Match ends, Birmingham City 0, Queens Park Rangers 2.
BirminghamBirmingham City0QPRQueens Park Rangers2
Ravel Morrison scored twice as Queens Park Rangers secured a first win in six to move within six points of second-placed Burnley.
On-loan West Ham midfielder Morrison, who had a loan spell at Birmingham last season, curled in an early free-kick for his first Rangers goal.
QPR goalkeeper Robert Green maintained the lead with a save from Emyr Huws.
Morrison then had an easy finish from a Jermaine Jenas cross with 18 minutes left at St Andrew's.
Birmingham had nothing to show for their early dominance but, after Paul Robinson fouled Kevin Doyle on the edge of the area, Morrison put the visitors ahead with a strike of real quality.
Green denied on-loan Manchester City midfielder Huws with a great block.
Rangers defender Clint Hill's header from Joey Barton's cross came back off the bar for the visitors just before the interval.
However, Harry Redknapp's side did double their lead when Morrison turned in from a Jenas cross to give Rangers a first win since 28 January.
Birmingham manager Lee Clark:"We had a few good spells but didn't make most of them and paid the ultimate penalty when Rangers killed off the game with two fantastic goals."
QPR assistant manager Kevin Bond:
"We are delighted with the win on the back of a difficult time we have had recently.
"Keeping a clean sheet was pleasing and Morrison's two goals was a terrific performance as he created all sorts of problems.
"No-one doubts his talents and what he can give to a team. It would appear that he has had other issues which have prevented from showing what he is capable of."
Line-ups
Birmingham
Formation 3-4-3
- 1Randolph
- 31CaddisBooked at 45mins
- 27FergusonSubstituted forBlackettat 73'minutes
- 4RobinsonBooked at 13mins
- 14Packwood
- 23Spector
- 24Adeyemi
- 36Huws
- 19ZigicSubstituted forMachedaat 58'minutes
- 7Burke
- 8IbeSubstituted forNovakat 67'minutes
Substitutes
- 6Martin
- 9Macheda
- 12Novak
- 13Doyle
- 20Lee
- 22Shinnie
- 37Blackett
QPR
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Green
- 15Onuoha
- 39Assou-Ekotto
- 16Jenas
- 5Dunne
- 6Hill
- 23HoilettSubstituted forO'Neilat 70'minutes
- 17Barton
- 14DoyleSubstituted forKeaneat 84'minutes
- 4MorrisonSubstituted forCarrollat 87'minutes
- 3Traore
Substitutes
- 10Carroll
- 12Keane
- 18Hughes
- 20Henry
- 26Murphy
- 35Benayoun
- 36O'Neil
- Referee:
- Graham Scott
- Attendance:
- 14,500
Match Stats
Home TeamBirminghamAway TeamQPR
- Possession
- Home43%
- Away57%
- Shots
- Home11
- Away12
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away4
- Corners
- Home4
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Birmingham City 0, Queens Park Rangers 2.
Post update
Attempt missed. Tom Adeyemi (Birmingham City) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Chris Burke with a cross.
Post update
Attempt saved. William Keane (Queens Park Rangers) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jermaine Jenas.
Post update
Foul by Benoit Assou-Ekotto (Queens Park Rangers).
Post update
Federico Macheda (Birmingham City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Queens Park Rangers. Tom Carroll replaces Ravel Morrison.
Substitution
Substitution, Queens Park Rangers. William Keane replaces Kevin Doyle because of an injury.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match Kevin Doyle (Queens Park Rangers) because of an injury.
Post update
Armand Traore (Queens Park Rangers) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Lee Novak (Birmingham City).
Post update
Foul by Gary O'Neil (Queens Park Rangers).
Post update
Chris Burke (Birmingham City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Attempt missed. Lee Novak (Birmingham City) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Emyr Huws following a set piece situation.
Post update
Foul by Ravel Morrison (Queens Park Rangers).
Post update
Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution
Substitution, Birmingham City. Tyler Blackett replaces Shane Ferguson because of an injury.
Goal!
Goal! Birmingham City 0, Queens Park Rangers 2. Ravel Morrison (Queens Park Rangers) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Jermaine Jenas.
Post update
Foul by Gary O'Neil (Queens Park Rangers).
