QPR earned a collective pat on the back from Harry Redknapp for refusing to buckle after conceding a goal to Arsenal in just 20 seconds at Loftus Road.

Rangers looked as if they might be heading for a pasting when Theo Walcott gave the Gunners the earliest of leads - the fastest goal in the Premier League this season.

But the relegated Hoops delighted the boss with their gritty response, which almost earned them a point.

“It was an awful start, but I thought we showed fantastic spirit today,” Redknapp said.

“We go one down within a minute, but there was nothing in the game. They had spells of good possession but I always felt we looked like we were going to get something from the game.

“Their keeper had to pull off a world class save late on [to deny Loic Remy].

“They could have dropped their heads after the goal and we could have been beaten five or six, but we weren't – we got after them, we worked them and I thought it was an excellent performance. I'm delighted with the players.”

The QPR manager added: “We played like that against Wigan with 10 men here two weeks ago.

“People keep on about lack of spirit, but it's not spirit we've lacked, we've lacked people to score goals and maybe we've lacked a little bit of ability in certain areas."

Redknapp, who says he already has an idea of who to retain next season in the Championship, singled out two performances from the 1-0 defeat.

“I thought there were some good performances again today," he said. “Tal Ben Haim, at right back, I thought gave an excellent performance and Andros Townsend was a constant threat to them. I thought he ran the left back ragged at times.”

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