Rumarn Burrell continued his hot streak, Ilias Chair rolled back the years against his favourite opponent, and Jimmy Dunne capped his fine fortnight with a goal as QPR finally cut loose in attack and twice came from behind to beat Hull City at Loftus Road – Jamie Perry was there for LFW.

With a rare weekend without QPR in my life, and in an attempt to feel alive again after the artery hardening display at Bramall Lane, I went to see Babyshambles at the O2 Academy in Brixton.

Midway through the gig they played a song called Back from the Dead from their first album. This provided a very apt title from QPR’s own Pete Doherty both for Shambles themselves and for his football team a week later. Against Hull City at Loftus Road, QPR came from behind in a game twice for the first time in 19 years (a 4-2 win over Crystal Palace in November 2006 as per Jack Supple), to win 3-2.

A pulsating, electric second half display from the R’s so far away from the game in Sheffield that it’s a surprise it even happened in the same universe never mind the same league two weeks apart. Like going from a night in round James Corden’s gaff to watch the new Mrs Brown’s Boys special to an all-inclusive five- star holiday with Sydney Sweeny in the Med. Rangers took a season high 26 shots on goal in a twisting turning game which I was in danger of enjoying had I not been so emotionally invested.

The big news before kick-off was the grand re-emergence of Jake Clarke- Salter, straight back into the starting eleven for his first appearance since January (never mind back from the dead, I was starting to wonder if I had imagined his existence to begin with) and he was front and centre of the first meaningful action of the game when his beautiful deep cross on six minutes saw Rumarn Burrell get across his man and meet it with a flick six yards out, saved low by Hull keeper Ivor Pandur and when Richard Kone was alive to the rebound he found Ryan Giles in his way to block out for a corner.

QPR had also seen a shot by Jimmy Dunne from the edge of the box end up somewhere around the Hayes Bypass and a good bit of work from Karamoko Dembele, beating his man down the byline and forcing a near post save from Pandur in a promising opening fifteen minutes, so naturally they found themselves 1-0 down by 17.

A weak pass in midfield from Kone saw Regan Slater beat Jonathan Varane to the loose ball and start a Hull counter- attack right through the space in the middle of the field vacated by the Frenchman. While I completely agree that the pass from Kone was poor, I do think that Varane needs to be slightly more alert and stronger there as well and certainly should have provided more effort than his half- arsed jog behind Slater as he ran off into the distance.

Now running at a retreating defence, the Hull midfielder laid the ball off to Joe Geldhart, who had been allowed to join him unfollowed and completely free, who stood up Clarke- Salter knocked it past him and poked home at the near post. Great- Uncle Ben Hamer, who retained his place in goal after a decent performance before the break, really shouldn’t be getting beaten there for me. One shot for the Tigers, one goal. Faaaaantastic.

No matter, Rangers rallied and five minutes later a gorgeous cross from Ilias Chair found the head of Kone who headed over from close-range when he should have done better. A bit high for the Ivorian perhaps but his form of late has been a little concerning, especially when compared to his strike- partner Burrell who we’ll get onto later. For me he looks low in confidence and needs a goal soon. Later in the game off a breakaway he found himself in a similar position to the one he scored from against Wrexham, unlike that day he tried to pass to Dembele instead of shoot which I think he would’ve done back in September.

On 29 minutes, Kaddy teed up Illy for a shot from the edge of the box which flashed across goal and wide, and seven minutes later Amadou Mbengue, deployed at right- back again in this one, set off on one of his wild runs. Sense of adventure only matched by his lust for gratuitous violence, the Senegalese managed to get all the way to the edge of the box before tackled out for a corner, which was cleared for Dembele to volley over from the edge of the box.

The Hoops did eventually find their way level on 38. A purposeful run from Dembele right through the heart of the Hull defence made it happen, and when the little Scot’s pass to Kone just outside the box was deflected back to him he saw his own attempt at a shot nicked away from him by Amir Hadziahmetovic. The ball broke back to Mbengue who’s attempt at a 25- yard Howitzer was blocked by Charlie Hughes just before reaching the goal and the ball fell to Chair who turned in his first goal of the season from seven yards. This exactly the type of goal we’ve been crying out for the Moroccan to add to his game more consistently for years, in the box, alive and alert. He’d already scored more goals against Hull than any other side prior to this, and that’s five now for Chair against the Tigers.

Two minutes later, Slater gave the ball away cheaply to Chair in exactly the sort of range he’s more accustomed to and the R’s number ten cut inside for his trademark 25- yard curler which Pandur got down to smartly. Hull really don't seem to be fast learners - I’m not sure it’s the best idea for you to just give him free hits lads.

Half time then and so far, so six out of ten. Some good signs but room for improvement, what you don’t want to do is conceded another soft goal early in the second half. So of course this is exactly what Rangers did.

Six minutes after the interval, there looked to be little immediate danger when Giles picked up the ball wide. Although it’s probably not the greatest plan to allow the league’s top assister time and space in a crossing position, and creating danger from any situation possible is what QPR specialises in. The visiting left- back steadied himself and whipped in a delicious deep cross into the six-yard box where Enis Destan shrugged Clarke- Salter off far too easily and headed beyond Hamer for 2-1. Why are you like this?

The high of the Tiger didn’t last long. QPR showed great spirit to rally for a second time, whereas previously heads would have dropped. This is where the game reached its chaos stage. Dembele, having his best game for the club in a long while, released Burrell down the visitors left but the Jamaican chose to shoot straight into the keeper’s chest from a tight angle when Kone was begging for it to be slid across for an easy tap in. A minute later Dembele again slipped a teammate in down Hull’s left, this time it was Mbengue and his low cross was cleared for a corner just before Chair got there.

It was from this the most unlikely of sources that the second equaliser came. Not directly of course but when Nicolas Madsen’s deep corner hit Dunne on the bonce and fell to Chair the little attacker recycled the play via a 1-2 with Rhys Norrington- Davies. This left Illy with tonnes of space to run into towards the byline, and he cut back perfectly to Jimmy Dunne completely free in front of the penalty spot. The Rangers captain’s left footed shot looped up and over a City defender on the line and nestled perfectly into the net behind him.

Big week for Dunne after being part of that Ireland squad who secured wins over Portugal and Hungary in the most dramatic fashion to qualify for the World Cup play-offs. Was it a mishit? Perhaps. Do I care? Absolutely fucking not.

Rather than rest of their ‘aurels, the R’s went for the kill. Kaddy Dembele off on another run through the visitors’ heart shot up and over. Hull again giving the ball away cheaply to Chair (not learning then are we lads) who in turn feeds Dembele who twists and turns his way into winning a free kick on the edge of the box. Straight into the wall from the Moroccan. Mbengue again (I hear you’re a flying fallback now father) overlapping down the right, another ball across the face of goal falls to Chair who lays off to Norrington- Davies, blocked for a corner. At one point Jimmy Dunne found his way into the away side’s box and just stayed there for a bit as an auxiliary striker, because why not?

There will be no convoluted tales from Greek Mythology today, we have business to attend to, actual real football to write about. We’re a world away from Derby away here. Honestly from the moment the second went in it felt like a third was coming for the hosts and on the 66th minute sure enough it arrived.

An Ilias Chair cross cleared out to Mbengue wide right. He lays the ball inside to Dembele who picks out Chair in the centre of the box. A turn and a shot, blocked by Hughes and the ball breaks loose to Rumarn Burrell. Eight yards out with just the keeper to beat and the form the former Burton mans in, it was only going to end one way, and he stroked home.

Time stood still for a second as the entire R Block around me and Burrell himself looked over to see if there was flag to ruin our joy, there was none. Three actual whole goals, as many as we’ve scored in our last four home games combined. Five in his last seven for Burrell, four in the last four home games and Jack Supple tells us only three players have scored more EFL goals than him in 2025. The signing of the season by a mile so far.

In amongst the earlier chaos Clarke- Salter’s return came to a close after an hour and he was replaced Steve Cook. Second goal aside a solid display from the ex- England under 21 international, an example of how good he is when we actually manage to get him on the pitch. Stéphan said post-match it was always the plan to play him for 60 minutes so no injuries there and hopefully we get to see some more of him in the coming games with Blackburn and Norwich, as long as the turn in weather doesn’t get to him and he seizes up.

There were scares to come, because this is QPR there’s always scares to come, three minutes after the goal Hull dribbled their way into the box and a scramble ensued which Rangers managed to clear. A few minutes later Cook’s headed clearance found Giles on the edge of the box and his shot was spilled by Hamer but cleared away for a corner.

On 77 the game looked up, Giles again the creator a whipped low ball into the six- yard box behind the home defence. Kyle Joseph reaching beyond Cook and getting a toe to it from no distance at all. Hamer there big and strong somehow in the way to stop it from going in and QPR again scramble away. Right place right time, a brilliant stop.

Two minutes from time a deep cross into the box saw Hamer come flying out only to get beaten to the ball by City sub Darko Gyabi (NOOOO BEN) thankfully for the keeper and for us his header was too high, and it went over for a goal kick. I guess this can happen when you’ve worked yourself into a position where you have to bring Methuselah out of retirement to play between the sticks. Sometimes he giveth, sometimes he taketh away.

In all fairness though QPR we’re just as likely to get a fourth as Hull were to equalise. The addition of Kieran Morgan and return of boy with the big hair Rayan Kolli for Mbengue and Kone both quality cameos which asks the question why they haven’t been given more playing time in recent games. Based of this game and his appearance at Bristol City, if you believe the official party line from the club that Kolli’s absence has been due to his performances then please take care when buying a used car.

On 75 minutes, Kolli was played in down the right and played in a low ball across which Burrell was inches away from getting to first and poking home. The resulting Madsen corner fell plum for Steve Cook to catch full on the volley and it whizzed just over the bar. If that had gone it the place would have come down, agonising close to an all-time stairs goal.

Ten from time, Koki Saito, who was introduced for the excellent Dembele, was the latest player to find joy between Hull’s left centre-back and full back, but his low-cut back was behind everyone. You can see why only the Sheffield clubs have conceded more than Hull this season. A minute later and the Japanese winger was played into an identical position by one of the balls of the match by Kieran Morgan down the right channel. This time Koki pulled it back to find Kolli who had the freedom of Shepherds Bush to pick his spot but dithered too long and his admittedly well placed but weak shot was saved well by Pandur, when he needed to just put his foot through it really.

Never mind, four minutes went up on the board and some great work on the touchline from Kolli to win a free-kick and booking from the away side, before some clever shielding in the corner from the Algerian to win a throw had us feeling all smug with ourselves. QPR of course launched this throw in right back to the Tiger’s starting a break which ended with Saito having to commit a foul on halfway with a minute left. Hull presented with an opportunity to launch one final attack into the home box, took one right out of the QPR playbook and started pissing around with short passes on the halfway line. I like this lot; they’re just like us.

A much-needed victory then a first in five for the Hoops which in this mad Championship season leaves us 15th but only three points off the play-offs. Mbengue celebrated this by picking a random child up out of the lower loft and started parading him about like the FA Cup trophy.

In the November edition of the Patreon podcast this week, Clive, Jim Freyling and Dave Barton spoke about how this moment feels like a tipping point for Rangers’ season. If they can continue to put in more performances like the second half here then we may be able to tentatively start looking up rather than worrying about what Oxford and Portsmouth are up to this week.

Links >>> Ratings and Reports >>> Message Board Match Thread

QPR: Hamer 5, Mbengue 6 (Morgan 72, 6), Dunne 7, Clarke- Salter 6 (Cook 61, 6), Norrington- Davies 7, Varane 6, Madsen 6, Dembele 7 (Saito 79, 6), Chair 8, Burrell 7, Kone 5 (Kolli 72, 6)

Subs not used: Nardi, Morrison, Field, Smyth, Frey

Goals: Chair 38 (unassisted), Dunne 55 (assisted Chair), Burrell 66 (assisted Chair)

Hull: Pandur 6, Coyle 5, Egan 5, Hughes 5, Giles 7, Hadziahmetovic 5 (Gyabi 62, 5), Slater 5 (Belloumi 72, 5), Gelhardt 6, Crooks 4, Joseph 4 (Akintola 84, N/A), Destan 6 (Ndala 63, 4)

Subs not used: Phillips, Famewo, Drameh, Ajayi, McCarthy

Goals: Gelhardt 17 (assisted Slater), Destan 51 (assisted Giles)

Yellow cards: Crooks 90+2 (Foul)

QPR Star Man- Ilias Chair 8 Obviously the goal and assists stick him out as the star man on their own, but this was one of those games where Illy took the game by the scruff of the neck, was everywhere and involved in everything good that Rangers did on the pitch. Ilias Chair position bingo in full swing, just a stint in goal away from a full house. A timely reminder that he is and has been for a long time the best player in our team and we have been lucky to have him for so long.

Referee- James Linington (Isle of Wight) 7 A solid display from a solid referee. At the time it looked like the Burrell goal may have been offside, even he seemed surprised he wasn’t, but the side angle replays show he’s clearly on and it’s a good decision.

Attendance: 16,657 (1526 away) Wet and wonderful

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Pictures - Reuters Connect

Marshy67 added 09:08 - Nov 24 "QPR came from behind in a game twice for the first time in 19 years." WOW! Some stat that.
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Oxfordhoop added 10:53 - Nov 24 Thanks Jamie. Great report. I thought Norrington-Davis had a great game and would have been my Star Man if Ilias hadn’t turned into a goal making machine.
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tsbains64 added 12:08 - Nov 24 Great report . Spot on with the MOTM - it was like Chair of old
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nesteroid added 14:17 - Dec 2 I was trying to write a casual icebreaker for a community meetup and found myself stuck, so I googled “ridiculous puns” just for a spark. Somewhere deep in the search I landed on https://punsplosion.com/ and the rest was just scrolling and laughing at jokes built from thin air. I copied a few and used them during introductions, and suddenly everyone felt looser. I liked that it didn’t need to be clever — just unpolished silliness. It genuinely made the event feel easier for everyone.

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