Cardiff City 2, Queens Park Rangers 1

Bluebirds fans chanted ‘We are top of the League’ after Neil Warnock’s team earned a fifth successive Championship victory.

They were chanting Warnock’s name after he had led his players in applauding spectators.

The only negative on a highly enjoyable afternoon was that less than 19,000 people turned out to watch a Cardiff City team who look special. That is a travesty for a team who are giving it everything, turning on the style and entertaining their fans.

This is a group of players who have the same work ethic as Malky Mackay’s group who won the title. The difference is that the current team have far more quality than Mackay’s men.

Cardiff hit back from a goal down to win and are three points clear at the top after Ipswich Town lost their 100 per cent record in a 2-0 defeat at home to Fulham.

The atmosphere at Cardiff City Stadium during the closing stages was excellent as supporters sang and chanted tributes to their team.

Rangers had gone ahead after 15 minutes from a close range header by Matt Smith, but the Bluebirds simply maintained their composure and aggression.

They closed QPR players down relentlessly, chasing and harassing their visitors all over the pitch.

That in-your-face style resulted in City’s equaliser after 22 minutes.

Loic Damour forced the ball forward and Kenneth Zohore chased hard, putting a defender under intense pressure. He tried to find his goalkeeper, but Junior Hoilett chased through, blocked the attempted clearance and celebrated as the ball flew low into the net from 10 yards.

Zohore than fired home, but referee Simon Hooper had spotted an earlier foul and the effort was disallowed.

There were big appeals for a penalty when Hoilett went down, but the challenge went unpunished. Neil Warnock let the fourth official and a linesman know exactly how he felt, pointing and demonstrating how Hoilett had been shoved and pulled.

Cardiff kept pressing and Zohore was brought down on the edge of the QPR penalty area. The big centre-forward went for goal and fired just over.

Quick feet from Damour threw two defenders off balance and his low, swerving shot was superbly saved by Smithies, going full length to turn the ball past the far post.

But that proved brief respite for Rangers. Hoilett’s corner picked out Sol Bamba at the far post and his downward header flew into the net.

It was a fast and furious first half and Warnock’s Warriors were applauded off at half-time.

City found the net again after 49 minutes when Hoilett timed his run perfectly and forced the ball home from close range, but referee Hooper ruled the effort out for pushing.

It looked a harsh decision, while Cardiff went close again when Mendez-Laing’s fierce shot from an angle flew off the crossbar.

The Bluebirds were playing at a high tempo and Rangers were struggling to deal with wave after wave of attacks.

There is a fantastic spirit and togetherness in this City group. They are playing with confidence and bravado, willing to take on opponents in terms of pace and skill.

City have such dynamic movement, pace and hunger for possession. Bamba and Sean Morrison were immense, while Joe Ralls and Aaron Gunnarsson competed for everything through the middle and gave Damour, Mendez-Laing and Hoilett the freedom to attack.

Gunnarsson, in particular, was a leader, shouting instructions and demanding players regain their position when Rangers had the ball.

Mendez-Laing set up another chance when he sped down the left and played the ball in low for Zohore, but the close range shot was blocked.

QPR used all three substitutes in their bid to find a way back into the game, but Cardiff are relentless and kept at them to maintain their 100 per cent record.

Warnock’s wonders are on the march.

Cardiff City: Etheridge, Peltier, Morrison, Bamba, Bennett, Gunnarsson, Ralls, Mendez-Laing, Damour (D Ward 82), Hoilett (Manga 92), Zohore. Subs not used: Richards, Tomlin, Halford, Murphy, Bogle.

QPR: Smithies, Furlong, Onuoha, Caulker (Wszolek 72), Bidwell, Luongo, Scowen, Mackie (Sylla 61), Freeman, Washington (N’Gbakoto 71), Smith. Subs not used: Ingram, Robinson, Baptiste, Lua Lua.

Referee: Simon Hooper.

Attenance: 18,520.