Burnley climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone with a crucial 2-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers this afternoon.

Scott Arfield broke the deadlock with an emphatic finish at the end of a solo run, but former Clarets striker Charlie Austin equalised from the spot following a mistake from Dean Marney.

A sixth goal of the season for Danny Ings before the break made the difference as Burnley climbed above QPR in the table.

Below, Sports Mole takes a look at the key talking points from the action at Turf Moor.

Match statistics

BURNLEY
Shots: 18
On target: 7
Possession: 45%
Corners: 10
Fouls: 14

QPR
Shots: 17
On target: 7
Possession: 55%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 9

Was the result fair?

On balance, Burnley did enough to collect all three points. There was very little to choose between the two sides in the first half as both managers sent their teams out to get onto the front foot. After the three goals were scored, QPR struggled to produce a response to falling behind for a second time. Many Burnley fans would have expected to be put under pressure in the second half, but the Clarets comfortably defended a slender advantage.

Burnley's performance

Sean Dyche rarely has a bad word to say about his players, and he will be absolutely delighted with the attitude that they displayed this afternoon. Arfield's fine strike got the hosts off to a good start, and they never looked back, even after losing their lead when Marney tripped Austin in the box. Jason Shackell led by example at the back to cut out the service to Austin, who was forced to feed off scraps when QPR went in search of a second equaliser after the break. In attack, the hosts always looked capable of slicing open the visiting defence. Ings was his usual lively self, and he made the difference with an extra piece of quality for the second goal. It was another pleasing display for Dyche, who is starting to win over some of Burnley's doubters with these results.

QPR's performance

QPR showed what they could do in flashes, but they struggled to sustain the pressure on the Burnley defence for an extended period. They matched the hosts for long spells of the first half, with Austin a threat when the likes of Mauricio Isla found the space to pick out the striker from the wings. Leroy Fer and Adel Taarabt were trusted to provide the creative spark, but they were both guilty of drifting in and out of the game.

It's now 10 successive away losses in the Premier League since the start of the season. That's a new record and a huge problem for Harry Redknapp, who witnessed his side lack the spark that they needed to get something out of the game in the second half. Austin's penalty kept them in the match, but his goals will only take them so far. The problems were clear at the back as Steven Caulker struggled to handle the intelligent movement of Ings, while the likes of Joey Barton and Karl Henry were given very little help by their fellow midfielders. It's another performance which will have Redknapp keeping an eye on the transfer market.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Kieran Trippier: It could have gone to Ings, Barnes or Arfield, but Trippier gets the award today. The full back is proving that he has the quality to succeed in the Premier League, and his performance at both ends of the pitch was impressive. Trippier's deliveries from set pieces and in open play caused problems for QPR, but he refused to allow his attacking instincts to have a negative impact on his defensive work.

Biggest gaffe

Marney will be saying a special thanks to Ings for his winning goal tonight. It could have been a very different story after Marney had foolishly stuck a leg out to trip Austin, who converted from the penalty spot. Luckily for the midfielder, the error did not cost his side a win.

Referee performance

Andre Marriner got the big calls right. It was a clear penalty for QPR in the first half, and he communicated well with his assistant after the break when Barnes fouled Robert Green to allow Ben Mee to head home what Burnley thought was their third goal.

What next?

Burnley: The Clarets travel to White Hart Lane to take on Tottenham Hotspur in an FA Cup third-round replay on Wednesday.

QPR: Redknapp's side will look to climb out of the bottom three when they host Manchester United next Saturday.