Premier League: Everton 0 QPR 1

Queens Park Rangers earned their first points in the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Everton thanks to a clinical finish from Tommy Smith.

The Toffees were starting their Premier League season a week late after their game away to Tottenham Hotspur was postponed because of the London riots, while QPR had a rude awakening in their first game in England’s top flight, losing 4-0 at home to Bolton Wanderers.

The game started quite scrappily as both teams looked to settle, and it did not take QPR long to have the first opportunity through Smith, but he fired his shot wide of the left-hand post in the third minute.

Everton responded in kind minutes later, with Jermaine Beckford and Tim Cahill both going close.

The hosts had the first clear-cut chance of the game in the 21st minute after a free kick from Baines hit the underside of the bar and rebounded away after some good work by Ross Barkley just outside the penalty area.

This dominance continued for the home side, with chances for Barkley and Cahill being dealt with, but it was QPR that took the lead in the 31st minute through Smith, who received a cross from Akos Buzsaky, turned his marker and finished clinically to the far post.

It was QPR’s first goal in the top division in English football for 15 years, and it seemed to damage Everton’s confidence, but they had a good chance in the 38th minute through Australian Cahill, who headed wide when he seemed almost certain to score.

Tim Cahill had a shout for a penalty in the 40th minute, before again heading over the bar again after a testing cross from Baines

Everton began the second half brightly, with Jack Rodwell shooting straight at QPR goalkeeper Paddy Kenny after being put through on goal by Johnny Heitinga.

Frustration was beginning to creep into Everton’s play, as they found themselves unable to retain possession, while Leon Osman had a shot blocked in the 60th minute when he could have played the ball through to either Heitinga or Beckford.

Everton were beginning to take more of the attacking initiative, with the impressive Barkley shooting wide from 25 yards in the 72nd minute as QPR were kept largely in their own half.

However, the Toffees were struggling to increase the tempo of play despite controlling possession, as QPR were able to deal with any forward movement and hold on for their first win of the season.