West Bromwich Albion moved to within a point of top place in the Championship by brushing aside the club bought by Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone. By purchasing Queens Park Rangers, Briatore, the managing director of Team Renault, and Ecclestone, the Formula One ringmaster, look as if they have taken on a club that is not so much in need of fine-tuning but an overhaul. The only club in the land without a victory, QPR are propping up the Championship.

John Gregory, the QPR manager, was good-natured in response to the chants from West Bromwich fans of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” and is confident that he will be given time. “I’ve had conversations with Flavio about how to improve the squad,” he said. “There’s no time limit on it. In the past people have got votes of confidence and been gone the following week. I trust him and believe he’s a man of his word.”

Whether Briatore remains as benevolent once he watches the DVD of an abject display by QPR remains to be seen. Gregory attributed it to his team’s lack of confidence and an exceptional display by a West Bromwich team who lack a reverse gear.

Their inability to shut up shop was evident when Gareth Ainsworth poked home Dexter Blackstock’s headed assist to halve Albion’s early advantage. Ishmael Miller and Kevin Phillips had been involved in both goals, the former setting up the latter for the first before the roles were reversed. Phillips followed up with a superb chip over Lee Camp before Robert Koren and Jonathan Greening scored with similarly spectacular efforts.

West Bromwich Albion 5 Phillips 17, 39, Miller 18, Koren 57, Greening 66

(4-4-2): D Keily – C Hoefkens, L Barnett, M Albrecthsen, P Robinson – J Morrison, R Koren, J Greening (sub: Z Gera, 68min), F Teixeira 7 (sub: C Brunt, 63) – K Phillips, I Miller (sub: C Beattie, 68). Substitutes not used: L Steele, Pele. Next: Stoke City (h).

Queens Park Rangers 1 Ainsworth 24

(442): L Camp - Z Rehman (sub: J Curtis, 46), D Cullip, D Stewart, C Barker (sub: M Bignot, 61) – G Ainsworth, M Rowlands, A Bolder, S Moore – D Blackstock, B Sahar (sub: H Ephraim, 61). Substitutes not used: J Cole, S Timoska. Booked: Curtis, Rowlands. Next: Colchester United (a).

Referee: A D’Urso.