QPR 0-4 Cardiff

Earnshaw's hat-trick makes him the league's top scorer

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Robert Earnshaw scored a hat-trick as Cardiff piled the pressure on QPR manager Ian Holloway with an emphatic win at Loftus Road.

The win took Cardiff to the top of the Second Division table, two points ahead of Wigan, who play Northampton on Saturday.

The pressure was already on Holloway after QPR were knocked out of the FA Cup by non-league Vauxhall Motors at home.

Cardiff keeper Neil Alexander made some vital saves

And that pressure will be even more intense now despite a bright start by Holloway's men.

Cardiff keeper Neil Alexander made some crucial saves as QPR dominated the first half.

But the second half was a very different affair, and Earnshaw put the visitors ahead in the 59th minute.

Andy Legg put in a corner and Earnshaw turned the ball just over the line.

Earnshaw extended the lead six minutes later, and he completed his hat-trick when he lifted the ball over QPR keeper Simon Royce with five minutes to go.

There was still time for Andy Campbell to add a fourth in stoppage time when he tapped in the rebound after Royce had saved his initial shot.