Premier League: QPR 0 Newcastle 0

QPR were forced to settle for a goalless draw in Monday’s Premier League clash with Newcastle United at Loftus Road.

While the result brings QPR their first point at home this season, the Premier League new boys will feel they should have secured their second victory of the campaign after squandering numerous chances in front of goal.

Neil Warnock handed the captain’s armband to Joey Barton as the midfielder began his QPR career against his former club, while fellow debutants Anton Ferdinand, Armand Traore, Luke Young and Shaun Wright-Phillips all started.

Manchester City signing Wright-Phillips should have opened his account with the west Londoners after nine minutes, the winger unable to keep his header on target after Traore’s dangerous cross.

Former Arsenal and Manchester City player Traore then turned provider for Jay Bothroyd, only for the striker to somehow miss the target from six-yards out, before Wright-Phillips tested goalkeeper Tim Krul from distance.

QPR goalkeeper Paddy Kenny was then forced into action, diving well to save Leon Best’s effort that looked bound for the bottom right hand corner.

Danny Simpson was then on hand to block Bothroyd’s goal bound header, while Wright-Phillips’ well weighted chip looked to have finally opened the scoring five minutes from half-time, only for Steven Taylor to again clear off the line.

QPR’s profligacy continued in the second half, as Young found himself in space in the Newcastle box only to lift his effort from the edge of the six-yard box high over the bar.

Barton again linked up well with Wright Phillips, but the latter’s cleverly worked cross fell just short of the waiting Bothroyd, while Shaun Derry headed wide from a corner after he found himself unmarked in the box.

The result sees Newcastle climb above Liverpool in the early season table to fifth place, while QPR sit mid-table with four points from as many games played.