Poor Hoops performance "outfoxed and outclassed"
QPR's fairytale start to the season came to a shuddering halt with a 3-0 defeat at a noisy Bramall Lane.
Ex-Scunthorpe striker Billy Sharp did the damage with a marvellous hat-trick, as Iain Dowie's side failed to use the momentum gained from last weekend.
Rangers were outfoxed and outclassed, as they failed to tough it out with the physical Blades, who had a two-goal lead inside 12 minutes.
Sharp made it three early in the second period, and although the R's continued to huff and puff, their early downfall cost them.
With success in the Carling Cup still fresh in the minds, Iain Dowie recalled top scorer Fitz Hall to the starting XI in place of Damion Stewart, who dropped to the bench, where he was joined by fellow returnee Gavin Mahon.
Angelo Balanta, impressive against Swindon in midweek, kept his place alongside Dexter Blackstock in attack, whilst Matthew Connolly retained the right back berth ahead of Peter Ramage.
QPR again looked to Daniel Parejo and Emmanuel Ledesma for creativity, with both hoping to score their first goals in Rangers' colours.
Sheffield United included new signings Greg Halford, Darius Henderson and Sun Jihai, with fellow new-boy Matt Spring on the bench.
And it was Henderson who made an instant impact on the game as his flick on from a Halford long throw found fellow striker Sharp, who dived to head home after two minutes. Once again, Rangers had conceded early.
United continued to press and Halford's volley was well blocked by Parejo moments later.
With United pressing further, Gary Speed robbed Mikele Leigertwood in midfield and clipped a superb lofted through ball for Sharp to race onto and coolly slot beyond Radek Cerny in the Rangers net.
The Blades were dominating, with the Hoops failing to get a hold in the game.
Halford was lucky to stay on the pitch moments later as he lunged with two feet off the ground right into R's skipper Damien Delaney, who reacted with a shove. Despite the severity of the tackle, Halford received only a yellow card, a fate Delaney shared.
United almost made it three moments later as Jihai crossed from the right for Henderson, who could only head weakly into Radek Cerny's hands.
Rangers finally recorded a shot after 35 minutes, as Leigertwood ghosted past Speed and unloaded a 25 yarder that sailed high and wide. Hardly what the travelling support wanted to see.
Finally the R's put together a move of note as Ledesma was only stopped from opening his account by a superb last ditch tackle from Jihai, after good build up play from the Argentine and Blackstock.
Michael Tonge nearly extended the Blades' lead minutes before half time, as - after his original shot was blocked - with the goal at his mercy, he was only denied a goal by a superb full stretch save from the recovering Cerny.
And with that, referee Laws mercifully blew for half time.
The second period began with Angelo Balanta making way for Italian Samuel Di Carmine to make his Championship debut in a Rangers shirt.
But even his introduction couldn't inspire the Hoops as, in the 50th minute, Sharp completed his hat-trick as he swept home from two-yards out after Cerny fumbled Michael Tonge's corner.
A brief flicker of light quickly faded as Lee Cook crossed from the left and Blackstock rose highest but could only send his header over, his only reward, a heavy landing amongst the advertising boards.
Minutes later, Cerny partially made up for his earlier error with a smart stop to deny Sharp a fourth, but Rangers were hardly making their increased possession count.
Suddenly, Rangers could've and should've had a goal. Ledesma exchanged a one-two with Di Carmine and his curling shot came back off the post, straight to the feet of Blackstock. The striker tried to shape to shoot, but was foiled by a superb recovering tackle from Ugo Ehiogu.
Rangers threatened again as Connolly crossed from the right; Blackstock escaped his marker, but Paddy Kenny rushed out to smother his shot. From the resultant corner, Hall looped a header onto the top of the net.
As Rangers came to life it was Parejo's turn next, as his 25 yard free-kick foiled everyone but Kenny, who saved well. Cook was next to get in on the act, but his long range strike was comfortably saved by the Blades custodian.
Parejo tried his luck again with a free-kick minutes later, but again Kenny was up to it as he punched away the curling effort.
Leigertwood was guilty of wasting another good chance moments later, as he swept inside the United box, only to blaze his left-foot strike high over the goal.
Sheffield United: Kenny, Halford (Cotterill 65), Naysmith, Morgan (Ehiogu 33), Kilgallon, Henderson, Jihai, Speed, Tonge, Sharp (Webber 84), Quinn.
Subs: Stead, Spring.
Goals: Sharp (2), (12), (50)
Bookings: Halford (19)
Red Cards:
QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Hall, Leigertwood, Parejo, Blackstock, Gorkss, Connolly, Cook (Alberti 80), Balanta (Di Carmine 46), Ledesma.
Subs: Camp, Stewart, Mahon.
Goals:
Bookings: Delaney (19)
Red Cards:
Referee: Mr G Laws
Attendance: 25273
