Warnock happy to put up with Taarabt as QPR go top

LONDON: Neil Warnock promised to keep faith with temperamental star Adel Taarabt as QPR cemented their position on top of the Cham-pionship with a 4-0 rout of promotion rivals Swansea.

Warnock’s side made the perfect start to the frantic festive period as two goals from Taarabt and strikes from Jamie Mackie and Heidar Helguson opened up a four-point lead at the top.

Even the first half dismissal of Clint Hill, sent off along with Swansea’s Alan Tate following an off-the-ball clash, couldn’t disrupt QPR’s rhythm thanks to former Tottenham midfielder Taarabt’s superb display.

The Moroccan set up Mackie’s opener, won the penalty that Helguson converted and then struck twice himself in the second half.

“Taarabt was excellent, that’s what we know he can do,” Warnock said.

“It’s one of those things you have to accept that sometimes he’s the opposite – like the other day (against Watford).

“I don’t think anyone in the Premier League will want him – who would put up with him?“

Cardiff moved above Leeds into second place with a 2-0 home victory over play-off challengers Coventry.

Dave Jones’ side clinched their second victory in eight matches through Seyi Olofinjana’s cool first half finish and Craig Bellamy’s deflected second half effort.

Leeds slipped to third place after squandering a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw with Sven Goran Eriksson’s Leicester at the Walkers Stadium.

Former England and Manchester City coach Eriksson said: “We didn’t start very well, we did not pass and we were not very good.

“Leeds were very aggressive in the first half and did not allow us to play our normal game. The good thing was we showed we could fight in the second half and that is why we did not lose.”

Reading moved to within a point of the play-off places with a crushing 4-1 win at home to Bristol City.

Burnley came from behind to beat Barnsley 2-1 and ease the pressure on under-fire boss Brian Laws, while Portsmouth and Millwall drew 1-1 at Fratton Park.

The matches between Crystal Palace and Norwich, Derby and Doncaster, Ipswich and Watford, Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest, and Preston and Scunthorpe were all postponed due to frozen pitches.