Danny Ings's 12th and 13th goals of the season were enough to give Burnley an eighth straight win against Queens Park Rangers to stay clear at the top of the Championship.
The visitors started brightly with chances falling to Karl Henry and Niko Kranjcar inside the opening minutes, which they were unable to take.
Kieran Trippier posed problems in attack for Burnley and almost scored on shot was stopped by Robert Green.
The game became more bad tempered as five players from both were booked before the half time whistle.
It wasn't until after the hour mark that the deadlock was broken thanks to Ings's 12th goal of the campaign after neat link-up play with strike partner Sam Vokes.
QPR struggled to find a way back into the game but almost netted an equaliser when a set piece reached Richard Dunne at close range only for the defender to sky his effort.
The game was put beyond the visitors when Ings was brought down by Joey Barton and Simon Hooper pointed the spot.
Ings's penalty kick was too good for Green and sealed an eighth consecutive win.
It stretches the Clarets' advantage at the top of the league to three points over Leicester City with QPR a further two points back.