often tried to do too much, dribble past one too many players. Played a lovely raking pass for Cisse who almost prodded in at the back post. Made a good run to get on the end of Taarabt's cross and nod QPR back into the game.

Substitutions

• 
  4

  0

  2.50

  Fabio Da Silva

  Replaced Bosingwa in the second half but did not get forward and provide width to the extent his manager would have wanted.

• 
  0

  2

  2.00

  Shaun Derry

  Came on for Diakite mid-way through the second half, when a goal down. Tackled, harried, but provided nothing going forward when QPR needed a creator.

• 
  0

  2

  2.50

  Jamie Mackie

  Came on for Faurlin at half-time to provide width down the right - which had been absent in the first half. Bombed up the right flank straight away, but his crossing let him down. Became more anonymous as the game wore on.

Southampton

2.92

• 
  0

  1

  3.00

  Paulo Gazzaniga

  Not always assured, happy just to deflect the ball regardless of where, or to whom, it landed. Indecisive for Hoilett's goal, leaving his line but not far enough to punch clear, stranding himself in no man's land. Made a very good fingertip save to flick Hoilett's rasping drive wide.

• 
  0

  1

  3.00

  Nathaniel Clyne

  Got forward well, notably when his in-swinging cross evaded everyone and bounced off Cesar’s far post. Assisted Puncheon’s goal when he kept a hold of the ball by the corner flag and cut the ball back for his winger. Less composed defensively, with Hoilett often getting the better of him.

• 
  2

  1

  2.50

  Maya Yoshida

  Frequently caused panic in the Saints defence with wayward passing, miscommunication and mistimed challenges. Rarely on the same wavelength as the rest of the defence. Looked especially worried when there was space in behind for Hoilett and Cisse to dart into. Like Fonte, often did his best work in the opposition's penalty area.

• 
  0

  0

  2.50

  Jose Rocha Fonte

  Solid, no-nonsense performance, though opted to hoof clear too often. A big threat in QPR's box, but allowed the diminutive Hoilett to run in behind him in his own box and prod an uncontested header past Gazzaniga. His shot was cleared off the line before Lambert bundled in.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Luke Shaw

  Did not have much to worry about in the first half due to QPR's absence of a right winger. Happy to let Bosingwa cross to an isolated Cisse. Linked well with Lallana. Gave Mackie too much space in the second half. Was replaced by Fox.

• 
  0

  0

  3.50

  Morgan Schneiderlin

  The defensive lynchpin that enabled Lallana, Ramirez and Puncheon to break forward with such abandon. Tidy, smart, he cleaned up in front of the defence, provided an out-ball and did the simple things very well. Smartly collected a short corner and crossed for Ferdinand to knock past his own keeper.

• 
  0

  1

  2.00

  G. Ramírez

  Struggling to live up to his record transfer tag; found it hard to affect the match, though occasionally showed flashes of his talent around the penalty area. Did not help Clyne out much defensively, and gave Taarabt too much space to cross for Hoilett's headed goal. Replaced by Davis not long after half-time.

• 
  0

  0

  3.50

  Jack Cork

  Very busy in midfield, dropping deep to contest headers with Cisse, stepping up to join the attack. Tidy in possession, using the ball well and feeding the offensive players ahead of him. Embarked on a mazy run before firing a decent strike towards goal. Combative and cultured.

• 
  0

  0

  2.50

  Adam Lallana

  Not hugely effective, but looked threatening in and around the final third, though that threat was rarely realised. Indecisive around the 'D'. Looked more comfortable in the middle of the pitch, between the lines, than out on the left touch-line.

• 
  0

  1

  3.50

  Jason Puncheon Top of the Match

  Explosive down the right, firing off a number of vicious shots from range. Doubled the Saints' lead when he picked up Clyne’s pass, burst in-field and fizzed a curling effort into the far corner and beyond Cesar’s reach. Missed a brilliant chance to extend Southampton's lead but volleyed wide.

• 
  3

  0

  3.50

  Rickie Lambert

  Bullish and robust, Lambert scrapped with Nelsen and Ferdinand from the first minute, harrying, tussling, barging. Put his body on the line, literally, to bundle in Southampton’s opener from close range. A nuisance for QPR to deal with.

Substitutions

• 
  0

  0

  2.50

  Daniel Fox

  Replaced Shaw towards the end of the second half and dealt with Mackie better than Shaw had.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Steven Davis

  Came on for the peripheral Ramirez not long after half-time as Adkins' looked to preserve his side's lead. Worked hard, scrapping in midfield.

• 
  0

  0

  Jay Rodriguez

  Replaced Lambert with no time to influence the match.