A Yaya Toure header gave Manchester City a 3-2 win at QPR to keep Roberto Mancini’s men five points clear at the top of the Premier League.
QPR started the better of the two sides with Heidar Helguson flashing wide in the opening minutes.
A deserved goal came for the hosts when Joey Barton played in a free-kick from the right, with Jay Bothroyd rising highest to bury the header from eight yards.
Neil Warnock’s men continued to apply pressure, with Jamie Mackie forcing a save from Joe Hart who also reacted well to block Helguson’s follow-up.
QPR’s failure to extend the advantage was soon punished as James Milner slid through a pass to Edin Dzeko who cut in from the left before coolly placing the ball into the bottom corner.
The visitors found a quick breakthrough after the interval as Dzeko fed David Silva, who glided past two defenders and finished from inside the penalty area.
Dzeko then burst through on the hour and let off a left-footed shot, but Paddy Kenny pulled off a smart save to keep it out.
City’s dominant spell was broken with just over 20 minutes left as Armand Traore’s cross was met by Bothroyd whose header deflected off Helguson and into Hart’s goal.
But Mancini’s side bounced straight back as an Aleksandar Kolarov cross swung precisely onto the head of Toure, who nodded home what proved to be the winner.
Helguson nearly registered another equaliser with 10 minutes remaining when he met Bartons free-kick and thumped a towering header against the top of the post.
QPR pushed for another chance but City shut the game down effectively enough to see it out and retain their comfortable advantage at the top of the table.
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