BBC 18/12/10
Leeds United 2 QPR 0
Gradel's brace gave Leeds a win that extends their unbeaten run to nine games
By Phil Dawkes 
Leeds moved to second in the table after Max Gradel's brace gave them a deserved win over league leaders QPR in an entertaining game at Elland Road.
The home side had the better of an open encounter and took the lead through Gradel's close-range half-volley.
The winger struck again midway through the second half, capping a solo run with a good near-post finish.
QPR threatened intermittently in the first half but were never allowed to assert themselves on the game.
Rangers' home loss to Watford in their previous match - which halted their attempt to equal a club record of 20 games unbeaten - meant Leeds replaced them as holders of the Championships longest unbeaten run, which is now extended to nine.
Neil Warnock's side remain top of the table but are now just three points clear of today's opponents and a further point ahead of Cardiff, whose home game with Burnley was called off because of the snow, and Swansea, who lost 1-0 at Sheffield United.
The Yorkshire side - roared on by a crowd of 30,000 - were fully deserving of their victory, having out-worked and out-classed QPR, who had chances in the first half but offered little else.
After a low-key opening from both teams, Leeds created the first real goalscoring opportunity when winger Robert Snodgrass crossed for Luciano Becchio, but the Argentine's close-range header was tipped over by Rangers keeper Paddy Kenny.
The visitors responded with a long-range shot from captain Adel Taarabt, which flew wide of the post.
They also saw a Clint Hill header blocked by Leeds defender Neill Collins, while Kaspars Gorkss volleyed wide when well placed in the area.
The home side began to exert themselves on the game and were rewarded in the 25th minute when Snodgrass engineered room to cross with his right foot and Becchio headed down for Gradel to fire home from close range with a well-executed left-foot half-volley.
With Leeds in the ascendancy, a one-two between Jonny Howson and Gradel gave the latter a chance to extend Leeds' lead, but the winger's shot on the stretch was fired past the post.
Leeds picked up where they left off after the break and Becchio had the first opportunity of the second half with a shot from 20 yards that Kenny was able to scramble away.
With 20 minutes to go, Gradel doubled the home side's lead when he picked up the ball in his own half and drove on into the QPR box before unleashing a shot that beat Kenny at the near post.
It could have been three goals minutes later but Kenny's superb save denied Howson from a stinging shot.
And the visiting keeper was called into action again soon after to palm away Snodgrass' long-range effort as Leeds threatened to over-run Neil Warnock's men. The damage had already been done by the home side though and they were able to take the foot off the gas in the closing stages as QPR accepted their fate.
Leeds moved to second in the table after Max Gradel's brace gave them a deserved win over league leaders QPR in an entertaining game at Elland Road.
The home side had the better of an open encounter and took the lead through Gradel's close-range half-volley.
The winger struck again midway through the second half, capping a solo run with a good near-post finish.
QPR threatened intermittently in the first half but were never allowed to assert themselves on the game.
Rangers' home loss to Watford in their previous match - which halted their attempt to equal a club record of 20 games unbeaten - meant Leeds replaced them as holders of the Championships longest unbeaten run, which is now extended to nine.
Neil Warnock's side remain top of the table but are now just three points clear of today's opponents and a further point ahead of Cardiff, whose home game with Burnley was called off because of the snow, and Swansea, who lost 1-0 at Sheffield United.
The Yorkshire side - roared on by a crowd of 30,000 - were fully deserving of their victory, having out-worked and out-classed QPR, who had chances in the first half but offered little else.
After a low-key opening from both teams, Leeds created the first real goalscoring opportunity when winger Robert Snodgrass crossed for Luciano Becchio, but the Argentine's close-range header was tipped over by Rangers keeper Paddy Kenny.
The visitors responded with a long-range shot from captain Adel Taarabt, which flew wide of the post.
They also saw a Clint Hill header blocked by Leeds defender Neill Collins, while Kaspars Gorkss volleyed wide when well placed in the area.
The home side began to exert themselves on the game and were rewarded in the 25th minute when Snodgrass engineered room to cross with his right foot and Becchio headed down for Gradel to fire home from close range with a well-executed left-foot half-volley.
With Leeds in the ascendancy, a one-two between Jonny Howson and Gradel gave the latter a chance to extend Leeds' lead, but the winger's shot on the stretch was fired past the post.
Leeds picked up where they left off after the break and Becchio had the first opportunity of the second half with a shot from 20 yards that Kenny was able to scramble away.
With 20 minutes to go, Gradel doubled the home side's lead when he picked up the ball in his own half and drove on into the QPR box before unleashing a shot that beat Kenny at the near post.
It could have been three goals minutes later but Kenny's superb save denied Howson from a stinging shot.
And the visiting keeper was called into action again soon after to palm away Snodgrass' long-range effort as Leeds threatened to over-run Neil Warnock's men. The damage had already been done by the home side though and they were able to take the foot off the gas in the closing stages as QPR accepted their fate.
