QPR boss Mark Hughes singled out Joey Barton for praise after victory over Arsenal.

Barton criticised the Rangers fans who booed him off against the Reds in his programme notes today and Hughes was pleased by the controversial midfielder's energetic performance.

"I thought Joey was different class today," Hughes said. "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 today in terms of how they encouraged him and they willed him to a top-class performance and that's what we got from him today."

The performance of Taarabt, who marked his first Premier League goal by donning a fez handed down to him from the crowd in the celebrations, also delighted Hughes.

"I was really pleased with him," Hughes said. "That will do him the world of good."