Queens Park Rangers have opened up a 2-0 lead over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light as they look to secure their first away points of the season.

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QPR tried to put the home side under pressure early on when Niko Kranjcar picked out Bobby Zamora from a free kick, but the striker headed wide.

The visitors continued to look the more likely in the early stages as Leroy Fer was left unmarked 25 yards out, allowing the Dutch international to unleash a powerful effort, but it was comfortably saved by Costel Pantilimon.

Sunderland's first opportunity followed soon after, but Patrick van Aanholt's volley at the back post flew well high of the crossbar following a quick break from Anthony Reveillere.

It was QPR who opened the scoring though, when Matthew Phillips fired a cross in from the right to leave Fer to powerfully head the ball into the far corner.

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The visitors had a chance to double their lead before the break when Fer got the ball on the edge of the box, but his low strike was kept out by the post.

The did find the back of the net again just before the interval though, as Zamora was there to turn in another cross from Phillips.