Stoke 2-3 QPR: Sunday Mirror match report

Tony Pulis insisted Stoke should have had two penalties against Queens Park Rangers as his side slumped to their fourth successive Premier League defeat.

Rangers won at the ­Britannia Stadium after ­surviving a blistering ­barrage and Pulis fumed: “We should have had two penalties for fouls on Jermaine Pennant and Robert Huth.

“Ninety per cent of people would agree we deserved something more from that game. We are creating ­opportunities but we’ve got to stop conceding goals.

“We paid the price for a lack of concentration. That is ­another three goals we have conceded and we need to get back to keeping clean sheets.”

Rangers manager Neil Warnock, meanwhile, paid tribute to the character of his team.

He said: “No one looks ­forward to coming here and it is a great result for us.

“We had to roll our sleeves up. You have to stand up and be counted here and we did that. Heidar Helguson did great for us in both boxes — and he had to play with a golf ball bruise under his eye after an early ­collision.”

The claims that Rangers don’t belong among the elite were erased in this ­belligerent victory.

The Potteries officially boasts the loudest fans in the country. But after a fourth successive league defeat they have to show they are also the most tolerant.

In an intimidating atmosphere, Rangers recovered from conceding an early goal to secure three points at a ground where the good and the great have found life tough.

Yet the start could not have been better for Stoke. Rangers have suffered three

successive league defeats which dampened early-season optimism and they were viewed as ideal fodder for Stoke to return to winning ways.

It all seemed to be going to plan when the home side took the lead after just eight ­minutes.

The usual high-tempo start had the decibels rising and the ear drums were strained further when Peter Crouch capitalised on a mistake in the Rangers midfield to gather possession and send Jonathan Walters into the clear. The shot was neat and crisp and beyond the reach of Paddy Kenny in the Rangers goal.

But Warnock’s outfit do not surrender lightly. Ask ­Chelsea.

And after Clint Hill cleared off the line from Crouch ­following a mix-up between Kenny and Anton Ferdinand, Rangers were level with a goal that left huge ­question marks against the Stoke defence. ­Armand Traore crossed from the left and ­Helguson was in splendid ­isolation to send a bullet header past Thomas Sorensen.

Stoke regrouped and the height of Crouch was a menace to the Rangers ­defence. But the visitors held firm and reaped the ­reward just before half-time. Again the Stoke marking was exposed as a through ball from Shaun Wright-Phillips took three opponents out of the game and Jamie Mackie crossed for Luke Young to fire Rangers into the lead.

If Pulis pointed out the shortcomings at half-time, then the attention span of the Stoke ­defenders is short.

Nine minutes into the second half Rangers ­increased their lead. A corner from Joey Barton was cleared only to Wright-Phillips who ­returned the ball to the midfield player.

With a defence moulded in the Land of the Giants, the cross to the far post should have been cleared. Instead, Helguson, sporting a whispy Movember moustache, was on his own to score from close range.

But whatever Stoke lack in finesse, they make up for with spirit and in the 64th minute they reduced the arrears when Crouch headed on a Matthew Ethrington ­corner for Ryan Shawcross to head home.

The ball was pumped ceaselessly into the Rangers area but the likes of Ferdinand and Danny Gabbidon held firm for a well-earned win.

VERDICT: A thoroughly entertaining clash. Class may be lacking but the commitment could not be faulted and Queens Park Rangers were worth their win.