QPR manager Harry Redknapp hopes to reel in relegation rivals

QPR boss Harry Redknapp believes his side's win over Sunderland has opened up the top-flight relegation battle.

Bottom club QPR have 23 points and Redknapp thinks all the teams up to the 14th-placed Black Cats, who have 30 points, are in danger.

"We have closed the gap and any team on 30 points is not safe," said Redknapp.

"You can go eight, nine or 10 games without winning quite easily. Anyone can have a bad run. If we continue to pick up points we may have a chance."

Redknapp's side went behind to a Steven Fletcher goal against Sunderland before Loic Remy, Andros Townsend and Jermaine Jenas scored to secure QPR's fourth league win of the season.

The victory moves QPR level on points with second-from-bottom Reading, while Wigan - the other team in the bottom three - have 24 points with a game in hand.

Aston Villa, Southampton, Newcastle and Sunderland are the teams just above the drop zone with 30 points or less.

"It won't be easy but we have given ourselves a chance," added Redknapp. "I saw Wigan [win 3-0 at Everton in the FA Cup] and thought they were fantastic. They are a good side.

"Aston Villa are not a bad side. There are teams that are capable of putting together a few results.

"We can put together a decent run, too. I think there are a few teams above us who could get sucked in."

Redknapp described his side's performance against Sunderland as the best since his arrival in November and he was further encouraged by their potential to score goals.

"It was a good day for us," he said. "I felt we started the game well and were the better team.

"We conceded a goal against the run of play. But we didn't feel sorry for ourselves and the crowd were fantastic. The atmosphere was excellent and the crowd got behind us and stayed with us.

"We got our reward and two great goals finished them off. That was the best I have seen us play.

"We have played well in terms of stopping other teams play but going forward [against Sunderland] we scored three goals, which is good. You can see goals in the team now."