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London - QPR ended a miserable 16-match winless run as Adel Taarabt's double clinched a 2-1 victory over Fulham in the West London derby at Loftus Road on Saturday.
Morocco midfielder Taarabt struck twice in the second half and Mladen Petric's late goal for the visitors wasn't enough to stop Harry Redknapp's side moving off the bottom of the Premier League with their first success of a dismal campaign.
Redknapp is unbeaten in his four matches since replacing the sacked Mark Hughes last month, but this was the former Tottenham manager's first victory and he will hope it can trigger a winning run from a team who remain five points from safety.
When Redknapp took charge at QPR it was feared Taarabt might be forced out as he had been sold during the pair's time together at Tottenham.
But the Moroccan has thrived under his old boss and he proved a constant danger to the Fulham defence.
Taarabt provided an early chance for Djibril Cisse with a fine pass but the striker couldn't beat Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.
Martin Jol's side nearly contributed to their own downfall when a poor John Arne Riise backpass was intercepted by Jamie Mackie, but the QPR forward couldn't beat Schwarzer.
Fulham were struggling to get a foothold on proceedings but were almost gifted an opener by QPR goalkeeper Robert Green, who sent a miskick straight to Hugo Rodallega, only for the Colombian striker to miss the target.
QPR finally took the lead their pressure deserved in the 52nd minute when Taarabt fired in a shot that deflected off Fulham defender Brede Hangeland, wrong footing Schwarzer and trickling into the net.
If Fulham could feel hard done by over the first goal, they had no complaints about Taarabt's second.
In the 68th minute, Taarabt took possession just inside the Fulham half, surged away from Hangeland and cleverly tricked his way into the penalty area before slotting past Schwarzer with the outside of his right foot.
Petric ensured a nervous finale for QPR when his strike deflected in off Mackie's outstretched leg in the 88th minute.
But the hosts held firm and could have scored again when Schwarzer somehow clawed out a goalbound Cisse header before the final whistle sparked wild celebrations.
