Adel Taarabt teased and tantalised poor Scunthorpe for 73 minutes as QPR went top of the table with a 100 per cent record – and they still haven’t conceded a goal.

Taarabt was given the captain’s armband by boss Neil Warnock in the absence of injured Fitz Hall and responded with another crowd-pleasing performance that is beginning to make his £1million fee from Spurs a ridiculously cheap deal.

Bradley Orr and Heidar Helguson provided the goals but it was Taarabt’s show. His only black mark was getting booked for diving – and Warnock had no complaints, admitting: “If the referee said no contact, then fair enough.

“This was a difficult game. I nearly packed it in last season when they came and beat my Palace team 4-0. Whoever’s doing the People marks should give their goalie 10, he was absolutely outstanding. He was almost as good as Adel who was unplayable at times. He looked almost unbeatable.

“Adel wanted the captain’s armband and the senior pros weren’t concerned. He’s been a cracking lad since he’s come back and put a lot into his work.”

There was no stopping the mercurial Moroccan Taarabt who swung over a corner from the right on 16 minutes for Orr to glance a header inside the far right post.

He then put Orr away down the right for a curving centre that Helguson should have buried but allowed Joe Murphy to make a smart reflex save.

Taarabt was all flicks and tricks, bemusing the Scunthorpe defence and delighting the home crowd.

And it was Taarabt who did for them again in the 41st minute when his glorious chipped pass put Helguson completely in the clear and the Icelander easily knocked the ball in the right corner of the net for 2-0.

However, the Rangers skipper overdid it a minute later when going down under a challenge from Sam Togwell in the penalty area. It seemed ref Graham Salisbury was pointing to the spot – but he was giving Scunthorpe a free-kick and booking Taarabt for diving.

Taarabt left the fray to a standing ovation on 73 minutes after tiring from his efforts.