3 things we clearly learnt about QPR after their 3-0 win v Cardiff | OneFootball

QPR have gone top of the Championship after their 3-0 victory over 10-man Cardiff City at Loftus Road last night.

They were aided by an early red card for Bluebirds defender Jack Simpson, who was given his marching orders for bringing down Sinclair Armstrong inside the box after 18 minutes.

Lyndon Dykes converted the spot kick and would bag a second before Kenneth Paal scored his first goal for the west London club late on to cap off a fantastic performance.

It was quite the response from the weekend’s defeat to Luton Town and leaves them as league leaders heading into Saturday’s game against Wigan Athletic.

Before we turn our full focus to the Latics’ visit, here are three things we clearly learnt about QPR after their 3-0 win against Cardiff…

Lyndon Dykes is brimming with confidence right now

Two more goals for the big Scot, who has put his early season struggles far, far behind him now.

The 27-year-old has always been a streaky scorer and someone that relies on confidence, and he is absolutely brimming with the stuff right now.

He stroked his penalty into the bottom corner and then arrived right on time to bundle in his second but it was the efforts that went just wide that best indicated the mood he is in right now.

Dykes put a flying volley just over the crossbar and after creating space for himself with a defender on his back, fired an edge-of-the-box strike narrowly wide.

The striker took his tally for the season to five goals last night and it would be a surprise if he doesn’t add to that in the next few weeks.

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Ilias Chair is relishing being the R’s main man

When Chris Willock was sidelined with injury, the Hoops needed Ilias Chair to step up and my god has he done just that.

He was the beating heart of the R’s attacking play in last night’s 3-0 win, making the most of his team’s one-player advantage and pulling the strings in a comprehensive victory.

That’s three goals and six assists for the 24-year-old now – only two players have more goal contributions in the Championship this term.

Together Willock and Chair are a real problem for opposition sides but there is no denying that the Moroccan playmaker is relishing being their main man in his attacking colleague’s absence.

Reasons to be cheerful whatever happens with Mick Beale

There was a party atmosphere at Loftus Road after last night’s victory sent the R’s top but the elephant in the room was impossible to ignore.

Reports emerged ahead of kick-off suggesting that Wolves had made Mick Beale their number one target as they hunt for a new manager and the Hoops boss admitted after the win that it would be a big 24 hours for him and the club.

The job the former Aston Villa and Rangers assistant has done is hugely impressive but we saw last night that there are reasons to be cheerful even if he departs.

The squad looks stronger than it has been in years, the fans are fully engaged, there are young players like Armstrong coming through, and the Championship is wide open this term.

There is life beyond Beale – if it comes to that.