Taarabt is such a likeable rogue – Warnock
Neil Warnock would be the first to tell you that he was far from the most gifted of players.
As a manager his teams have usually mirrored his playing style - hard-working and hugely determined. Since he has taken over at QPR the squad has been bulked up with the likes of Shaun Derry and Jamie Mackie - typical Warnock players who have the necessary tools where Warnock calls "under the shirt."
But one new signing who runs counter to all these qualities is Adel Taarabt, who played a major part in all Rangers' goals on Saturday to send them to a well-earned win which lifted them back to the Championship summit. Lazy out of possession and theatrical when subjected to slight contact, the Moroccan would hardly strike you as a Warnock favourite.
But the Rangers boss has been surprised by the relationship the two have struck up.
"Taarabt is such a likeable rogue," Warnock said.
"I never thought someone like him could be a Neil Warnock player but I love him.
"He's a talisman for us and when he's at his best, he's very difficult for other teams to handle," said the QPR boss.
Taarabt, at the centre of the action throughout, got things rolling in the first half by converting a penalty in cheeky fashion after teasing Matthew Mills into a wild tackle.
Bradley Orr was sent off just before half-time for the hosts, but the one-man disadvantage only seemed to galvanise QPR.
Alejandro Faurlin grabbed the second after good work from Jamie Mackie and Taarabt. Shane Long then fired home for the visitors, but Tommy Smith wrapped up the points late on as he gobbled up the rebound after a Taarabt free kick.
Rangers are back on top courtesy of Cardiff’s dismal showing against Swansea in the South Wales derby, which they lost 1-0. Brendan Rodgers' side moved up to third with the win and now must have their sights set on closing in on the two front-runners. On-loan Marvin Emnes grabbed the only game in the second-half as the Bluebirds lost for the first time this season with Craig Bellamy in the side.
Martin Paterson notched his first two goals of the season as Burnley looked to be cruising to a routine win at Norwich, but late goals from Chris Martin and Andrew Crofts grabbed a point for the hosts. Ipswich bypassed their East Anglian neighbours and Burnley into fifth place as they beat Sheffield United 2-1, Tamas Priskin and Gareth McAuley with the goals for the in-form Tractor Boys.
The bottom four met, with Middlesbrough registering their first win under Tony Mowbray with a 2-1 defeat of bottom club Crystal Palace whilst Preston shared the spoils with Bristol City, with a Billy Jones' own goal securing the Robins a 1-1 draw.
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