Sunderland 0-2 Queens Park Rangers

Leroy Fer's opening goal was the first time this season that QPR had taken the lead away from home

• QPR claim first away win of season at 12th attempt

• Hoops climb out of relegation zone

• Fer scores opener but goes off injured

• Sunderland suffer first defeat in five in all competitions

QPR climbed out of the relegation zone as goals from Leroy Fer and Bobby Zamora against Sunderland ended an 11-game losing run away from home.

The Hoops took the lead when Fer met Matty Phillips's excellent right-wing cross with a firm downward header.

A fine hooked volley from Zamora just before half-time sealed a first away win of the season.

Sunderland, who have won one of their past eight league games, are only two points above the relegation zone.

QPR chairman Tony Fernandes talked before the match of finding his "dream manager" to replace Harry Redknapp, but, on the evidence of this encouraging result, his players are already responding to the interim management of Chris Ramsey.

The only sour note for QPR was the loss of Fer, arguably their most influential player, who was carried off on a stretcher with a knee injury 15 minutes from time.

Ramsey's side were undaunted by the absence of injured leading scorer Charlie Austin, who has 13 league goals this season.

The visitors dominated the opening exchanges, with Joey Barton firing over and Zamora glancing a header wide, and they took a deserved lead in the 17th minute when Fer nodded home.

Sunderland, for whom defeat ended a four-game unbeaten run in all competitions, were denied by a combination of poor build-up play and fine goalkeeping from Rob Green.

The former England international pulled off a spectacular save to parry Connor Wickham's header on to the bar, then scooped the ball clear as it bounced behind him.

QPR continued to pose a threat on the break, especially down the right, and it was that route that provided the second goal as another Phillips cross set up Zamora, who finished superbly.

Sunderland improved after the break, but a QPR team full of experience - Barton, Karl Henry and Rio Ferdinand all started - nullified the hosts' threat.

The Black Cats still have only two home wins this season, the lowest tally in the top flight.

Matty Phillips became the first player to assist two goals for QPR in a Premier League match since Danny Dichio in 1996

Joey Barton was booked for the seventh consecutive match - a Premier League record - in a typically combative performance

Rob Green's superb performance earned him a first clean sheet since 28 December

Leroy Fer was taken off on a stretcher with an apparent knee injury