QPR boss Mark Hughes thanked fans for backing skipper Joey Barton during victory over Arsenal.

Barton admitted in his match programme notes the jeers he copped against Liverpool had cut him deep.

Hughes said: "I thought Joey was different class.

"He got a lot of stick last time out because his performance level wasn't high enough and he acknowledged that.

"I thought the crowd was great in terms of how they encouraged him and they willed him to a top-class performance."