Leicester City hit QPR for six to book their spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup and end their five-match losing streak.

Ahead of critical games in the Premier League, City got a much-needed taste of victory, with Ruud van Nistelrooy fielding a full-strength team to secure it. All of the regulars played with James Justin at the double and with Stephy Mavididi, Facundo Buonanotte, Jamie Vardy also on the scoresheet before Wout Faes lashed a sublime sixth.

City had moments of trouble in the first half, with Harry Winks twice giving up possession in the build-up to the visitors’ two goals. But they were comfortable in the second period and should now be buoyed as they head into the showdown with Crystal Palace.

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As part of the strong line-up, Faes was needed to start in place of the injured Jannik Vestergaard, while Victor Kristiansen returned from illness and Buonanotte was brought back in. Luke Thomas and Jordan Ayew dropped out.

But those were the only three changes, with all of the big-hitters keeping their places, despite a crucial Premier League fixture on Wednesday. That meant a start for Vardy on his 38th birthday.

City looked good to break their losing run when they scored inside 10 minutes. Buonanotte was tripped as he dribbled through but picked himself up to swing in a teasing free-kick. QPR keeper Joe Walsh came to collect, only for Justin to slide in front of him, poking the ball home.

QPR arrived at the King Power with just one loss in their last 11 and their confidence showed. They were the better team for large parts of the first half and mustered a quick reply to the opener.

Ilias Chair had warned City with a superb long-range strike off the post, but they didn’t learn. Two minutes later, Winks’ aimless ball into midfield was pounced upon, and a quick triangle of passes set up Jonathan Varane to rifle his first QPR goal into the bottom corner from 25 yards.

The action didn’t stop there. There were big chances for both sides as Vardy blazed over a sitter after pinball in the box, then Rayan Kolli struck over after a poor pass from Jakub Stolarczyk.

When the next goal did come, it went City’s way against the run of play. They’d been struggling to get on the ball, but Mavididi forced Harrison Ashby into a mistake, Bilal El Khannouss carried the ball into the box and poked it back to Mavididi, who confidently finished.

Two minutes later, they scored again with the move of the game. Buonanotte switched play, Mavididi fed El Khannouss, and the Moroccan chipped up a teasing cross that was met by Buonanotte, the Argentinian running in at speed and leaping high to head in.

But before the break, City had time to gift QPR a lifeline. Winks was again guilty, playing a pass behind Faes to set up Kolli, who finished into the bottom corner.

The second half was much more comfortable, especially when City were awarded a penalty to restore their two-goal advantage. Ashby blocked Mavididi’s cross with his outstretched arm and Vardy rolled in a birthday goal.

City made subs as their attention turned to Palace, and they immediately added a fifth. The replacements played their part as Jordan Ayew’s pressing, Oli Skipp’s first-time pass and Patson Daka’s offload set up the advancing Justin for a fine, crisp strike into the bottom corner.

The game was petering out, but there was one more moment of magic, and from an unlikely source. Faes intercepted, ran forward and encouraged by the crowd to let fly, he did just that, lashing in a shot from 25 yards. Here’s how we scored the players.

Jakub Stolarczyk: He perhaps got fingers on the Chair strike that hit the woodwork, and again he did well at punching clear corners. But the wait for a first clean sheet goes on. He almost gave up a goal himself with a poor kick out. 5

James Justin: He delivered the improved performance many wanted from him, but only because of his attacking prowess. He judged the free-kick well to poke in the opener and struck his second really sweetly. But defensively, he was outwitted by Chair a few times. 7

Conor Coady: He looked rusty in the early stages, playing wayward passes and failing to read the game as well as he usually does. But he improved and put in a solid diving block late on. 5

Wout Faes: A really strong showing on his first start under van Nistelrooy and that was before the outrageous goal. He made plenty of tackles and interceptions, especially to bail his team-mates out of his mistakes, and confidently intervened when squaring up attackers dribbling towards. Then in the dying minutes, he stole the ball, carried it forward and lashed in brilliantly. 8

Victor Kristiansen: There were no overt mistakes from the left-back, but nothing much positive of note for a large part of the game either. Once the game was won, he started to be more adventurous with his passing, and he slipped a few nice balls into the box. 6

Harry Winks: After the second gift, he held his head in his hands and had to be lifted up by his team-mates. He knows he’s better than that. Both passes were poor, but especially the second into such a dangerous area. He was good beyond that, but those two bad balls were punished. 4

Boubakary Soumare: There were some underhit passes and ill-thought-out through balls, but otherwise he was good. He carried the ball with confidence as usual, and did look to play forward at nearly every opportunity. 6

Facundo Buonanotte: teased a free-kick into the perfect area for the first and produced a great pass, run and leaping header to score the third. His link-up wasn’t always as sharp as it has been but he still makes City tick better going forward. 8

Bilal El Khannouss: The best player on the pitch again. He played so many quick passes around the box as he looked to make things happen, linked terrifically with Mavididi, and then set up two goals brilliantly. The cross for the third goal was delightful. 8

Stephy Mavididi: After a slow start, he livened up and looked a major threat, winning the ball and finishing confidently for the second and playing his part in the third and fourth too by connecting well with El Khannouss. A good showing. 7

Jamie Vardy: He missed a sitter but he did get his birthday goal from the penalty spot. He should have had another spot-kick too after stealing in. Despite all that, it was a pretty quiet match for the skipper. 5

Oliver Skipp: Played a great first-time pass for the fifth goal and kept it tidy to ensure City saw the match out comfortably. 6

Jordan Ayew: He pressed well to help in the build-up to the fifth and came short to receive the ball to feet a lot. That helped City retain possession and limited QPR’s chances to get back into the game. 6

Patson Daka: He timed his offload to Justin just right for the fifth goal and he looked confident, doing well to beat his men when he drifted out to the wings. 6

Kasey McAteer: Back on the pitch after a few games out, he was a little isolated out on the left, not connecting with team-mates like Mavididi had done. 5

Bobby De Cordova-Reid: Only on the pitch for a few minutes. Didn’t see much of the ball. N/A

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