Charlie Austin grabs a goal back for Queens Park Rangers, after West Bromwich Albion had raced into a two-goal lead, to make it 2-1 at the break at Loftus Road.

West Bromwich Albion are 2-1 up at Queens Park Rangers after an entertaining first 45 minutes at Loftus Road.

Joleon Lescott of West Brom celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and West Bromwich Albion at Loftus Road on December 20, 2014 © Getty Images

The first chance of the game fell the way of the visitors, but Craig Gardner's snap-shot was saved comfortably by Rob Green.

Brown Ideye then should have netted his first Premier League goal for the Baggies, but the Nigerian forward blazed his effort over the bar after good work from Stephane Sessegnon.

West Brom took the lead that their vibrant start deserved when Joleon Lescott latched onto Ideye's near-post flick on to nod home from close range in the 11th minute.

Less than 10 minutes later, Ideye laid on another assist for Silvestre Varela, who lashed the ball past Green to put the stunned hosts 2-0 behind.

However, James Morrison's foolish decision to haul back Leroy Fer inside the box handed QPR a route back into the game, and Charlie Austin converted the penalty to almost immediately reduce the arrears.

Charlie Austin of QPR celebrates his goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and West Bromwich Albion at Loftus Road on December 20, 2014 © Getty Images

Sessegnon almost capped a fine first-half performance with a goal, but Green pushed away his strike, while Austin nearly got QPR back on level terms on the stroke of half time when his shot dipped onto the roof of the net.