Queens Park Rangers delivered a stunning 4-1 victory over Leicester City on Saturday, turning former manager Marti Cifuentes's return to Loftus Road into a personal nightmare. The comprehensive win, achieved on December 21st, 2025, propelled QPR up to seventh in the Sky Bet Championship, while Leicester slipped to 13th.
Cifuentes's Dreadful Homecoming as QPR Run Riot
The match was set against the backdrop of Cifuentes's first return to west London since his acrimonious summer departure. The 43-year-old Spaniard was placed on gardening leave by QPR near the end of the 2024/25 season after reportedly holding talks with West Bromwich Albion, before his contract was terminated by mutual agreement.
Any hopes of a positive homecoming were shattered within two minutes, as Koki Saito opened the scoring for the hosts. The onslaught continued with further goals from Richard Kone, Karamoko Dembele, and Amadou Mbengue, sealing a dominant performance against an in-form Foxes side.
"Really, Really Angry": Cifuentes Slams Leicester's Performance
Reacting to the heavy defeat, Cifuentes did not hold back in his criticism of his own team's display. "Really, really angry. Really disappointed about the first half," he stated. "We played below the standard, and we get punished. Credit to QPR, they did really well."
He elaborated on his side's shortcomings, emphasising a lack of competitive edge. "We as a club, who we want to be as Leicester, we think we need to do much better in terms of not only the way we play, but the way we compete," Cifuentes added. "Sometimes in games like today, it’s very important to have this mindset to compete really well in all areas of the game."
Parkin's Prophecy for Charlton's Kelman
Elsewhere in the Championship, Charlton Athletic secured a crucial 1-0 win over Oxford United in a battle between strugglers. The decisive moment came in the 78th minute from substitute Charlie Kelman, scoring his second goal for the club since his summer move from QPR.
The 24-year-old striker, who netted 34 times on loan at Leyton Orient last season, had endured a slow start at The Valley before breaking his duck in November. An injury followed, making his match-winning return against Oxford particularly timely.
Analysing the game for Final Score, former EFL striker Sam Parkin believes the goal could spark Kelman's Addicks career. "Massive for both of those teams," Parkin said. "Charlie Kelman, let’s face it, that signing hasn’t worked out as of yet, that could be the catalyst to better performances and more goals for him."
The result at Loftus Road marks a significant statement from QPR under their new management, while posing serious questions for Cifuentes and his Leicester project. For Charlton, the hope will be that Parkin's prediction proves accurate, with Kelman's winner providing vital momentum in their fight for Championship survival.
