Walters nets 3 as Stoke beats QPR 3-1 in Premier League

STOKE, England (AP) Jonathan Walters scored a hat trick Saturday as Stoke beat Queens Park Rangers 3-1 in the Premier League to keep the visitors without a single point in away games this season.

Walters gave Stoke the lead in the 21st minute with a curled shot and added the second in the 34th with an effort from inside the area. Niko Kranjcar gave Harry Redknapp's team hope by pulling one back just two minutes later, but goalkeeper Asmir Begovic made sure QPR's dreadful away form continued when he pushed a free kick from Joey Barton onto the crossbar. Walters then completed his hat trick with a header in injury time.

Stoke remained firmly lodged in mid-table with 32 points from 23 games, while QPR stayed in 19th place, a point from safety.