Barkley picked up possession in his own half in the 33rd minute, exchanged passes with Romelu Lukaku before driving at the defence and unleashing an unstoppable left-foot shot into the top corner for his first goal of an injury-plagued season.
Kevin Mirallas doubled the lead after 44 minutes with a wickedly-deflected free kick. Steven Naismith headed a third goal eight minutes after the break before substitute Bobby Zamora notched a late consolation for Rangers.
Everton's first league victory since Nov. 22 lifted them above local rivals Liverpool into 10th place on 21 points while QPR, without a point away from home this season, remained 18th, four points above bottom club Leicester City.
In the absence of Gareth Barry, man-of-the-match Barkley was deployed in a deep midfield role alongside the tenacious Muhamed Besic and the 21-year-old excelled.
"Wherever I am on the pitch I try to affect the game," England international Barkley told Sky Sports television.
"Anywhere on the pitch I'll enjoy playing but to get the three points and three goals against a QPR side who played well was great."
Barkley's brilliant goal injected life into a stuttering Everton performance against the visitors who had been on the front foot for much of the opening half hour.
Mirallas' free kick and Naismith's deflected header, after a series of avoidable defensive errors, added a slightly flattering gloss to the home team's display.
QPR battled hard and scored a deserved 80th-minute goal when Zamora supplied a simple finish after keeper Tim Howard had parried Jordan Mutch's well-struck effort.It sparked a late flurry of activity as Everton substitute Samuel Eto'o blazed a low shot against the post and Barkley's tantalising cross was just too strong for Arouna Kone.
(Reporting by Tom Hayward, editing by Tony Jimenez)
Share
