Barnsley 0 Queens Park Rangers 1: Taarabt’s early goal settles Oakwell game

ADEL Taarabt struck in the opening minute at Barnsley to put QPR within touching distance of a long-awaited return to the Premier League.

Both sides displayed attacking prowess and the hosts had chances to restore parity through Jason Shackell and Jacob Butterfield.

Referee Anthony Bates resisted heavy pressure from both sets of fans to dismiss Taarabt and Butterfield after a bad-tempered clash between the pair in the first half.

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The R’s found the back of the net after 47 seconds, returning captain Taarabt tricking the Barnsley defence with a step-over and blasting beyond Luke Steele.

The Tykes were denied four minutes later when Danny Haynes’s powerful shot deflected off Paddy Kenny only for Andy Gray to blast against the former Sheffield United goalkeeper.

Bradley Orr then headed clear when Marlon Harewood found himself in an excellent position to score.

The home fans were on the edge of their seats when Kaspars Gorkss conceded a free-kick after a foul on Gray. Kieran Trippier whipped in a dangerous ball but Kenny was on hand to smother.

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Haynes tested Kenny again but the Republic of Ireland international stood firm to save, before Butterfield skimmed the post on 70 minutes.

Butterfield provided a late scare, his long-range effort rattling Kenny’s post but Rangers held on for victory.

Barnsley: Steele, Trippier, McShane, Shackell, Hill (McEveley 77), Mellis (Clark 77), Doyle, Butterfield, Haynes, Harewood, Gray (Noble-Lazarus 82). Unused substitutes: Preece, Foster, Arismendi, O’Brien.

QPR: Kenny, Gorkss, Orr, Hill, Connolly, Routledge, Derry, Faurlin, Taarabt (Ephraim 69), Helguson, Smith. Unused substitutes: Cerny, Buzsaky, Agyemang, Hulse, Miller, Shittu.

Referee: T Bates (Staffordshire).