Win a ´defining moment´, says Hughes

QPR boss Mark Hughes hailed his side’s amazing 3-2 win against Liverpool as a potential “defining moment” in their fight against relegation.

QPR – who had won just three of their last 22 matches in all competitions – trailed 2-0 with 15 minutes to play after Sebastian Coates and Dirk Kuyt scored for the visitors at Loftus Road.

What followed was stunning though, as goals to Shaun Derry, Djibril Cisse and Jamie Mackie gave Hughes’ men a win that saw them climb out of the relegation zone.

“You expect a team of Liverpool’s quality to close the game out,” Hughes said.

“We would have been happy to get 2-2 but thankfully Jamie Mackie didn’t feel that way. From our point of view it’s a huge result in terms of belief and what we take out of the game.”

“It could be a defining moment. We have to make sure that it is. It is important to not lose momentum. In recent weeks we have felt that things have gone against us.”

“Everyone could sense the significance of the result. Going two goals behind is difficult for any team. We showed great belief and were determined to get back into the game. We hope that we look back at this as the season progresses as a turning point.”

Hughes added that he was not concerned with the booing of Joey Barton after he was substituted in the second half, prior to the comeback.

“He wasn’t having the best of times,” he said. “A few people felt the need to boo Joey but he is a strong character and he will have a big role to play for the rest of the season.”

“Tonight wasn’t his night. In defence of Joey he is big enough to keep trying things. It wasn’t happening for him so I took him off.”

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish was stunned afterwards and admitted he did not expect the QPR fight back.

“I don’t have any answers,” Dalglish said. “What more can I say? We need to find answers and make sure we learn from it.”

“I don’t think anybody saw it (QPR’s comeback) coming. Most of the game we were dominant, creative and professional. They have walked away with three points.”

“The way we started the game was fantastic. The only thing missing was a bit of luck in front of goal. We came in at half-time 0-0 but it could have 4-0 easily.”

“You couldn’t see them getting a goal but maybe the luck they didn’t get against Bolton (where they scored a clear goal but it was not given) they got tonight.”