Steve McClaren was full of praise for his players after QPR’s 2-2 draw at Stoke.
Angel Rangel scored both Rangers’ goals in an impressive performance at the Bet 365 Stadium.
What most pleased manager McClaren was the way his side controlled the game for large spells.
He said: “I thought we were excellent. This is a difficult place to come with the quality Stoke have got – the players and the bench.
“What pleased me most was the way we controlled the game. We started ever so well, played football and got a goal up.
“Against the run of play we conceded. That rocked us a bit but in the second half but we showed the courage and the composure to play.
“We dominated and went a goal down – again against the run of play – and the response of the team was tremendous.
“We never stopped, we changed to a diamond and went for it, got the goal and then had to hold on towards the end.”
McClaren revealed that he spoke to the match officials at half-time because he was unhappy about some of the aggressive challenges being dished out to Ebere Eze.
The young forward was excellent for the R’s and sublimely set up both their goals.
McClaren said: “You saw a performance from Ebere Eze that showed his great potential. He was getting fouled too many times, so we just pointed that out.
“Although we make a foul and get a yellow (card), Ebere gets fouled 20 or 30 times and nothing happens.
“They’re small fouls but ones in which he’s away from people and attacking the goal. We wanted protection for him really.”