Times

Neil Warnock, the Queens Park Rangers manager, admits that he has yet to master the pronunciation of Adel Taarabt's name. But he already knows the value of the man he calls "Tarbs" to a team who have won both their Coca-Cola Championship matches since Warnock took over eight days ago.

Taarabt — in his second spell at Loftus Road on loan from Tottenham Hotspur — was on the pitch for only 72 minutes last night, but the ovation as he left it told the story of the match.

The Morocco midfield player had opened the scoring from the penalty spot with his sixth goal of the season, provided the assist for Damion Stewart to head the second and been a thorn in the side of a Plymouth Argyle team who were beaten far more convincingly than the score suggests.

"I knew he'd got a lot of ability," Warnock said. "Harry [Redknapp, the Tottenham manager] said, 'You'll pull your hair out at times,' but I think I'm the right type of manager for him, if I'm honest. I believe in him and he's working as hard as he's ever worked."

Two errors by Kari Arnason gave QPR the advantage at half-time. First, the Iceland defender headed Alan Judge's free kick over the bar when unmarked, then he wrestled Tamas Priskin to the ground. Taarabt converted the inevitable penalty kick.

Taarabt was enjoying himself immensely, getting on the ball as much as possible and taking on defenders. And his dead-ball delivery was spot-on four minutes into the second half, when his inswinging free kick from the left allowed Stewart to glance home his first goal of the season.

Taarabt tried to add more goals with shots from distance and although his accuracy did not match his ambition, QPR were not in the mood to let Plymouth off the hook.

"We knew Plymouth would fight for their lives, but the centre halves were outstanding," Warnock said.

"It's the first clean sheet in 25 matches, I've been told. I'm sure that's right because it was the centre halves who told me."

Plymouth remain seven points from safety. "We need to keep clean sheets and score goals, but it's easier said than done," Paul Mariner, the manager, said.

"David Stockdale hasn't had to make a save and we've lost 2-0.

"It was a terrible penalty to give away and a free header on the far post is unforgivable."

Sun

Neil Warnock last night sang the praises of the star performer whose name he cannot pronounce.

Spurs loanee Adel Taarabt gave new QPR boss Warnock his second victory since his move from Crystal Palace.

Taarabt stunned his gaffer's old club Plymouth when he blasted in a 36th-minute penalty after Kari Arnason bundled over Tamas Priskin.

Then the Moroccan set up Damion Stewart with the killer second shortly after the break with a great free-kick.

Warnock - who admits he has to call Taarabt 'Tarbs' - said: "I know he has got a lot of skill but I've spoken to Harry Redknapp at Spurs about him and he's the sort of player who'll make you pull your hair out at times.

"He's a gifted lad who is working harder than he's ever done and he's going to have to do that to get into Harry's Premier League squad.

"But I think I'm the right manager for him. He knows he doesn't mess around on the halfway line - if he does he knows what he'll get from me."

Taarabt went close to adding a third but his 25-yard drive flashed inches over the bar.

The only consolation for Plymouth boss Paul Mariner was that they are still only seven points away from safety as both Crystal Palace and Sheffield Wednesday also lost last night.

Boss Mariner said: "People have been writing us off ever since I took over - that doesn't bother me in the slightest.

"We conceded a poor penalty at the wrong time and to concede a header at the far post from a free-kick like that was unacceptable.

"To stay up we need to keep clean sheets and score goals and stick to the game plan that got us only one defeat in five games before tonight."

Daily Star

Adel Taarabt was the star turn as QPR cruised to victory over struggling Plymouth.

The on-loan Tottenham flier is being watched by Juventus and Barcelona.

He had already slipped in Jay Simpson only for the Arsenal loan star to fire wide, and also beat three defenders before hitting the side-netting.

So when Rangers were awarded a 35th-minute penalty after Kari Arnason had pulled down Tamas Priskin, it was no surprise to see the Moroccan step up and slot it home.

Defender Damion Stewart made it two-nil after the break with a smart header from a Taarabt free-kick.