Barton turns it on as QPR climb out of relegation zone

Joey Barton confounded the naysayers last night as he led embattled QPR to victory against Swansea at Loftus Road as the Hoops climbed out of the relegation zone.

Barton has received a frosty reception since joining from Newcastle, but the captain shone at both ends of the pitch and fired the relegation-threatened west Londoners ahead on the stroke of half-time, controlling the ball with aplomb before lashing home. QPR continued to impress in the second-half and deservedly doubled their advantage 10 minutes after the restart through Jamie Mackie, whose shot from the edge of the box deflected in off Angel Rangel.

The attacker was marginally offside when he collected the ball for the goal but, given the poor run of fortune QPR have endured in recent weeks, there were few complaints in west London.