Former Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Adel Taarabt's free kick against his old club has given Queens Park Rangers a vital half-time lead at Loftus Road.

The hosts looked comfortable in possession early on but it was Spurs who were first to threaten when Gareth Bale escaped his marker at a corner before forcing Paddy Kenny into a flying save.

Moments later the home side took the lead as Taarabt curled a 25-yard effort past Brad Friedel, who was making his 300th consecutive appearance in the Premier League.

Taarabt went close to doubling his tally 15 minutes before the break when he saw a low effort skid wide of Friedel's upright.

Up the other end Kenny was forced to parry a powerful effort from Rafael van der Vaart, while Jermain Defoe was unable to keep his rebound effort on target.

Despite controlling large amounts of the possession, Spurs were unable to find a route back into the London derby before the whistle was blown for the break.