Queen's Park Rangers endured a nightmare return to English football's top-flight after a 15-year absence with a 4-0 drubbing from Bolton at Loftus Road.
Gary Cahill’s superb curled effort on the stroke of half-time gave Bolton an
undeserved lead after QPR dominated possession, but Neil Warnock's men found themselves three behind after 70 minutes, all through granting their opponents too much space in and around the box.
What Warnock is heavily reliant on this season is the performances of Adel
Taarabt, whose 19 goals and 16 assists guided QPR to the Championship
trophy last season.
The Moroccan began on a positive note, busily securing possession and dribbling with purpose but after 30 minutes, shades of the forward’s other side crept through as a series of failed tricks was greeted with groans from the home support.
QPR started brightly and after two minutes the Loftus Road PA system was blaring as new signing DJ Campbell swept the ball in the back of the net but celebrations were rightly short lived as the former Blackpool man was offside.
Another of Warnock’s summer arrivals, Kieron Dyer, was handed a surprise start at right-back but lasted all of three minutes of his debut after a challenge by Martin Petrov left him clutching his ankle on the ground, and shades of his injury woes at West Ham resurfaced as he was stretchered off.
The hosts continued their strong start and as Bolton struggled for creativity in midfield with the absence of Chung-Yong Lee and Stuart Holden, QPR were able to bring their front three of Campbell, Jay Bothroyd and Tarrabt frequently into play, with the Morocco international in particular influencing in a free role behind the former Cardiff City striker.
The hosts' possession paid off as the first opening came for Campbell, who after a strong piece of attacking play by right-back Bradley Orr, saw his deflected shot whistle over Jussi Jaaskelainen's crossbar.
Bolton continued to look lost for ideas, and with Owen Coyle looking to improve his side's away record, which was the worst in the Premier League last season, the Scot's challenge looked a difficult one as a series of long balls were pumped long for Kevin Davies to chase and hold up.
But defensive naivety from QPR presented Bolton with the lead in added time before the break. Chris Eagles, who had for the majority of the match been restricted in his advances forward, jinked inside from the right flank and found Cahill, who coolly bent his effort high past Paddy Kenny into the top-left corner.
Much like the start of the first half, QPR resumed the match with promise, but defensive negligence soon took over and Warnock's men soon fell further behind.
The first of Bolton's three goals in the second half came through another debutant, Danny Gabbidon as Eagles' low drive of a free-kick crept through a sea of players before reaching the former West Ham defender, who did little more than prod the ball into his own net.
Two minutes later Bolton were three up. This time Ivan Klasnic, who had been quiet in linking up with Davies throughout the match, was granted too much space in the penalty area, and his effort with help from a Orr deflection made it a mountain to climb for QPR.
The hosts' misery was further compounded by another negligent display at the back which allowed Klasnic to turn provider, who slipped in Fabrice Muamba to effortlessly slot home.
To add insult to injury for Rangers, Clint Hill was sent off before the final whistle for a swipe at Petrov.