QPR v Norwich live

Posted on February 2, 2013 by adminsports

PREMIER LEAGUE LIVE: QPR v Norwich – follow the action from Loftus Road as it happens

By
Alex Horlock

PUBLISHED:

04:00 GMT, 2 February 2013

UPDATED:

12:16 GMT, 2 February 2013

Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Barclays Premier League as QPR host Norwich at Loftus Road to begin the weekend's action. The rock bottom Hoops boosted their squad in the January transfer window and take on Chris Hughton's Canaries who are without a league win in seven games.

12.16: As results have gradually improved under Redknapp at QPR, Norwich have slipped a little in recent fixtures. But the Canaries bounced back from a 5-0 hammering at Anfield by drawing 1-1 at home to Tottenham.

12.10: So Samba and Townsend start, but Loic Remy and Nedum Onuoha will play no part in the match.

Queens Park Rangers tweeted moments ago: 'Striker Loic Remy and defender Nedum Onuoha both ruled out due to injury. #QPRvNOR'

12.09: An Norwich's starting XI: Bunn, Martin, Bassong, Turner, Garrido, Tettey, Johnson, Snodgrass, Hoolahan, Pilkington, Holt

12.06: Here is QPR's starting line-up. No Loic Remy. Redknapp has selected Jamie Mackie to play up top: Cesar; Fabio, Samba, Hill, Traore, Wright-Phillips, Derry, Mbia, Townsend, Taarabt, Mackie

12.05: Redknapp will surely be targeting a win today. After a tricky run of games, including the likes of Manchester City and Tottenham, QPR will be keen to pile the pressure on fellow strugglers.

Should Rangers win this afternoon, they'll move within one point of Aston Villa, who face Everton at Goodison Park at 3.00pm.

12.00: Good afternoon all. There could be a few new boys making their debuts in this afternoon's early kick-off. Luciano Becchio could start up front for Norwich, as Harry Redknapp could use Jermaine Jenas, Andros Townsend and Christopher Samba – if he's fit.

The Congolese centre half joined from Anzhi for a record 12.5million on deadline day and Redknapp will be hoping Samba can keep Norwich out if he deputises at the heart of the basement boys' defence.

Saturday starters: QPR host Norwich at Loftus Road to begin the weekend's Premier League action

Chelsea 0 QPR 1 match report: Shaun Wright-Phillips scores winner

Posted on January 3, 2013 by adminsports

Chelsea 0 QPR 1: Wright-Phillips scores on Stamford Bridge return to give Rafa the Blues

PUBLISHED:

21:36 GMT, 2 January 2013

UPDATED:

21:46 GMT, 2 January 2013

Shaun Wright-Phillips scored the only goal of the game against his former club as QPR pulled off one of the shock results of the season to all but end Chelsea's title challenge.

Blues boss Rafa Benitez opted to rest key men Juan Mata, Ashley Cole, Eden Hazard and Ramires from the start and he was made to pay the price for that gamble by Harry Redknapp's resurgent Rs.

Bolt from the blue: Wright-Phillips' 79th-minute strike stunned the hosts

Match facts

Chelsea: Cech, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Bertrand, Luiz, Lampard (Ramires 79), Marin (Hazard 60), Oscar, Moses (Mata 75), Torres.

Subs not used: Hilario, Cole, Ferreira, Piazon.

Booked: Marin.

QPR: Julio Cesar, Onuoha, Nelsen, Hill, Da Silva, Mbia, Derry, Hoilett (Wright-Phillips 15), Granero (Park 90), Taarabt (Dyer 90), Mackie.

Subs not used: Green, Ferdinand, Cisse, Faurlin.

Booked: Hill.

Goal: Wright-Phillips 79.

Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire)

Attendance: 41,634

The latest Premier League table, fixtures and results

More to follow…

Lucky boy: Marko Marin was fortunate not to see red for this challenge on Stephane Mbia

Back with a bang: Harry Redknapp's men recovered from their humiliating defeat at home to Liverpool

Rock solid: Ryan Nelsen impressed at the back for QPR

Gamble: Benitez rested several key men for the west London derby

Bad day at the office: Chelsea couldn't break QPR's resistance

Right place, Wright time: Former Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips lashes home the winner

Happy New Year: QPR are now five points from safety

QPR 1 Reading 1: Match report

Posted on November 4, 2012 by adminsports

QPR 1 Reading 1: Cisse saves Rangers from defeat… but Hughes still looking for first win

UPDATED:

16:00 GMT, 4 November 2012

QPR and Reading both remain without a win in the Barclays Premier League this season after cancelling each other out at Loftus Road.

The visitors began the brighter and took the lead in the 16th minute, former QPR defender Kaspars Gorkss volleying in after Rangers were all at sea defending a corner.

The hosts were booed off at half-time but ramped up the pressure at the start of the second half and equalised in the 66th minute through Djibril Cisse.

Leveller: Djibril Cisse scored a crucial equaliser for QPR just after the hour mark

One up: Kaspars Gorkss (centre) wheels away after firing his side into the lead after 16 minutes

MATCH FACTS

QPR: Julio Cesar, Traore (Onuoha 84), Ferdinand, Nelsen, Bosingwa, Diakite, Taarabt, Granero, Cisse, Mackie (Zamora 81), Hoilett

Subs not used: Green, Hill, Derry, Wright-Phillips, Faurlin

Goal: Cisse 66

Reading: McCarthy, Gunter, Shorey, Morrison, Gorkss, Leigertwood, McAnuff (Robson-Kanu 79), Tabb, Hunt, McCleary (Kebe 62), Roberts (Le Fondre 88)

Subs not used: Federici, Pearce, Cummings, Pogrebnyak

Booked: Hunt, Le Fondre

Goal: Gorkss 16

Referee: Michael Oliver

Attendance: 16,797

And QPR would have won it but for a
brilliant save from Alex McCarthy to deny Adel Taarabt, the second
stunning stop of the afternoon from the Reading keeper.

The result did little to help either
team, with Rangers remaining five points from safety – although they did
climb off the bottom for 24 hours at least – and Reading only a point
ahead.

Brian McDermott's side were looking to
bounce back from their remarkable Capital One Cup defeat by Arsenal in
midweek, where they led 4-0 only to lose 7-5 after extra-time.

There was no hangover as they began
with much more urgency than the home side and Jobi McAnuff's dangerous
cross had be to cleared from in front of the near post by Anton
Ferdinand, before Noel Hunt saw his shot deflected just wide.

Cisse was back in the QPR side and had
dyed his hair blue for the occasion, and the Frenchman had Rangers'
first decent effort in the 12th minute with a shot just over the angle
of post and bar.

Powerless: Julio Cesar was unable to keep the ball out as Gorkss rifled it past the Brazilian goalkeeper

Hot seat: QPR owner Tony Fernandes sat in Mark Hughes' chair ahead of the game at Loftus Road

Breakthrough: Cisse slid to knock the ball past the goalkeeper and into the side netting

Reading possessed much the greater threat, though, and they took a deserved lead in the 16th minute from a Nicky Shorey corner.

Sean Morrison headed against the bar
and Gorkss volleyed in his first Premier League goal, with Julio Cesar
getting a hand to the ball but only helping it into the net.

The Latvian declined to celebrate
against the club he left last summer but QPR will be sick of the sight
of him after Gorkss also netted in Reading's Capital One Cup win earlier
this season.

The home fans began to vent their
frustration and the chances their side were creating were hardly
clear-cut ones, with Cisse screwing a shot wide and Taarabt firing over
and then twice shooting straight at McCarthy.

QPR did go much closer in the 38th minute after Morrison fouled Jamie Mackie on the edge of the box.

Tussle: Jamie Mackie (left) challenges Sean Morrison as the pair fight for possession

Under fire: Mark Hughes has had a slow start to the season with Queens Park Rangers

The boss: Fernandes was at Loftud Road keeping an eye on his club in action

Under fire: Mark Hughes, right, has had a tough start to the season with QPR, as Fernandes was at Loftus Road to watch his team in action

Indeed they would have scored but for a
stunning save from McCarthy, who pushed Esteban Granero's free-kick
onto the bar, with Jose Bosingwa firing the rebound just over.

Three minutes into the second half
Granero was given another chance from virtually the same position when
Jay Tabb felled Samba Diakite, but this time he curled his shot just
wide.

Reading seemed content to sit on their
lead and QPR began to pile on the pressure, with Junior Hoilett and
Cisse both seeing shots blocked, but still the goal would not come.

The hosts' momentum was disrupted by
an injury to Hunt, who caught an elbow in the face from Granero, which
referee Michael Oliver deemed to be accidental.

Seasoned: Jason Roberts looks to dispossess Armand Traore

Jubilant: Cisse looked overjoyed after he made the breakthrough for QPR

It did not take QPR long to pick up
where they left off, though, and this time they got their reward as
Cisse took one touch to control a cross from Bosingwa and beat Morrison
before finding the bottom corner.

Taarabt then continued his personal
duel with McCarthy but again the keeper was equal to the 25-yard shot,
diving to his right to push it away.

Reading have found holding onto leads
impossible so far this season but they set out to restore their
advantage, with substitute Jimmy Kebe firing just wide after a great run
and Jason Roberts seeing a shot blocked by Ferdinand.

It was QPR who looked more likely to
find a winner, though, and Taarabt thought he had when he was played
clean through by Cisse in the 83rd minute, but McCarthy stuck out a hand
and a foot to divert the shot behind.

The striker had run off to celebrate and held his head in his hands but, great save though it was, he really should have scored.

There was a frenetic five minutes of
injury time featuring scares for both sides and a booking for diving for
Reading substitute Adam Le Fondre, but no more goals.

Why always me Mark Hughes was looking for his first win this season with QPR

Arsenal 1 QPR 0 – match report

Posted on October 27, 2012 by adminsports

Arsenal 1 QPR 0: Relief as Arteta bundles home late winner to down 10-man Rangers

UPDATED:

16:09 GMT, 27 October 2012

Mikel Arteta's late goal gave Arsenal a much-needed 1-0 win over struggling QPR at the Emirates Stadium, where England midfielder Jack Wilshere returned for the Gunners after more than a year on the sidelines.

Arsenal had endured a difficult spell following the international break with successive defeats at Norwich and Schalke preceding a heated annual general meeting on Thursday.

It was, though, far from a vintage Arsenal display against a hard-working QPR side, who owed much to an inspired performance by goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

Spain gain: Mikel Arteta poked home a late winner for Arsenal against 10-men QPR

MATCH FACTS

ARSENAL: Mannone, Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Andre Santos, Arteta, Wilshere (Walcott 67), Cazorla, Ramsey, Podolski (Gervinho 71), Giroud, Gervinho (Arshavin 81). Subs Not Used: Martinez, Koscielny, Coquelin, Jenkinson.

Booked: Giroud.

Goals: Arteta 84.

QPR: Julio Cesar, Bosingwa, Mbia, Nelsen, Traore (Onuoha 73), Wright-Phillips (Mackie 79), Diakite, Granero, Hoilett, Taarabt, Zamora (Cisse 72). Subs Not Used: Green, Ferdinand, Ephraim, Faurlin.

Sent Off: Mbia (80).

Booked: Granero, Taarabt.

Attendance: 60,103

Referee: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire).

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The Brazilian was finally beaten by
Arteta's scrambled effort with eight minutes left after QPR full-back
Stephane Mbia had been sent off for kicking out at Gunners defender
Thomas Vermaelen.

Wilshere's previous Arsenal league
appearance came in May 2011 and he missed the whole of the 2011-12
campaign with niggling ankle and knee problems, which ruled him out of
Euro 2012 and the London Olympics.

The 20-year-old's first touch was
greeted by huge cheers around the stadium, and it was a positive start
by the hosts. Mbia diverted Andre Santos' low cross goalwards, which
Cesar cleared with his legs.

In the 10th minute, a looping header from Aaron Ramsey dropped onto the top of the crossbar.

There was almost a dream return for
Wilshere when he collected the ball in midfield and charged to the edge
of the QPR penalty area before drilling in a low, left-foot shot which
Cesar spilled but then collected as Santi Cazorla looked for a rebound.

He's back: Jack Wilshere made his first appearance for the Gunners in 524 days

QPR, still without a Barclays Premier
League away win and bottom of the table, looked dangerous on the
counter-attack, especially through Shaun Wright-Phillips who stretched
Santos at every opportunity.

Arsenal threatened again on the
half-hour as Olivier Giroud's angled shot was parried away before Lukas
Podolski crashed a 25-yard free-kick into the defensive wall.

Wilshere then fed Santos out on the left, and the Brazilian cut back inside but curled a tame effort at Cesar.

He's Bac too: As well as Wilshere, Bacary Sagna was appearing for the first time this season

At the start of the second half,
there was a moment of concern when QPR midfielder Esteban Granero stood
on Wilshere's foot and left the England man on the floor. He hobbled off
for some treatment but was able to rejoin the action.

In the 50th minute, a floated
free-kick from Arteta into the QPR penalty area was headed goalwards by
Per Mertesacker, but Cesar made a good save at full stretch.

At the other end, Junior Hoilett put
the ball in the Arsenal net, chipping Gunners goalkeeper Vito Mannone,
but play had already been stopped by an offside flag against three QPR
players.

Hooped: Aaron Ramsey continued to be deployed on the right before switching back to the middle

The match was becoming an
increasingly scrappy affair, as referee Anthony Taylor struggled to keep
order following a series of free-kicks.

With 25 minutes left, Wilshere was replaced by Theo Walcott and left the field to a standing ovation from the home support.

Podolski then came off for Gervinho as Arsene Wenger looked to inject some pace down the flanks.

QPR made a double change as Djibril Cisse and Nedum Onuoha replaced Bobby Zamora and the injured Armand Traore.

The best opening of the game fell to
Cazorla after good work from Walcott down the right, but the Spaniard,
who had been so impressive before the international break, blasted the
ball over from 12 yards.

Interested spectator: Stan Kroenke was in the stands for the second successive match

Nervous: Both Arsene Wenger and Mark Hughes have been under pressure for different reasons

QPR were reduced to 10 men with 10
minutes left when Mbia was shown a red card for kicking out at Vermaelen
after he had been fouled by the Gunners skipper.

Gervinho picked up an injury, and was taken down the tunnel on a stretcher. He was replaced by Andrey Arshavin.

QPR continued to defend bravely, as Cesar clawed a deflected clearance onto the post.

The visitors' resolve, however, was finally broken in the 84th minute.

Arteta bundled the ball in after
Giroud's header was saved superbly by Cesar and the Spaniard's follow-up
header hit the crossbar.

Ramsey's shot was pushed wide by the
impressive QPR keeper, who also denied Cazorla as Arsenal continued to
press in the closing stages.

Mannone saved from QPR substitute Jamie Mackie in stoppage time to secure a welcome victory for Wenger's battle-weary Gunners.

QPR v Everton live

Posted on October 21, 2012 by adminsports

PREMIER LEAGUE LIVE: QPR v Everton – follow the action from Loftus Road as it happens

UPDATED:

15:17 GMT, 21 October 2012

Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Barclays Premier League as QPR host Everton at Loftus Road to conclude the weekend's action. The Toffees are fighting for a top four spot at this stage of the season but the rock bottom Hoops will be aiming to secure their first victory of the campaign. Send me your thoughts on the action at dan.ripley@dailymail.co.uk or contact me on Twitter @Ripinho.

QPR 1-0 Everton (4pm)

Click here for the live goals as they go in

QPR: Julio Cesar, Bosingwa, Diakite,
Nelsen, Traore, Mbia, Granero, Park, Taarabt, Hoilett, Zamora.
Subs:
Green, Ferdinand, Cisse, Wright Phillips, Mackie, Onuoha, Faurlin.

Goals: Hoilett 2.

Everton: Howard, Coleman, Distin,
Jagielka, Baines, Mirallas, Neville, Osman, Pienaar, Jelavic, Anichebe.
Subs: Mucha, Heitinga, Oviedo, Naismith, Hitzlsperger, Gueye, Duffy.

Referee: Jon Moss (W Yorkshire)

Click here for the live Premier League table

17min: Cesar does his best to prove me wrong though, as he safely parries away a Nikica Jelavic free-kick from 23 yards out.

14min: No real chances since but I can't see this game staying 1-0. It's been fast paced and en-to-end so far as Hoilett runs the ball out for a goal kick.

11min: Everton respond with a free-kick but Phil Jagielka's header from a Leighton Baines cross is easily taken by Cesar.

9min: It's not Howard's day today. The keeper slips trying to clear a backpass and only just reaches the ball before a charging Hoilett can claim a touch.

As a result the Hoops pick up the clearance, before Adel Taarabt's clever pass for Armand Traore into the box sees the full-back fire a dangerous low ball across goal that only lacks a touch on target from a team-mate.

8min: From OptaJoe:

2 – Junior Hoilett's goal is the earliest QPR have scored in the PL since Les Ferdinand after 2 mins vs West Ham in December 1994. Burst.

5min: If ever a side needed a confidence boost (and a slice of luck) it was QPR and that early goal has worked wonders. Mark Hughes' side are controlling the game now as they search for a second goal.

Quick out of the blocks: Junior Hoilett's deflected strike gave QPR the lead

2min: GOAL! QPR 1-0 Everton

The Hoops have to defend successive corners but take the lead through a direct counter! Julio Cesar's punch clear finds Junior Hoilett, who shakes off the attention of Phil Neville as he runs 50 yards before seeing a shot deflect off Leighton Baines and over a helpless Tim Howard.

Kick-off: QPR get us going.

15.55: The players are out at an overcast Loftus Road, which being the smallest stadium in the Premier League is not surprisingly packed out.

15.50: Everton boss David Moyes spoke to Sky Sports before the game:

'Our attacking play and chances we have created have been good to watch – I've enjoyed it myself.

'We've not had many injuries but through the season you have to cope with these things.

'It's a tough challenge, QPR have an experienced team and I've seen a few of their games – they have been unfortunate.'

15.46: On more positive issues, Everton are chasing three points today that will put them just one point behind Manchester United and Manchester City who are second and third respectively in the table.

Another win for the Toffees and they will record their best start since 1978 – when they eventually finished fourth. No cheap Champions League places back then though.

No support: Anton Ferdinand was one of a number of players who chose not to wear the anti-racism t-shirts

15.43: A big issue this week has surrounded players choosing not to wear the 'Kick It Out' t-shirts that support an anti-racism campaign.

Today is no different with Anton Ferdinand and Shaun Wright-Phillips among the QPR players without the shirts on during their warm up.

15.40: Full line-ups from Loftus Road:

QPR v Everton
QPR: Julio Cesar, Bosingwa, Diakite, Nelsen, Traore, Mbia, Granero, Park, Taarabt, Hoilett, Zamora. Subs: Green, Ferdinand, Cisse, Wright Phillips, Mackie, Onuoha, Faurlin.

Everton: Howard, Coleman, Distin, Jagielka, Baines, Mirallas, Neville, Osman, Pienaar, Jelavic, Anichebe. Subs: Mucha, Heitinga, Oviedo, Naismith, Hitzlsperger, Gueye, Duffy.

Referee: Jon Moss (W Yorkshire)

15.35: QPR boss Mark Hughes makes three changes to his starting line-up for the visit of Everton, with his side still searching for their first Barclays Premier League win of the season.

Armand Traore, Samba Diakite and Junior Hoilett are all recalled with Shaun Wright-Phillips and Anton Ferdinand dropping to the bench and Clint Hill missing out altogether.

Everton bring in Victor Anichebe for the injured Marouane Fellaini with Sylvain Distin replacing John Heitinga in defence.

New signing Thomas Hitzlsperger is named amongst the Everton substitutes.

15.30: If the Wear-Tyne derby was huge for local importance then the climax to this weekend's Premier League fixtures is just as big for both ends of the table.

QPR v Everton doesn't scream blockbuster but the hosts are ready to hit the panic button at the bottom of the table, while the Toffees have a Champions League spot to prove they can seriously challenge for. There's plenty to look forward to and the team news is coming right up.

Up for the fight: QPR will hope to kick start their season when they host Everton

QPR 1 West Ham 2 match report: Matt Jarvis and Ricardo vaz Te strike

Posted on October 2, 2012 by adminsports

QPR 1 West Ham 2: Jarvis and Vaz Te strike to sink 10-man Rangers

UPDATED:

21:00 GMT, 1 October 2012

Matt Jarvis scored his first goal for West Ham who saw-off a late rally from 10-man QPR to win the Barclays Premier League clash 2-1 at Loftus Road.

Jarvis's headed effort handed the Hammers the lead early in the London derby and Ricardo vaz Te doubled the lead with a scrambled effort in the 35th minute.

Hoops' substitute Adel Taarabt briefly gave the hosts hope of taking something from the match with a stunning drive, just a minute after coming on.

But hope faded after Samba Diakite was shown a red card for two bookable offences with 15 minutes remaining having only been on the pitch for 19 minutes.

More to follow…

Net result: Jarvis's header gave West Ham an early lead at Loftus Road

Match facts

QPR: Julio Cesar, Hill, Nelsen, Mbia, Onuoha, Wright-Phillips (Taarabt 56), Granero, Faurlin, Park (Diakite 56), Zamora, Cisse.

Subs: Green, Mackie, Ephraim, Hoilett, Ehmer.

Goals: Taarabt 57.

West Ham: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Reid (Tomkins 24), Collins, O'Brien (McCartney 35), Noble, Diame, Vaz Te, Nolan, Jarvis, Cole (Carroll 72).

Subs: Henderson, Maiga, Benayoun, O'Neil.

Goals: Jarvis 3, Vaz Te 35.

Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear)

Latest Premier League results, fixtures and table

Double your money: Vaz Te fired home from close range to extend the Hammers' lead

Pick that one out: Taarabt scored a stunning long range effort

Look who's back: Carroll made a welcome return after an injury lay-off

QPR 0 Chelsea 0 – match report

Posted on September 15, 2012 by adminsports

QPR 0 Chelsea 0: Handshake snub fails to spark any life into drab derby

UPDATED:

16:13 GMT, 15 September 2012

In the end it was almost all about the handshake as Chelsea and QPR produced a dire goalless draw in Saturday's west London derby.

Both sides failed to ensure John Terry and Ashley Cole's reunion with Anton Ferdinand would not remain the main talking point of the game as the Blues dropped their first points of the Barclays Premier League season.

Better finishing from Eden Hazard, Park Ji-Sung and Bobby Zamora might have changed that – as might different verdicts on two penalty calls.

As good as it got: Anton Ferdinand's snub of John Terry was the the only real moment of drama

MATCH FACTS

QPR: Julio Cesar, Ferdinand, Nelsen, Bosingwa, Fabio (Onuoha 20), Park Ji-sung, Wright-Phillips (Cisse 69), Granero, Faurlin, Johnson (Mackie 32), Zamora Subs not used: Green, Taarabt, Dyer, Hoilett.

CHELSEA: Cech, Ivanovic, Cole, David Luiz, Terry, Bertrand (Moses 58), Ramires, Lampard, Mikel, Hazard, Torres (Sturridge 81) Subs not used: Turnbull, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Romeu, Oscar

Booked: Bertrand, Ramires

Otherwise, the two clubs simply
appeared unable to move the agenda on from what happened at Loftus Road
almost a year ago, something that saw Terry cleared in court of racially
abusing Ferdinand but blanked by his fellow defender today.

The handshake itself went as well as could be expected.

Fears of a mass boycott by QPR's
players proved unfounded but Ferdinand made a real show of snubbing both
Terry and Cole – who also spoke in court – much to the delight of the
home fans.

They, too, made their feelings about the pair crystal clear.

Tension: Both Terry and Ferdinand were jeered every time they touched the ball during the match

Along with the usual abuse of Terry,
came chants of, 'John Terry, we know what you said', and, 'Ashley Cole,
you're John Terry's *****'.

Terry, who denies the Football
Association charge he still faces over last year's altercation, almost
silenced them inside two minutes when he just failed to get telling
contact on Frank Lampard's corner.

Hazard had no such excuses two
minutes after that when he fired Ramires' cross straight at Julio Cesar,
who was handed his debut in the QPR goal.

Rangers were far from overawed and,
despite their high turnover of personnel since the clubs last met, their
players seemed acutely aware what was at stake.

Try as he might: Eden Hazard was the star turn in Chelsea's line-up but failed break QPR down

The home side were snapping into
Chelsea, just as they had in last season's corresponding fixture,
something Ramires took exception to when he tripped Alejandro Faurlin
after being fouled himself and was duly booked.

But Rangers were hardly a threat themselves.

Zamora firing too close to Petr Cech was their only effort on target in the first half, while Chelsea went
close again when Fernando Torres blasted straight at Cesar after
tricking his way into the box – his only effort of a risible
performance.

Old and the new: Former Chelsea man Shaun Wright-Phillips was unable to fire a reminder of his talents

QPR then lost both Fabio and Andy
Johnson to injury in the space of just over 10 minutes, Nedum Onuoha and
Jamie Mackie coming on.

Both sides had already seen soft
penalty appeals rejected but, in between the substitutions, Chelsea had
two that might have been given.
First, Terry went down after being leant on in the box by Ryan Nelsen.

And after Ryan Bertrand was booked
for going through the back of Shaun Wright-Phillips, the QPR winger was
fortunate to get away with a clumsy challenge on Hazard.

Kept at be: Fernando Torres was left frustrated by QPR new boy Julio Cesar in goal

David Luiz sent a free diving header over from Lampard's corner before the game began to drift aimlessly towards half-time.

Even QPR's fans were losing interest
in abusing Terry and Cole, although Mackie gave them something to cheer
about when he tested Cech at the end of a neat move early in the second
half.

But it was Terry's attempts at
showboating in the Rangers half that really turned up the volume and
Rangers responded, captain Park wasting a glorious chance to nod them in
front from Esteban Granero's cross.

Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo
responded by sending on Victor Moses for his debut, in place of Bertrand
but QPR continued to enjoy the upper hand, albeit with some wasteful
finishing.

Rough and tumble: Esteban Granero, and Ramires enjoyed a ding-dong battle in the middle of the park

Di Matteo tried again, going 4-3-3,
with Ramires dropping back into midfield, and it almost had an effect
when Branislav Ivanovic nodded Hazard's cross wide.

Djibril Cisse replaced
Wright-Phillips for the final 20 minutes, which witnessed an injury
scare for Terry when he pulled up clutching his knee.

He was able to continue but was then
involved in a comedy of errors that should have seen Zamora score,
missing a lofted ball that John Obi Mikel played blind straight to the
striker.

Zamora hesitated long enough to allow Terry to get back and block his finish.

Moses tested Cesar at the other end before Daniel Sturridge came on to add the urgency Torres had been lacking.

And with three minutes remaining,
Hazard should have won it when he blazed over completely unmarked, as if
it was always destined to be about the handshake.

Manchester City 3 QPR 1: Match report

Posted on September 1, 2012 by adminsports

Manchester City 3 QPR 1: Dzeko and Tevez save City's blushes as champions edge past R's

UPDATED:

18:51 GMT, 1 September 2012

Yaya Toure, Edin Dzeko and Carlos Tevez struck as a dominant but wasteful Manchester City narrowly saw off QPR at the Etihad Stadium once again.

Sixteen weeks after the dramatic season finale that saw City crowned Barclays Premier League champions at the same ground, the hosts survived another scare against the side managed by their former boss, Mark Hughes.

Despite creating a multitude of chances, City needed a quick response from Dzeko after Bobby Zamora cancelled out Toure's effort but Tevez made the scoreline more convincing in injury time.

Going ahead: Manchester City's Yaya Toure scored for City in the first half

MATCH FACTS:

Man City: Hart, Zabaleta (Toure 74), Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov, Silva (Milner 81), Toure, Rodwell, Nasri (Razak 89), Tevez, Dzeko.
Subs Not Used: Pantilimon, Sinclair, Clichy, Balotelli.

Booked: Kolarov, Rodwell.

Goals: Toure 16, Dzeko 61, Tevez 90.

QPR: Green, Bosingwa, Ferdinand (Onuoha 67), Nelsen, Da Silva, Wright-Phillips, Granero (Cisse 85), Park, Faurlin (Dyer 72), Zamora, Johnson.

Subs Not Used: Murphy, Derry, Mackie, Hoilett.

Booked: Zamora.

Goals: Zamora 59.

Referee: Chris Foy

Apart from QPR's recovery after falling behind, the match had little in common with that in May.

The visitors were hardly a factor for long spells and only three of their starting line-up were in the team that memorable afternoon.

Their changes included a debut for new signing Esteban Granero while goalkeeper Robert Green, dropped from the England squad this week, started what could be his last match as first choice.

The 32-year-old only joined the club in the summer but now faces an uncertain future following this week's capture of Julio Cesar from Inter Milan.

Scott Sinclair was the only one of City's five deadline day signings to make their squad but did not get off the bench.

City, watched by Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho ahead of their Champions League meeting, soon established control with Toure bossing the midfield.

QPR survived a scare in the first minute when Dzeko, starting for the first time this season, glanced a header wide from a corner.

Fairing home: Toure gets the ball past Rob Green through a crowded penalty area

The Bosnian went even closer as he was first to meet another corner but this time Fabio da Silva, on loan from Manchester United, did well to hack off the line.

Toure powered in on the rebound but this time former City playmaker Shaun Wright-Phillips blocked.

The City pressure continued as Rangers were starved of possession and an Aleksandar Kolarov cross almost fell for Jack Rodwell after a touch from Tevez.

QPR's first opportunity came from a City mistake as Rodwell overhit a backpass and the ball dropped over his own bar for a corner. The visitors were unable to capitalise.

Ouch! Pablo Zabaleta challenges Queens Park Rangers' Park Ji-Sung

It seemed inevitable City would take the lead and their opener came in the 16th minute as Tevez saw an effort blocked from yet another corner but Toure followed up to thump home.

Green got a hand to it but could do little on what was shaping up to be a difficult afternoon for him.

Former Real Madrid man Granero had QPR's first shot when he found space outside the area but Joe Hart was not troubled.

David Silva tricked his way into the QPR box and dug the ball out from under his feet to force Green to save and Samir Nasri was unable to follow up.

Free header: Bobby Zamora heads QPR level

Silva spurned another opportunity when he was played through by a superb long ball from Kolarov. The Spaniard failed to get away a shot quick enough and Fabio produced another timely block.

Tevez fired over as City continued to power forward and Rodwell wasted an opening when he opted to pass instead of shoot.

QPR's opportunities were limited but Granero looked composed when allowed time on the ball but missed the target with another attempt.

Jumping for joy: Andy Johnson celebrates with Zamora after his goal

Take that! Zamora celebrates his goal in front of the QPR fans

City returned for the second half with much the same approach as the first and threatened a second straight from the restart as Tevez drilled an awkward shot at Green.

The tireless Pablo Zabaleta, probably knowing new signing Maicon might be after his place, went even closer as he took a fine pass from Silva and curled an effort onto the bar.

Yet as much as they were dominant, recent history threatened to repeat itself as QPR levelled against the run of play just before the hour.

Winner: Edin Dzeko celebrates scoring his side's winning goal

Andrew Johnson stole possession outside the area and forced a good save from Hart with a deflected shot. Hart could not recover his footing quick enough to regather and Zamora stole in to head home.

Yet in contrast to last May, City began their reply earlier and without falling behind.

They swiftly moved back up the field and Tevez did well to keep the ball in play and cross for Dzeko to head home at close range.

It should have been the sign for City to wrap up the game but despite continuing to carve out chances – Dzeko twice shooting only to be flagged offside – it remained a slender lead.

Making sure: Carlos Tevez celebrates his goal in stoppage time

There were definite signs of nerves when Granero whipped in a free-kick and Ryan Nelsen narrowly failed to touch in at the far post.

City wrapped up the job in injury time as Tevez, moving back into an onside position, diverted the ball home from Dzeko's shot.

After apparently being told off for lifting his shirt in recent weeks, he kept it down this time.

Manchester City v QPR live

Posted on September 1, 2012 by adminsports

PREMIER LEAGUE LIVE: Manchester City v QPR – as it happens from the Etihad Stadium

UPDATED:

17:09 GMT, 1 September 2012

Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Barclays Premier League as Manchester City host QPR to conclude Saturday's action.The fixture is a rematch of the final game from last season where City secured the title in the last minute. Send me your thoughts on the action at dan.ripley@dailymail.co.uk or contact me on Twitter @Ripinho.

Manchester City 1-0 QPR (5.30pm)

Click here for the live goals as they go in

Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany,
Lescott, Kolarov, Silva, Toure, Rodwell, Nasri, Tevez, Dzeko.
Subs:
Pantilimon, Milner, Sinclair, Clichy, Toure, Balotelli, Razak.

Goals: Yaya Toure 15.

QPR: Green, Bosingwa, Ferdinand,
Nelsen, Da Silva, Wright-Phillips, Granero, Park, Faurlin, Zamora,
Johnson.
Subs: Murphy, Derry, Cisse, Mackie, Onuoha, Dyer, Hoilett.

Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)

37min: QPR are just starting to find some confidence now as they begin to string passes in the City half. However, most of the time it leads to a counter from Mancini's side.

34min: From that punch, City counter. Kolarov's excellent switched pass picks out Silva, but the Spaniard's eventual shot is blocked.

33min: Wait, we have a QPR attack. The Hoops win a free-kick on the left flank but Esteban Granero's cross is punched away from the forehead of Ryan Nelsen by Joe Hart.

30min: Mark Hughes looks utterly bewildered about his side's first half-hour.

The Welshman is telling QPR to push up with the ball…but they need to get it first.

27min: More City chances as Green reacts well to palm away Silva's drive after the Spaniard stole the ball from Anton Ferdinand inside the box.

24min: City have had 70 per cent of the ball and that's surprising as I thought it would be more around 80! QPR just cannot get a hold of the ball.

21min: Nearly two for City, but after storming down the left, Aleksandar Kolarov's cross is cut out by the QPR defence.

18min: This is one of the most one-sided openings to a game I have seen in recent times as David Silva wastes a promising free-kick for Manchester City by over hitting his cross wide.

15min: GOAL! MANCHESTER CITY 1-0 QPR

Relentless pressure from the hosts finally pays off as the Hoops fail to clear another corner and Yaya Toure smashes home from inside the box.

14min: Nearly a bizarre own goal as Jack Rodwell's attempted tackle from 45 yards out nearly ends up lobbing Joe Hart as it just clears the crossbar. Think Jason Cundy for Tottenham against Ipswich around 20 years ago.

Hands off: Manchester City's Carlos Tevez (right) attempts to take on QPR's Anton Ferdinand

12min: Off the line! Fabio Da Silva slides to clear a goal bound effort before Toure's follow up is blocked behind. Corner number five is headed over the bar. Relentless opening from City in what is a slightly subdued atmosphere.

11min: Excellent defending from QPR so far, but this City goal is coming as Ryan Nelsen clears behind for a corner.

9min: City win their third corner of the match and nearly score from this one too.

After going short, David Silva chips a ball to the back post where Yaya Toure's headed effort back across goal is plucked out of the air by Robert Green.

6min: First opportunity as expected falls to City, as Edin Dzeko heads wide Samir Nasri's corner.

3min: All the play has been in QPR's half so far – no chances yet though.

Kick-off: Away we go then.

17.27: The players are out under glorious evening sunshine in Manchester.

17.23: There is a chance we could get said drama too. There has been at least four goals in Manchester City's last four games and it's not just against the big boys.

Southampton of course went to the Etihad Stadium on the opening day to take the lead before going down 3-2.

Madrid spy: Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho was in attendance at the Etihad Stadium

17.18: Robert Green starts what could be his last match as QPR's first-choice goalkeeper as the Londoners visit Barclays Premier League champions Manchester City.

The 32-year-old, who also lost his place in the England squad this week, only joined the club in the summer but now faces an uncertain future following this week's capture of Julio Cesar from Inter Milan.

Winless Rangers make six changes from last week's draw with Norwich and hands a debut to midfielder Esteban Granero, signed this week from Real Madrid.

City named new signing Scott Sinclair on the bench while Joleon Lescott, Jack Rodwell, David Silva and Edin Dzeko return. Mario Balotelli is on the bench despite reports he needs eye surgery.

17.15: Full line-ups from the Etihad Stadium:

Man City v QPR
Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov, Silva, Toure, Rodwell, Nasri, Tevez, Dzeko. Subs: Pantilimon, Milner, Sinclair, Clichy, Toure, Balotelli, Razak.

QPR: Green, Bosingwa, Ferdinand, Nelsen, Da Silva, Wright-Phillips, Granero, Park, Faurlin, Zamora, Johnson. Subs: Murphy, Derry, Cisse, Mackie, Onuoha, Dyer, Hoilett.

Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)

17.10: Well who could forget this game on the final day of last season Never mind the fact it crowned Manchester City as champions, QPR also managed to survive relegation.

But forget the consequences for now, what a game it was! A 3-2 win for Roberto Mancini's side was how it finished and if we have drama similar to that again today, I will be a happy man. Team news coming up.

Recreating a classic: Manchester City host QPR in a rematch from the final day of last season

QPR 3 Walsall 0: Rangers win to herald the arrival of Brazil keeper Cesar

Posted on August 29, 2012 by adminsports

QPR 3 Walsall 0: Rangers win to herald the arrival of Cesar

UPDATED:

23:04 GMT, 28 August 2012

Queens Park Rangers qualified for the
third round of the Capital One Cup on Tuesday night, overcoming League
One Walsall before 6,000 at Loftus Road.

On Wednesday morning Rangers should
confirm the signing of Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar, a man who won the
Champions League with Inter Milan two years ago. Walsall, Brazil: those
are two particular types of progress.

Sharp shooter: Shaun Wright-Phillips slides in to score the first goal

MATCH FACTS

QPR: Green, Bosingwa, Nelsen, Ferdinand, Da Silva, Wright-Phillips (Traore 68), Park, Faurlin, Hoilett (Dyer 60), Johnson, Zamora (Cisse 69). Subs Not Used: Murphy, Derry, Mackie, Onuoha.

Goals: Wright-Phillips 29, Zamora 66, Bosingwa 84.

Walsall: Grof, Purkiss, Holden, Featherstone, Andy Taylor, Adam Chambers (Baxendale 37), Butler, Cuvelier, Hemmings (Jones 78), Grigg (Bowerman 70), Paterson. Subs Not Used: Walker, Williams, Benning, Downing.

Booked: Holden.

Att: 6,129

Ref: Michael Naylor (Sheffield).

How they square financially is a question for QPR owner Tony Fernandes, but then how the west London club have accumulated such a squad on average crowds of 17,000 was already in the air.

Cesar, 32, was in London on Tuesday and is set to become the latest through the old doors of Loftus Road. It is unlikely there will be a more esoteric signing in this transfer window. If it is an unforeseen move for him, swapping the San Siro for South Africa Road, it should act as a landmark for QPR.

Cesar will replace the unfortunate Robert Green, who must be as astonished as anyone in Europe at this development. Whereas others will be intrigued by Cesar’s arrival, Green will be numbed. He has worn the QPR No 1 jersey three times; now he will be No 2.

Mark Hughes said that he has not yet explained the situation to Green, but others have seen the writing on the wall. Both he and Cesar were at the last World Cup only one was baited with chants of ‘dodgy keeper’.

Hot shot: Bobby Zamora of QPR scores their second goal

Blood and thunder: Ryan Nelsen of QPR

They came when Walsall’s Florent
Cuvelier’s 50th-minute shot was spilled for a corner by Green. Dean
Holden then hit Green’s crossbar.

That was as close as Walsall came to an upset on a night when Hughes was
determined to make a statement. Even with five changes from the side
who drew at Norwich on Saturday, Hughes has the squad to send out a
formidable XI.

Shaun Wright-Phillips was one who came in and he gave QPR a lead on the
half-hour. It took time to get a second against a committed and talented
Walsall team, but Bobby Zamora provided it in the 67th minute with a
superb chip.

Jose Bosingwa, making his full debut, and one of the many here who will
be on enormous wages, rattled in a late third. It meant a welcome night
devoid of shock for Hughes, who can focus on QPR’s league form — they go
to Manchester City on Saturday, followed by Chelsea’s first return here
since the John Terry incident. Then there are London derbies at
Tottenham and against West Ham. It has become hectic at QPR.

The date of Cesar’s debut is uncertain but he is likely to be in serious
action quickly. What he makes of swapping the San Siro for Loftus Road
will be interesting. His famous model wife Susana Werner can take tips
from Naomi Campbell.

This sort of acquisition attracts attention. QPR have not been slow at
that over the past couple of years, as Campbell knows, but this is of a
variety more welcome than that cringing fly-on-the-wall documentary or
a Joey Barton tweet or the Terry incident.

Barton is part of the money merry-go-round that QPR have ridden with
zest and when, after the final whistle blew last night, Loftus Road was
evacuated because of a fire that seemed to produce no smoke, the joke
was that Barton’s burning bridges were responsible. There are another 48
hours to decide if he leaves the club.

Back in action: Kieron Dyer (right)

No holding back: QPR's Ji Sun Park

Centre stage: Junior Hoilett of QPR

A departure would add to the bewildering turnover at the club over the
past couple of years. Neil Warnock was the sixth manager in two years
when he succeeded Paul Hart in 2010. Not one of Warnock’s side selected
for the same stage of the same competition last August played last
night. Rangers lost 2-0 to Rochdale then, in front of 4,755.

The empty stands once again told of another side of the club. The
capacity of Loftus Road is 18,000 but the average attendance on their
return to the Premier League was less than Wigan’s. There are plans for a
45,000 all-seat stadium.

It is an uncomfortable thought, but the last Premier League club with
these kinds of attendances and this kind of recruitment was Portsmouth.
‘You’re going down with the Villa,’ sang Walsall’s band of supporters,
shortly after Wright-Phillips had scored the opener.

Sustainability feels like an issue. But QPR are having a go and there
was a time a decade ago when that could not be said. The club still
entered administration and were relegated to the third tier.

Contrasts are circling like hoops. Julio Cesar may see one too. A
Champions League winner, he might have thought that if he landed in west
London one day it would be at Chelsea, or maybe Fulham at a push —
after all, they have been in Europe of late.

Bosingwa scores the third goal

Job done: Bosingwa seals victory

Bosingwa scores the third goal

Off the mark: Bosingwa celebrates the third goal

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