QPR have kept only one clean sheet in their last 16 Premier League away games. More importantly, they've only scored two on the road all season and need to double that to win tonight now.

Image source, Getty Images

Is Ross Barkley as good as Gazza? Not yet.

Is Ross Barkley better than Gazza when he was at Everton? Yes.

Phil Neville, former Everton captain, BBC Radio 5 live

"Barkley reminds me of Paul Gascoigne, the way he goes past players with no effort. He runs with his head up.

"He doesn't need to shout for it because his body language says 'give me the ball - I'm going to do something that's better than anyone else on the pitch'. He's a special talent."

Image source, AFP

The Everton fans are heard for the first time all night as they celebrate that special strike. Ross Barkley's first goal of the season. He'll do well to score better.

Phil Neville, former Everton captain, BBC Radio 5 live

"That is a special goal by a special player. He's been the best player on the pitch so far. It rocketed into the net and Rob Green had no chance."

Image source, AFP

Pick that one out! An absolute beauty from Ross Barkley! He lifts this game out of the gloom with a piece of genius. Picks the ball up in his own half, plays a one-two with Romelu Lukaku, works the ball on to his left foot and then crashes into the roof of the net from 20 yards. The ball takes a nick off the back of Mauricio Isla but take nothing away from Barkley. Quality goal.

Get it to Matty Phillips on the right wing. That seems to be QPR's approach so far, judging by the stats below.

Image source, Opta

Muhamed Besic slides in for another forceful tackle, putting Eduardo Vargas on the floor again, but he wins the ball again. I like the cut of his jib. Joey Barton is then dumped on the deck, Tim Howard flaps at the free-kick and Eduardo Vargas almost turns it in.

Phil Neville's wife keeps him in line obviously!

Phil Neville, former Everton captain, BBC Radio 5 live

"I am in favour of Christmas parties. But you have to modify them, you've got to take your wife to these things - that way everyone has to behave when they're around."

Gary Lineker
BBC Sport

"Unusually quiet at Goodison. They're all doing their Xmas shopping online."

That's a very niche lyrical reference, I apologise.

But that's better from Everton! Seamus Coleman finally gets forward, cutting back a good ball to Steven Naismith, whose half-volley is well struck but hits Romelu Lukaku on the back. He's a big man, not easy to miss.

Seconds later Kevin Mirallas fires over from 20 yards.

Is there a lack of confidence at home?

Everton seem to be devoid of it. And now I have Idlewild lyrics in my head. The men in blue keep taking the easy, but not the progressive, option on the ball. The crowd don't like it.

'Put your trust in courage, no one can tell...'

Phil Neville, former Everton captain, BBC Radio 5 live

"There's definitely opportunities for QPR to counter-attack, there's a vast amount of space in front of Sylvain Distin and Phil Jagileka.

"I've been impressed with Eduardo Vargas so far. He's dropped deep and turned to run at the defence and he's a brought others into play as well."

Image source, Reuters

If I ever make it to Premier League manager, that would be a week's worth of wages docked for Leighton Baines and Steven Naismith. That's even worse than hitting the first man at a corner.

Better from Naismith as he steps into space 25 yards out and fires a left-footer at Rob Green.

Ambitious Rangers anyway! Junior Hoilett shoots from at least 35 yards, highly speculative, and straight at Tim Howard.

MY NUMBER ONE PET HATE IN FOOTBALL! I hate this.

Leighton Baines takes a throw-in, a bit too hard, and Steven Naismith can only volley it back over his head and out of play. Is there anything worse?!

Terrible away form so park the bus? No sign of that from QPR so far - they have been on the front foot, as the graphics below show. Everton's average positions are shown in the first image, QPR's in the one underneath.

Image source, Opta

Image source, Opta

Muhamed Besic loves a tackle. The Everton man launches into a challenge, both feet off the ground as he nicks it from Eduardo Vargas. He wins the ball, but QPR have the free-kick. Joey Barton's delivery is a tester but Junior Hoilett shins his shot wide at the back stick.

Even stevens so far.

Frustrated, mumbled grunting from the stands at Goodison as Everton dither over a free-kick and end up giving the ball away. The sort of monotoned jeering you hear in the House of Commons.

Phil Neville, former Everton captain, BBC Radio 5 live

"Everton need to get Ross Barkley on the ball. He's already shown what he's capable of with a great pass for Steven Naismith.

"When he wasn't picked last week [against Manchester City] he was gutted. When he came on, he showed Everton need someone like him - with a bit more energy and quality."