JONATHAN WALTERS’ second career hat-trick and Stoke’s first in the top-flight since 1984 ensured QPR’s miserable away form continued on Saturday with a 3-1 defeat at the Britannia Stadium.
QPR remain without a point on their travels in the Premier League this season as Walters netted the perfect treble – right foot, left foot and header – on his 200th appearance for the club.
Mistakes from Karl Henry and Eduardo Vargas gifted Stoke goals in the opening 45 minutes, with Walters converting twice before Niko Kranjcar pulled a goal back.
It was an error from Henry that enabled Hughes’ side to break the deadlock. The midfielder allowed the ball to run away from him and Stephen Ireland – in for the injured Bojan Krkic – was quick to pounce and play Walters in with a sumptuous backheel, with the striker making no mistake.
Stoke were in complete control and after 33 minutes Walters broke with Ireland after intercepting Vargas’ pass before holding off three defenders to double his tally.
However, QPR responded well and halved the deficit within three minutes as Kranjcar – starting ahead of Bobby Zamora – tapped home after Charlie Austin’s shot had been blocked.
Joey Barton was denied a late leveller when his free-kick rattled the crossbar, but the day belonged to Walters as he netted a third to move Stoke into ninth place in the table, while QPR missed the chance to climb out of the bottom three.
Meanwhile, Sunderland got their first glimpse of Jermain Defoe’s predatory instincts as he netted in their 2-0 win over Burnley.
Defoe scored his first goal for the Black Cats as Gus Poyet’s side cruised to a comfortable victory over their fellow strugglers.
The former Tottenham man arrived from MLS outfit Toronto earlier this month, and marked his third appearance in all competitions with a simple close-range finish shortly after the half-hour mark.
Sunderland were already one ahead by that stage, as both Burnley centre-halves Jason Shackell and Michael Keane were drawn to the presence of Defoe inside the box, leaving Connor Wickham with an easy header from Anthony Reveillere’s cross.
Elsewhere, Everton picked up all three points after a hard-battled 1-0 win over Crystal Palace.
Roberto Martinez’s visitors made a flying start during a frenetic first half, with Lukaku sliding in to put them ahead in just the second minute.
Phil Jagielka did well to maintain that advantage when he cleared Dwight Gayle’s clever chip just two minutes later, but despite plenty of opportunities, the hosts were unable to level before half-time.
Everton could have wrapped the points up 13 minutes from time when Lukaku just failed to connect with Aiden McGeady’s cross.
It was Alan Pardew’s first defeat in charge of Palace.
