The last home game before Christmas saw QPR face a tough challenge in a bid to stay top of the league. Hartlepool may not be one of the favourites for promotion but they are having a good season and began the day in the top six so this was not going to be easy.

Ian Holloway sprung a surprise before kick off by sticking with Nick Culkin in the Rangers goal. Gino Padula back in place of Richard Edghill was the only change as the bench looked pretty strong with Day, Bircham, Rose, McLeod and Furlong waiting for the chance to impress.

In the pouring rain the game kicked off with Rangers looking to extend the lead at the top of the table. But it was Hartlepool who started the brighter coming at us and trying to win the game which was refreshing to see at Loftus Road with so many teams happy to defend for a point. The Rangers defence though was superbly disciplined and continually caught the Hartlepool forwards offside with the well drilled offside trap.

Gareth Ainsworth had a few efforts to give us the lead with a header flashing wide after good work by Palmer. Ainsworth also went close with a shot straight at the keeper after good play by Gallen and Thorpe.

Hartlepool did have a few chances though with shots flying wide and a corner from the right causing a few anxious moments and the offside trap saw a goal disallowed as Williams ran through but it looked a very close decision.

With around 20 minutes on the clock I was hoping for half time so we could sort a few things out and get back on top but Rangers then clicked into first gear and showed why we our the bookies favourites to go up.

Ainsworth did well again on the right and picked out Rowlands with an excellent cross and the midfielder met the ball with a firm header but it cannoned off the crossbar and was cleared. The pressure began to build and we managed to break the deadlock after 27 minutes. Thorpe hit a shot on the turn which was blocked and fell to Ainsworth to cross in and Gallen rose to head past the keeper and give us the lead.

Confidence is so high at Loftus Road these days they as soon as that went in you could see one outcome and that was a home win. For the next 15 minutes Rangers were simply outstanding and blew Hartlepool away. Gallen set up Ainsworth with a good cross but the keeper denied him again before goal number two arrived.

Hartlepool are not the first team to suffer at the hands of Gino Padula set pieces and this one was a real treat. A corner on the right wing was brilliantly whipped in right under the cross bar which must be so difficult for the keeper to deal with. He made a real hash of it though as he palmed the ball into his own net and managed to almost knock himself out on the goal post in one mad movement.

It was game over now and a third goal was not far away as the stadium erupted into an early Christmas party.
The third goal was a brilliant Rangers move. Ainsworth did well to cut inside and play a lovely ball into Gallen who held off the defender and slotted home to kill the game off.

It could have been worse for the visitors who must have wondered what the hell was going on after a promising start, Rowlands and Thorpe had chances for a fourth at the half time whistle saw the team given a standing ovation off the pitch.

The only thing that could beat us now was complacency but within a few minutes of the second half we added another goal. Gino was again the provider with a free kick right on the touchline on the right wing. His delicious curling cross caused havoc and Ainsworth got on the end of it to head home a deserved goal, which is Ainsworth's seventh of the season.

At this stage you began to wonder how many we would get as it was so one sided but Rangers sat back and played out the rest of the game happy with what we had. Hartlepool were too shell shocked to take advantage and the game became a bit of a bore.

To their credit Hartlepool kept going and got a goal back with twenty minutes left. A cross on the left found Williams unmarked and he finished it well by Culkin to give them a small hope as the Rangers fans sang pig back to celebrate their moment.

Gallen and Thorpe were then taken off to freshen things up as Furlong and McLeod got a chance but the game was filtering out into a bit of a bore which was understandable after the stunning 20 minute spell in the first half.

QPR fans kept themselves amused with a version of the 12 days of Christmas which was most amusing. Matthew Rose then got a good ovation as he returned to league action replacing Gino Padula but the game was over now and the referees whistle confirmed we stayed top of the league, six points clear of third place.

Rangers now go into the busy Christmas period full of confidence although back to back away games are going to be difficult but if we can get through the Christmas and New Year period still top of the league then we have a fantastic opportunity to run away with the league in the new year.

Man of the Match: Gino Padula

Players Ratings:

13. Nick Culkin: Had very little to do but had a decent game and had little chance with the goal. 7/10

2. Terrell Forbes: Another good performance from Terrell as he kept things nice and simple and supported the attack well int he first half. 7/10

3. Gino Padula: A classy performance with one assist and one goal. His free kicks and corners are superb and once again he was calm and assured in defence. 9/10

5. Clarke Carlisle: Far too good for this level when he plays like this and he is working really well with Shittu again. 8/10

6. Danny Shittu: His best performance for a while as he hardly gave them a sniff until we became a bit sloppy int he second half. 7/10

11. Gareth Ainsworth: An excellent performance from Ainsworth. Deserved his goal and was a close second for the man of the match. 8/10

17. Marcus Bean: He is improving with every game and deserves his place in the team at the moment ahead f some very good players. 8/10

4. Steve Palmer: Not at his best but worked hard throughout. 6/10

14. Martin Rowlands: Unlucky not to score in the first half but his skill and passing is a joy to watch. 7/10

9. Tony Thorpe: Once again linked well with Gallen and caused them problems with his movement off the ball 7/10

10. Kevin Gallen: Deserved a hat trick but couldn't quite get it. Ironic that he was being moaned at for not scoring goals a month ago and now he is the clubs top goal scorer. 8/10

Subs

29. Paul Furlong: Didn't do much as the game was all over by the time he came on. 7/10

22. Kevin McLeod: Like Furlong didn't do much when he came on. 6/10

7. Matthew Rose: Good a good ovation and slotted in well at left back 7/10