Rowlands wins it for QPR

QPR enhanced their promotion credentials as Martin Rowlands first-half free-kick earned Iain Dowie’s 10-men all three points against Norwich at Carrow Road last night.

Irish international Rowlands opened the scoring for Rangers when his ferocious 30th-minute free-kick from 20 yards evaded everyone, including helpless Canaries goalkeeper David Marshall to give the visitors an unexpected lead.

The goal came just five minutes after Dowie’s men had been reduced to 10 men after Matthew Connolly had been dismissed for a second bookable offence.