QPR hurt Spurs' chances of a top-four finish

London: Tottenham Hotspur lost ground in the battle to qualify for the next season's Champions League on Saturday with a 1-0 Premier League defeat to 10-man Queens Park Rangers, who made up important ground at the other end of the table.

Former Tottenham midfielder Adel Taarabt scored the winner in the 24th minute with a free-kick awarded for a Sandro tackle but was sent off for a second yellow card in the 78th after petulantly kicking the ball away.

The result leaves Spurs fifth in the table, three points behind Newcastle in the final Champions League qualification place.

It was QPR's fourth consecutive home victory in the league and moves the west London side three points clear of the relegation zone.