New QPR manager Harry Redknapp watched from the Old Trafford stands as the visitors surrendered a second-half lead en route to a 3-1 defeat against Manchester United, who have returned to the top of the Premier League.
The bottom-of-the-table visitors, under the temporary guidance of Mark Bowen, took the lead in the 52nd minute when Jamie Mackie pounced from close range after Anders Lindegaard had pushed out Kieron Dyer's cross-shot.
But the London team were swiftly undone by two set-pieces, Jonny Evans and Darren Fletcher both on target with headers from Wayne Rooney corners, before Anderson surged forward and set up Javier Hernandez for a cool finish to settle matters.
Redknapp, 65, was given a two-and-a-half-year contract by Rangers – just 24 hours on from Mark Hughes' sacking – but will not take charge of the team until Tuesday's game at Sunderland.
Victory took United back to the top of the standings ahead of Manchester City's trip to Chelsea on Sunday.
West Brom earlier moved up to third spot after Simon Mignolet's howler in the lunchtime kick-off helped the Baggies beat Sunderland 4-2 at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats goalkeeper gifted Shane Long the simplest of opportunities to fire into an empty net two minutes before the break when he allowed Chris Brunt's pass to squirm from his grasp.
Steve Clarke's men were already leading through Zoltan Gera's superb strike on the half-hour, and although the home side launched a fightback when Craig Gardner's 73rd-minute free-kick was deflected home, substitute Romelu Lukaku's late penalty looked to have sealed a fourth successive win for the first time in the Premier League.
Stephane Sessegnon reduced the deficit from close range with three minutes remaining. But, after Lukaku had hit the post deep in stoppage time, fellow substitute Marc-Antoine Fortune made sure at the death.
In the other games, Jordi Gomez's hat-trick spared Ali Al Habsi's blushes as Wigan overcame Reading 3-2, Everton and Norwich drew 1-1 and Stoke edged Fulham 1-0.
Charlie Adam's 26th-minute goal secured Stoke the win at the Britannia Stadium, the Scotland midfielder the beneficiary of the knockdown after Peter Crouch comfortably beat Philippe Senderos in the air.
