Queens Park Rangers cruised to a comfortable victory against struggling Derby County to end a run of four consecutive draws in the Championship.

The promotion-chasing Londoners moved into fifth spot after seeing off an injury-hit Rams side who never recovered from a first-half onslaught.

Alfie Lloyd and Harvey Vale scored goals either side of a Nicolas Madsen penalty to put Julien Stephan's side in control before the break at Loftus Road. Paul Smyth scored a fourth in the 68th minute to complete a miserable night for the visitors.

Lars-Jorgen Salvesen grabbed a late consolation for the Rams, who have now taken just two points from their past six games.

QPR went close to taking the lead in the sixth minute. Smyth's shot was deflected into the path of Rayan Kolli, who tried to steer home, only to find his path blocked by a brilliant challenge from Sondre Langas.

It was to be a costly intervention for the Norwegian, who was forced off with injury just a few minutes later, further adding to the Rams' recent defensive injury woes.

The home side took the lead in the 18th minute. A long Ronnie Edwards pass found Boy Kemper, who scuttled past Mo Fuseini down the left wing, before cutting the ball to Lloyd. The 23-year-old drove the ball past Josh Vickers to put the Londoners ahead.

QPR doubled their lead four minutes later when Ryan Hedges was judged to have brought down Smyth inside the box as the hosts hit Derby on the counter-attack. Madsen rolled his penalty into Vickers' bottom left-hand corner to increase the advantage.

Rangers were oozing with confidence throughout the opening 45 minutes and three points were all-but-assured just before half-time when Derby failed to deal with the home side's quick movement. A half-cleared ball fell to Vale, who wriggled his way into space and drove a low right-footed shot into the bottom left-hand corner to make it 3-0.

John Eustace's beleaguered side tried to find a way back into the game and went close in the 51st minute. Bobby Clark saw his effort blocked following good work by Sammy Szmodics.

But any hopes of a comeback were finished off in emphatic style when Smyth's curling shot deflected against Joe Ward and sailed past Vickers, giving Rangers a 4-0 lead.

The game ended on a sad note for Rangers when Amadou Mbengue was carried off on a stretcher after seemingly suffering a knee injury late on, with Salvesen grabbing a late goal for the Rams in the 10th minute of stoppage time.

QPR boss Julien Stephan told BBC Radio London:

"What pleased me most was probably the first 30 minutes, how we started the game, and how the players were able to connect themselves with different movement and how we attacked the different spaces.

"The quality of the collective movement in the third goal is probably a symbol of that. I am proud of how they played in the first 30 minutes, and also proud of the reaction that they had immediately at the start of the second half as I was not happy with the last 15 minutes of the first half.

"I felt we dropped too much, had less intensity, less aggression, less energy on the pitch, and less quality on the ball so it was important for us to restart strongly collectively.

"Tonight was an opportunity for some players to show their qualities and it's exactly what the players who played up front did. It was important for their confidence, but we must not forget what all the other players did. Our behaviour with the ball was outstanding. It is always collective work, and it was very positive for us."

Derby County boss John Eustace told BBC Radio Derby:

"The first 20 minutes I thought we were fine, but individually the goals were too soft. The first one we have to do much better in that wide area. They're defending a basic diagonal ball and missing a couple of duels, not clearing it and it was far too easy.

"The second one was a dubious penalty. I felt Hedges got the ball but the linesman made the decision which was a big call from him on that side. 2-0 is always going to be tough but we have to remember we lost Langas just before that and had to reshuffle things.

"It is disappointing and the manner in which we conceded all four goals was very much avoidable in my opinion. We have to do better individually. No matter who we put out where, whatever shape or formation or personnel is out there, we have to defend better individually.

"We have a lot of talent on the frontline and in midfield, but they also have a responsibility to stop goals and help the backline.

"I think the players will be angry and frustrated, and Saturday is the perfect game to put things right.

"We are making small steps forward. The last two games were positive. It's my job to try to get the best out of the group we've got."