Chester's goal, Austin's missed penalty help Hull City beat QPR in PL opener

Centre back James Chester goal combined with a missed penalty from opposite striker Charlie Austin provided Hull City with a 1-0 win against newly promoted Queen's Park Rangers (QPR) in their Premier League season opener.

Former Manchester United defender Chester, who opened the scoring for Hull in May's FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal at Wembley, repeated the trick at Loftus Road when he got the better of Rio Ferdinand to head home a Stephen Quinn corner in the 52nd minute.

It had been a soft goal for QPR to concede, and it proved sufficient to hand Hull their first victory at Loftus Road since 1963, when both teams were in the third tier, Sport24 reported.

It had indeed been the first ever-top flight meeting of the two clubs with QPR returning to the Premier League via the play-offs at the end of last season.

There was plenty of optimism in the home ranks as QPR manager Harry Redknapp handed debuts to summer signings Steven Caulker, Ferdinand and Jordon Mutch. And the home side should have taken a lead into halftime, with Joey Barton coming close from a free-kick and Mutch, the former Cardiff City midfielder, heading narrowly wide.

Scottish full-back Andy Robertson then came to Hull's rescue when he cleared a Caulker header off the line as the visitors held on after seeing their marquee summer signing Robert Snodgrass forced off injured late in the opening period.

Quinn took his place and set up Chester's goal, which ultimately proved the difference, although only after QPR wasted a glorious chance to haul themselves level with time running out, the report added.