QPR spoiled Aaron Ramsey’s Cardiff homecoming with a 2-1 success in the Sky Bet Championship.
Sinclair Armstrong – with his first QPR goal – and Kenneth Paal were on target to puncture Cardiff’s early-season optimism generated by the return of Wales captain Ramsey.
Ike Ugbo gave Cardiff hope 12 minutes from time with his second goal in as many league games, but the Bluebirds were left to rue efforts from Ramsey and Mark McGuinness coming back off the crossbar.
Ramsey’s last appearance on this ground in Cardiff colours came in February 2011, when on loan from Arsenal as he recovered from serious injury.
There was huge excitement as Ramsey led out a Cardiff side managed at home in the league for the first time by Erol Bulut, the former Fenerbahce head coach.
But the day belonged to Armstrong, a 20-year-old Irish striker who not only opened his QPR account in the first half but unselfishly set up Paal after 65 minutes.
QPR slumped to a 4-0 defeat at Watford on the opening weekend and boss Gareth Ainsworth had acted quickly to bolster his defence.
Steve Cook arrived from Nottingham Forest on Wednesday and the veteran centre-half went straight into the middle of a three-man defence.
QPR started brightly but Cardiff carried a goal threat when getting into forward positions.
Cardiff’s best chance of the first period came after 19 minutes when McGuinness headed goalwards for the swivelling Ugbo to send his shot wide.
QPR were playing the more cohesive football and Cook met Paal’s free-kick at the far post to force a smart save from Jak Alnwick.
Ilias Chair was wayward before Paul Smyth picked Callum O’Dowda’s pocket and found the sliding Armstrong, who made no mistake from a few yards.
Cardiff went close to an equaliser in first-half stoppage-time but Asmir Begovic got down well to turn Ryan Wintle’s 20-yard effort around a post.
There was more purpose about Cardiff straight after the restart as Ramsey played in O’Dowda and Morgan Fox made a fine stretching clearance.
Callum Robinson replaced the injured Ebou Adams but Cardiff struggled to make headway against resolute opponents.
QPR were lucky to survive when Ramsey found space on the edge of the penalty area and his effort clattered against the crossbar.
Cardiff kept the move alive and Begovic was quick off his line to smother Karlan Grant’s attempt.
QPR made the most of their good fortune within moments after Ramsey gave away possession and Armstrong, having evaded Dimitrios Goutas, raced down the right.
Armstrong did not panic as he scanned for support and his inviting ball was dispatched by Paal.
Cardiff set up a grandstand finish as Ramsey delivered a delightful pass to O’Dowda at the far post.
O’Dowda did superbly to keep the ball in play and lift it over Begovic and Ugbo tapped home.
Cardiff struck the crossbar again through McGuinness but 10 minutes of stoppage time eventually ran out on the Bluebirds.
Arteta delighted after Arsenal 'go over hurdles' to win North London derby
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was beaming with the work rate put in by his side following their 1-0 victory away to rivals Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday.
Defender Gabriel Magalhaes scored the decisive goal, heading home from a corner in the second half, to leave the Gunners second in the Premier League table.
Spurs enjoyed the better start of the two, creating plenty of openings in the early part of the first half, but were unable to take advantage.
Arsenal had fewer shots than Spurs (seven to 15) but were more clinical than their hosts.
"They are a great side and create an unbelievable atmosphere," said Arteta of their opponents while talking to Sky Sports.
"We knew it would be tough. We believed we could hurt them, we weren't the best with the ball today.
"The way we defended was top drawer. We want to play a different game, but they put a structure that is extremely difficult to match up, so we decided not to do that."
Three of Arsenal's last four Premier League goals against Spurs have come from corners, compared to just three in their previous 88 such matches beforehand.
"We just work on heading the ball, having the right delivery and winning the ball," Arteta added.
"It is about the right timing. Over the season, the team has to go over hurdles, so I am delighted."
Arsenal's players echoed their manager's happiness, with stand-in captain Jorginho highlighting how the team spirit helped them over the line.
"We had to work really hard, as you saw, we knew it was going to be a difficult game," he told Sky Sports.
"On these days you have to work, and we know we can count on each other as teammates.
"At the end, it paid off, and we are so happy that we won. We had key players missing, but we are a total team, the whole squad. We know that whoever comes on will be ready to help the team. We are really proud of the team."
Arsenal's victory over their rivals was the first time since 1988 that they have won three in a row at Tottenham, and that significance was not lost on the players.
"We did it three times in a row now, and you felt the excitement in the dressing room after the game," Jurrien Timber said to BBC Match of the Day.
"You know how bad the fans want to win this game, but it's the same for every game. You prepare for every game the same way, but it felt really nice winning this one.
"I am really, really enjoying it even with all these games coming up. The feeling of being fit is an amazing feeling.
"It's a true honour. We showed up today and credit to everyone who came in."
Portsmouth 0-3 West Brom: Baggies go top by routing Pompey
West Brom went top of the early-season Championship table with a comfortable 3-0 win at Portsmouth on Sunday, with Alex Mowatt scoring twice.
Mowatt struck twice in the second half after Josh Maja had given Carlos Corberan's men an early lead at Fratton Park, as Portsmouth's wait for a first win of the season continued.
Maja needed just 54 seconds to put Albion ahead, slamming home for his fifth goal of the season after Tom Fellows got to the byline to cut it back.
The visitors started the second half almost as quickly as they began the first, doubling their lead on 51 minutes as Mowatt curled home left-footed following fine combination play from John Swift and Karlan Grant.
If Mowatt's first goal was good, his second was outstanding as he capped the result in stoppage time, whipping a free-kick into the top-right corner to give Norris no chance.
West Brom's fourth win of the season sees them move one point clear of Sunderland at the summit, while Portsmouth slip to 23rd, only taking three points since their promotion from League One.
Data Debrief: Maja out on his own
Maja's fifth goal of the season took him one clear at the top of the Championship's scoring charts, ahead of Blackburn Rovers' Yulo Ohashi, Oxford United's Mark Harris and Millwall's Duncan Watmore (all four).
Maja was certainly busy on Sunday, attempting more shots (six) and accumulating more expected goals (1.03 xG) than anyone else on the pitch, while also laying on one chance.
Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal: Gabriel snatches derby-day win
Gabriel Magalhaes scored the decisive goal as Arsenal got back to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Tottenham on Sunday.
The defender netted the only goal of the contest after 64 minutes, punishing Spurs for a lapse in concentration from a corner as he drifted away from Cristian Romero to thump in Bukayo Saka's pinpoint cross.
The hosts had the better chances in the first half, through Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke, but were thwarted by David Raya's saves and some disappointing misses.
Despite Spurs' search for a late equaliser, Arsenal were able to hold out for the win and maintain their unbeaten start to the Premier League season.
Mikel Arteta's side are up to second in the table on 10 points, while Spurs are 13th after suffering their second defeat of the campaign.
Data Debrief: Set-piece specialists
Arsenal have a knack for scoring from set-pieces, and they proved their prowess once more thanks to Gabriel's towering finish.
It is the 23rd goal Arsenal have scored from set-pieces (excluding penalties) since the start of last season, more than any other side, while three of their last four Premier League goals against Spurs have come from corners.
The Gunners secured a sixth consecutive away league win, their best streak since a run of eight between March and September 2013 under Arsene Wenger. They have also now won three consecutive away North London derbies for the first time since September 1988.
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