Queens Park Rangers 1 Aston Villa 1 – Match report

Posted on December 1, 2012 by adminsports

QPR 1 Aston Villa 1: Redknapp forced to wait for first win at R's after Loftus Road stalemate

UPDATED:

18:21 GMT, 1 December 2012

Queens Park Rangers equalled the Premier League's longest ever winless start to a season today as they failed to overcome Aston Villa in Harry Redknapp's first home match at the helm.

The west Londoners have now failed to a collect victory from any of their opening 15 matches – an abysmal start that is only matched by the Swindon side of 1993/94.

Much had been expected from QPR today in what was Redknapp's first match at Loftus Road since replacing Mark Hughes at the helm.

One up: Brett Holman scored the opener for Aston Villa

MATCH FACTS

QPR: Green, Traore, Hill, Nelsen, Bosingwa, Diakite (Park Ji-sung 69), Taarabt, Wright-Phillips, Granero (Park Ji-sung 46), M'bia (Derry 39), Mackie

Subs not used: Murphy, Ferdinand, Fabio, Cisse, Hoilett

Booked: Derry

Goal: Mackie 18

Aston Villa: Guzan, Clark, Lichaj, Baker, Lowton, Westwood, Bannan (Delph 67), Herd (Williams 65), Agbonlahor, Holman (El Ahmadi 70), Benteke

Subs not used: Given, Ireland, Bent, Weimann

Booked: Baker, Lowton

Goal: Holman 8

Referee: H Webb

Attendance: 17,387

The latest Premier League table, fixtures and results

The Rs boss had never previously lost
a Premier League home debut as a manager, but that record looked under
serious threat after just eight minutes when Brett Holman fired Villa
ahead from distance.

Jamie Mackie's superb header dragged
QPR level after 18 minutes but an entertaining first half was
overshadowed by a nasty injury sustained by Stephane Mbia.

The Cameroonian went to hospital for a
precautionary check-up, with fellow midfielder Samba Diakite also
forced off injured in a second half in which neither side were able to
find a winner.

QPR came into this afternoon's match
eight points adrift of the safety and their defensive frailties were
quickly exposed as Christian Benteke wriggled free in the box, only to
be denied by a last-ditch Clint Hill challenge.

The effort appeared to put QPR on
edge and only eight minutes in they found themselves behind, with Holman
striking a fierce 25-yard drive that Robert Green, making his first
start since September 1, was unable to keep out in front of the 1,632
visiting fans.

Picking his spot: Holman finds the gap to put Villa into the lead

Hit back: Jamie Mackie equalised for Redknapp's side

Not again: Redknapp watched his side draw their second in a row since his arrival

Impact sub Park Ji-Sung could not create the killer chance

It was the worst possible start for
the nervy home side, who saw Mbia head wide and then Diakite lash over
as they attempted to make immediate amends.

QPR did manage to eke out a leveller
10 minutes after going behind, though, as Mackie met a Diakite cross
with a superb looping header that beat Brad Guzan.

Benteke thought he had put Villa back
in front in the 20th minute but was denied by the offside flag, before
play returned to the other end.

Shaun Wright-Phillips was put through
one-on-one with Guzan by Esteban Granero's exquisite pass, although he
failed to find a way past the American.

Worry: Stephane Mbia was taken to hospital after sustaining a neck injury

The recalled winger came closer again
in the 32nd minute, outpacing Nathan Baker down the right and firing a
half volley that beat Guzan at his near post but hit the woodwork.

The match was entertaining but took a
nasty turn moments later when Mbia was involved in an off-the-ball
incident with Gabby Agbonlahor, which forced the Cameroonian off on a
stretcher after lengthy treatment.

Shaun Derry came on in his place and
helped QPR weather the storm for the remainder of the first half, with a
right-footed Agbonlahor effort the closest Villa came.

Park Ji-sung replaced Granero when the team re-emerged for a second half that took 10 minutes to warm up.

Going to ground: Clint Hill tries to dispossess Benteke

Thoughts Harry Redknapp (right) looks on with Joe Jordan

Not quite: Christian Benteke had a goal ruled out for offside

When it did, QPR were on top, with Wright-Phillips, Ryan Nelsen and Diakite all getting away shots in quick succession.

Guzan kept out the latter pair and
was again alert to deny substitute Park when put through on the left,
before Diakite limped off and was replaced by Junior Hoilett.

The tempo began to slow as
frustration creeped in and, after a tame Nelsen header went wide, Hill
almost hit the crossbar with an 80th-minute header from a an Adel
Taarabt corner.

Armand Traore tested Guzan as QPR
pushed for a winner, but Paul Lambert's side defended resolutely and
came close to a winner themselves through substitute Karim El Ahmadi.

Good point: Paul Lambert's side held on for the draw

Powerhouse: Benteke holds off Clint Hill

MBIA RECOVERING IN HOSPITAL

Recovering: Stephane Mbia

QPR midfielder Stephane Mbia was taken to hospital after a nasty clash of heads with Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor during this afternoon's match at Loftus Road.

The Villa man (right) immediately turned to tend to his fallen opponent after the accidental collision.

Mbia required lengthy on-field treatment, as the game was held up for over six minutes before he was carried off and taken to hospital.

The 26-year-old was replaced by Shaun Derry after 39 minutes and fans of both sides watched intently as he was carried off in a neck brace.

The Cameroon international tweeted from hospital as he convalesces after what appeared to be a serious injury.

He said: 'Actually in hospital ;( i want and i will come back soon as i can! #QPR'

Harry Redknapp won"t force out Queens Park Rangers" high earners

Posted on November 29, 2012 by adminsports

QPR's high earners determined to avoid being forced out as Redknapp's regime begins

UPDATED:

22:30 GMT, 28 November 2012

Queens Park Rangers’ highly paid stars are determined not to be forced out of the club by Harry Redknapp.

The manager, who drew his first game in charge 0-0 at Sunderland on Tuesday, has been told he must sell to generate cash for new arrivals.

A number of players who joined the club in the summer on big-money deals, including Esteban Granero, Julio Cesar, Jose Bosingwa and Park Ji-sung, may be part of a Loftus Road exodus.

Going nowhere: The likes of Esteban Granero (right) are determined not to be forced out by Harry Redknapp

But the feeling within the dressing room is that some of the players on big salaries will not be easy to sell or prepared to take a significant wage reduction to move elsewhere.

Redknapp has been told he must generate money from player sales if he wants to spend heavily on fresh talent.

The new boss may look to offload either Cesar or Robert Green as they recommence their battle for the No 1 jersey.

After starting the season as first choice, Green was dropped by sacked manager Mark Hughes after the arrival of Cesar from Inter Milan.

However, Redknapp, who tried to sign Green for Tottenham, is ready to give the ex-West Ham man a chance to revive his club career.

Green played 45 minutes in Tuesday’s 0-0 draw at Sunderland and team-mate Ryan Nelsen is backing the England keeper to give Cesar a run for his money.

Bore draw: Redknapp watched his side draw 0-0 with Sunderland in his first game in charge

Hope: Rob Green made a fantastic save to keep Rangers on terms at the Stadium of Light

‘Rob is a fantastic professional, he works really hard every day,’ said the New Zealander.

‘Obviously he has been disappointed, we all understand that, but he never lets his guard down in training. He puts in a good shift and that’s really important. It shows he is a good role model for the younger pros and younger keepers and everyone else.

‘I’d have no qualms with him being first choice, he is just as good (as Cesar). There will be absolutely no problems him being in goal for us.’

Mark Hughes responds to criticism from Martin Samuel: QPR must beat Southampton

Posted on November 17, 2012 by adminsports

EXCLUSIVE: After being criticised in these pages by Martin Samuel, the QPR manager responds in his own words… 'I'm angry, the whole club's angry, so now WE MUST WIN

UPDATED:

22:01 GMT, 16 November 2012

Make no mistake, Saturday's game with Southampton is massive for both sides and a potential launch pad for us in the Premier League.

Our chairman, Tony Fernandes, has called it a must-win game — and I can’t argue with that. As I said after the game at Stoke last week, we can’t keep simply playing well without being ruthless.

Only that ruthlessness will get us away from the foot of the table and only a consistent run of results is going to keep us out of trouble.

Under fire: Hughes side remain rooted to the bottom of the Barclays Premier League after 11 games

Martin Samuel on Mark Hughes

'Hughes was once tipped to follow Sir Alex into the United hotseat but now he's in a fight he can't afford to lose'

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

It would be easy to make excuses and point out the injuries to the likes of Andy Johnson, Fabio, Park Ji-sung, Jose Bosingwa, Armand Traore and Samba Diakite over the course of the season so far.

They’re not excuses but they have been a factor in where we find ourselves. The squad has been improved over the summer but we still can’t replace those guys like-for-like at the moment.

Through all that, we’ve shown we can play good football and that’s come out in games against Chelsea, Everton, Spurs and even at Stoke last weekend. Again, I come back to the need to be more ruthless when we’ve been on top.

Despite everything, if anybody thinks there’s a sense of panic among the players and the staff, they’d be wrong. There is a great potential at this club and we have to start realising that potential as soon as possible.

No joy: QPR have lost seven and drawn four of their league fixtures despite the number of new additions this summer

The players are angry. Angry they’ve
not got the results they think their football deserves. Angry they’ve
let down the fans, who’ve been superb. Angry the club is in this
position.

If there
wasn’t that anger there, I’d be worried. As a manager, you want the
players to have that fire, not to be moping around feeling sorry for
themselves. If that was the mood around the training ground, then I
would be worried and we’d be in trouble.

As
I said, I’m not panicking. Of course I’m upset, only a fool wouldn’t be
upset when you get to November and you are in the relegation zone and
there’s nothing in the victory column, no three points to our name.

But I’ve been here before when I
first took charge at Blackburn. We pulled out of that poor situation
and emerged a stronger group and a stronger club. That taught me time,
talent and hard work always pay off. I know we have all of those
qualities at Rangers. Last season when I arrived at Loftus Road it was
tough. We were charged by Tony and the board with saving QPR from
relegation and that’s what we did.

Yes,
it was tight but the home wins against the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool
and Stoke towards the end of the season were the key to our escape.
That’s the kind of form at Loftus Road we have to re-discover. Gritty,
tough, hard- working and disciplined, those are the qualities which will
see us right.

I read Martin Samuel’s column in these pages on Wednesday. I respect Martin’s views but if I had taken to heart half the things that have been said or written about me by him and others over the years, I would have walked away from football before I’d even started.

He talked about my track record and reputation being tarnished beyond repair by QPR’s current position. Firstly, it’s not about me at this stage, it’s about the players, my staff, the fans and the board. It’s about QPR. If I worried about my own reputation or about my ego being damaged, I wouldn’t have survived in football as a player or a manager for as long as I have.

Secondly, I truly believe every club I’ve ever managed I’ve left in a stronger position than when I arrived.

At Blackburn, we saw the club clear of relegation, finished sixth in my second season, 10th the next year and seventh in my final season. We also reached an FA Cup semi-final and regularly beat the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal.

When I arrived at Manchester City, the club wasn’t in anything like a sound financial state and in my first month we were tasked with selling to raise cash.

Ruthless: Hughes is angry his team have dominated games but failed to win them

Martin Samuel's column last Wednesday

But we oversaw a huge change in
structure and culture once Sheik Mansour arrived and leaving them with
the likes of Vincent Kompany and so many others remains something I take
real pride in.

I was only at Fulham a year but we
identified talent such as Mousa Dembele who they sold for a club record
in the summer at a huge profit as well as finishing eighth and being
profitable.

None of
this buys QPR three points, I know that. But what it does do is
underline the work I and my staff put in at different clubs and why
there is still so much self-belief at QPR.

With
the help of Tony and the shareholders — who’ve been nothing short of
magnificent in their support — I feel QPR are a stronger, better club
than it was when we arrived.

There’s been a huge overhaul of the
scouting structure and we’re identifying top-class talent from across
Europe, bringing in players of real pedigree and character.

The academy has made huge strides in the nine months we’ve been here and I honestly believe QPR will never be in a position where they nurture somebody like Raheem Sterling but lose him to Liverpool for just 500,000.

As one of the board said to me the other day, we’re not building something at QPR for six weeks or six months, the work we’re doing here will see the club survive and thrive for the next six years and beyond.

Obviously what counts more than anything, though, is getting that elusive first win against Southampton today. That’s what matters, that’s what will lift the whole club and the supporters.

The belief is there. The character is there. The determination is there. We know we’re better than the league table tells us.

We just have to start proving it.

Must-win: Hughes is under massive pressure to secure to secure the first three points of the season against the Saints

The day Manchester United beat Arsenal 8-2

Posted on November 3, 2012 by adminsports

The day United hit Arsenal for eight: Surely it can't be as easy as this for Fergie's men again…

UPDATED:

00:36 GMT, 3 November 2012

[headerlinks]

Last season Manchester United against Arsenal produced one of the most astonishing results in Premier League history.

Arsenal travelled to Old Trafford with a host of injuries, but nobody could have predicted what was to follow.

In a thrilling display of attacking football, United tore apart a weakened Arsenal defence, scoring eight goals seemingly at will. Here are the reactions of the main men from that remarkable day.

What a day: United scored an amazing eight goals against Arsenal last season

ARSENE WENGER

You
feel humiliated when you concede eight goals. It was a terrible day for
us, it was a combination of an under-strength team and weakness. We
collapsed physically in the second half. It’s terribly painful. We were
short in some areas, that’s for sure. They have class too and they
punished
us, but this game was not an 8-2. It was a humiliating defeat, it hurts very much but it’s not the end of the season.

SIR ALEX FERGUSON

When you play Arsenal you don’t expect to be scoring these amount of goals, you expect a difficult game. We scored fantastic goals, really good quality goals. You can’t just say the opposition was weakened — it was just a fantastic quality of goals.

Six of the best: Ji-Sung Park scores United's sixth goal against Arsenal

ASHLEY YOUNG

We
were terrific. We found an Arsenal team who weren’t so good on the day
and we’ve punished them. We go forward at pace and we’re always looking
to create chances from the first minute right to the end.

WAYNE ROONEY

The performance today was incredible and we fully deserved the result. Every time we play Arsenal we have a go at them and score goals. They have got a few players out but take nothing away from our performance today. I thought it was brilliant.

ROBIN VAN PERSIE

We gave our maximum but it was clearly not good enough. United were much better and they punished us hard. If you look at the facts it’s just simply not good enough.

A day to remember: Wayne Rooney scores United's fourth goal

BACARY SAGNA

To see Arsenal concede eight goals was not easy because it is hard playing in those kinds of games. Many players were missing, some were
starting for the first time and it was Manchester United. We are bouncing
back from that game and are learning a lot from it.

THEO WALCOTT

The result against United hurt a lot. Seeing the players go through that, no player wants to be part of that. As soon as we start getting a good run, then you’ll see the true Arsenal come back.

Frustration: Arsene Wenger watched his side beaten heavily at Old Trafford last season

Tony Fernandes to attend Arsenal v Queens Park Rangers match

Posted on October 22, 2012 by adminsports

Fernandes to show public backing for Hughes as QPR chairman prepares to attend Arsenal clash

UPDATED:

22:10 GMT, 21 October 2012

After monitoring QPR's progress from Malaysia, Tony Fernandes will make a special trip to London for Saturday's game with Arsenal.

He communicates with Mark Hughes on most days, and his flying visit will give him the chance to show some public support for his manager.

QPR's flamboyant chairman expected a better start to the season after comparing the fortunes of his team to the grid of a Formula One race.

Stuck in first gear: Queens Park Rangers have yet to win a game in the Premier League this season

As the owner of Caterham F1, he knows all about competition. Right now, his team are last and Fernandes does not like being at the back.

The real race is run at the top, where teams such as Everton have their noses in front and are making a romantic play for the Champions League.

After eight false starts in the Barclays Premier League, QPR have coughed, spluttered and failed to turn the corner.

Even the editor of QPR's matchday programme is picking up on the fear, leaving out the league table for Sunday's edition after Rangers picked up two points in their opening seven matches.

They are still last, despite five changes from the team beaten 3-2 at West Bromwich on October 6.

The engine had been revving at the start of the season when Rangers recruited 12 new players and pushed 19 in the direction of rival teams.

There will always be a period of adjustment, particularly with a blend of players who arrived to earn big bucks at Loftus Road.

Fernandes has piled heavy-duty cash into the contracts for Julio Cesar, Samba Diakite, Park Ji-Sung, Esteban Granero, Jose Bosingwa, Junior Hoilett and Bobby Zamora.

For that, he expects a substantial return, but Cesar is still settling in after his high-profile move on loan from Inter Milan.

He allowed Ricardo Vaz Te's deflected effort to beat him in the previous home game against West Ham, and the Brazil keeper should have done better with Sylvain Distin's header.

Coming home: Owner Tony Fernandes will travel to London to watch his QPR side face Arsenal on Saturday

It is taking time, a precious commodity in an era when all that counts for clubs such as QPR is staying in the Premier League.

They have undergone major surgery, refurbishing the club's training ground at Harlington and giving the offices at their west London stadium a facelift.

If there are doubts beginning to creep in about Hughes, then the record of David Moyes should give Fernandes some comfort.

As manager of a team that once competed for league titles, Moyes hasn't always been chasing the Champions League.

Misfiring: The likes of Bobby Zamora (centre) have failed to impress so far this season

He finished 15th in his first season at Goodison Park (2001-02) and narrowly escaped relegation when they ended the 2003-04 season one place above the drop.

But he has turned Everton into a formidable team, finishing in the top half of the table in each of the last six seasons.

The challenge for Moyes is to turn them into Champions League material, by finishing in the top four.

The opposition is taking Moyes seriously – Brendan Rodgers made the trip south ahead of Sunday's Merseyside derby.

It has taken on added significance as Everton's manager becomes accustomed to questions about his team's top-four potential.

He wants them to be judged after 10 Premier League games, but Rodgers was making his own assessments in the directors' box on Sunday.

Liverpool's manager will have been surprised by Moyes' decision to tuck Steven Pienaar inside and sacrifice his electrifying partnership with Leighton Baines down the left.

Pienaar was sent off, harshly, for a second yellow card in the second half, and will miss the visit of Liverpool. It's a big game for both teams, but Moyes is pleased with his position on the grid.

Not again: Fernandes will show his public backing for manager Mark Hughes (right) on Saturday

Ryan Nelson backs QPR to get back to winning ways

Posted on September 29, 2012 by adminsports

Nelson backs QPR to get back to winning ways despite slow start

UPDATED:

12:53 GMT, 29 September 2012

Ryan Nelsen thinks QPR will trigger a monsoon of victories if they pick up their first Barclays Premier League win of the season at West Ham on Monday.

Hopes were high for QPR this summer after Mark Hughes brought in 10 players including Esteban Granero, Julio Cesar and Park Ji-Sung, but the Londoners are still searching for their first league win of the season after five games.

Defeats against Swansea, Manchester City and Tottenham, and draws against Chelsea and Norwich, have left the west London outfit second from bottom of the table and they will sink to the foot of the pile if Reading draw against Newcastle on Saturday.

Confident: Ryan Nelson (right) believes QPR can return to winning ways

Assistant manager Mark Bowen said the players and staff at Loftus Road had become highly frustrated at their 'ridiculous' league position given the quality of the squad, but Nelsen is refusing to panic.

The New Zealand defender, signed on a free transfer after being released by Tottenham in the summer, is confident that it is only a matter of time before the wins start rolling in for the club.

'With the characters we have in the dressing room, it is only a matter of time (before we get the win) and when one happens it will be like a monsoon after that,' Nelsen told QPR's London call-in.

'We are giving everything, the management are giving everything and the players are giving everything. We just need that win to get the monkey off the back.'

Rangers missed a good chance to raise their spirits on Wednesday night when they were knocked out of the Capital One Cup at home by fellow strugglers Reading.

Party time: Reading celebrate their Capital One Cup win over QPR

Although Granero and Alejandro Faurlin have struck up a good understanding in the centre of midfield, it is clear that the Hoops are still a work in progress in other areas of the team, particularly in defence.

Nelsen insists everyone must be patient, however, considering the vast number of arrivals and departures over the summer.

He said: 'The manager has a way he wants to play and it's been proven for many years that it's a very successful one.

'It just takes time for players to come in to it and kind of get in to the mould of how he wants us to play. That's life.

'Nothing comes easy. You just have to keep going and do the right things as we have been doing. You are going to have your ups and downs in a season.

Down and out: QPR have yet to register a win in the Premier League

'Obviously the Reading game was a big disappointment but that happens. It's pretty ruthless in the cup competitions and the league.'

Some fans have started to worry about their club's future, but Nelsen insists the supporters must continue to back the team.

'Monday's game is a London derby so we will need the fans right behind us,' the 34-year-old said.

'We are obviously looking forward to it and it really can't come quick enough.'

Anton Ferdinand is out with a hamstring problem, so Nelsen is likely to continue alongside either Clint Hill or Stephane Mbia in defence.

QPR are hopeful that Adel Taarabt will feature after missing the last two games with a hamstring problem and Faurlin should also be fit despite suffering a dead leg in midweek.

QPR to produce 3D match day programme

Posted on September 24, 2012 by adminsports

QPR take things into a new dimension with 3D programme

UPDATED:

11:29 GMT, 24 September 2012

QPR may have maintained their Premier League status by the skin of their teeth last season – but now it seems they are pushing on and ready to enter a new dimension. The third dimension to be exact.

The Loftus Road club are set to produce a 3D programme for their London derby with West Ham on October 1, as they go in search of their first league win of the season.

The eye popping matchday magazine will be a first in the Premier League but it has been done before by three other teams, including Championship side Millwall.

Eye popping: The QPR players Nedum Onuoha, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Ryan Nelsen get a first look at the one-off programme

Fans buying the programme will be given a pair of 3D glasses to read the 84 page publication, of which 75 per cent will have the ground breaking special effects.

Hoops editor Ian Taylor said: ‘Our new-look matchday programme has been tremendously well-received by the fans this season, but we wanted to try something different and forward-thinking and the result is a 3D programme of real substance and style.

Impressive stuff: Park Ji-Sung enjoys the programme

Jamie Mackie

Impressive stuff: Park Ji-Sung and Jamie Mackie take a look at the new programme

‘The publications team at QPR have worked around the clock in the last few weeks and alongside O-Publishing who have been first-class from a design perspective, we're really happy with the final product.’

QPR striker and former West Ham forward Bobby Zamora will be featured in the one off programme in the Q&A feature.

P.S…

Have Spurs taken an even bigger leap forward with their publication You may need special glasses to read the R’s 3D programme, but Tottenham have gone a stage further by producing an augmented reality compatible shirt.

Fans with smartphone or tablet are able to access special video features when they point their device at the club’s shirt or badge.

Club sponsor Aurasma have produced a mobile app that allows fans to access match highlights and exclusive interviews when their device is pointed at the shirt in the programme.

Manchester United"s recent jinx at Anfield

Posted on September 22, 2012 by adminsports

Liverpool misery for Fergie! Manchester United's recent jinx at Anfield

PUBLISHED:

20:40 GMT, 21 September 2012

UPDATED:

22:00 GMT, 21 September 2012

LIVERPOOL 2 MAN UTD 1 (September 13, 2008. Premier League)

Ryan Babel's strike earned Rafa Benitez a first League win over United. Carlos Tevez struck early to put the away side ahead but Liverpool levelled through a Wes Brown own goal and Nemanja Vidic saw red.

Delight: Liverpool celebrate Ryan Babel's winner in 2008

LIVERPOOL 2 MAN UTD 0 (October 25, 2009. Premier League)

In an explosive match, both Javier Mascherano and Vidic were sent off, while a rocket from Fernando Torres opened the scoring and substitute David Ngog won the game for Liverpool.

LIVERPOOL 3 MAN UTD 1 (March 6, 2011. Premier League)

Dirk Kuyt struck the first hat-trick for Liverpool against United since Peter Beardsley in 1990 – and had Luis Suarez to thank for providing three assists. Javier Hernandez hit an injury-time consolation.

Deadly: Dirk Kuyt celebrates his third goal against United

LIVERPOOL 1 MAN UTD 1 (October 15, 2011. Premier League)

With Wayne Rooney dropped to the bench, another late goal altered the outcome – but this time in United's favour. Steven Gerrard put Liverpool in front with a 68th-minute free-kick but Hernandez's close-range header secured a point.

LIVERPOOL 2 MAN UTD 1 (January 28, 2012. FA Cup)

This fourth-round tie looked set for a replay after first-half goals from Daniel Agger and Park Ji-sung. But with two minutes left, Kuyt latched on to Andy Carroll's flick-on to hit the winner in front of a jubilant Kop.

John Terry labelled "embarrassing" by Ryan Nelsen

Posted on September 17, 2012 by adminsports

No love lost: Terry snubbed in handshake row then Nelsen labels him 'embarrassing'

UPDATED:

21:30 GMT, 16 September 2012

Publicly snubbed by two Queens Park Rangers players and taunted relentlessly by their fans, John Terry departed Loftus Road amid accusations he had collapsed in an ‘embarrassing’ attempt to win a penalty.

Ryan Nelsen took issue with the Chelsea captain after Roberto Di Matteo had claimed a first-half tussle between the pair was ‘a 100 per cent, stonewall penalty’ missed by referee Andre Marriner.

The snub: Anton Ferdinand ignores John Terry's handshake

‘I’m really surprised Roberto said
that,’ said Nelsen. ‘He was nowhere near the ball, was never going to
win it, so he just fell down. He was just trying to get a penalty.

‘I was holding him, of course, but he just fell down. He does it to everybody in their box. I said to him: “That was a bit embarrassing” and he laughed when he ran off.

‘If the referee gives that, it’s ridiculous. If you really know the game, that’s never a penalty. It happens all the time.’

It is one more insult in an acrimonious feud between these London neighbours which has simmered since October, when Terry was accused of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand, charged and then cleared in court. An FA case is now pending and the mood has not improved.

Ferdinand and Rangers captain Park Ji-sung refused to shake hands with Terry. Ferdinand also chose not to shake the hand of Ashley Cole, who gave evidence in the court case in July. Cole added to the poisonous atmosphere by turning away and spitting after Ferdinand’s snub.

The move by Park, a former Manchester
United team-mate of Anton’s brother Rio, adds to the feeling that United
players may follow suit when they visit Stamford Bridge next month.

Rangers boss Mark Hughes repeated his
call for the entire handshake parade to be scrapped but the Premier
League are determined to see it continue.

The 'penalty': Terry wanted a spot-kick after being manhandled by Ryan Nelsen

The injury: QPR fans jeer Terry after he picked up a knock

MATCH FACTS

QPR (4-4-2): Julio Cesar 7; Bosingwa 7, Ferdinand 7, Nelsen 8, Fabio 5 (Onuoha 20min, 6); Wright-Phillips 6 (Cisse 70, 6), Faurlin 7, Granero 7, Park 6; Zamora 5, Johnson 5 (Mackie 32, 6).

Subs not used: Green, Taarabt, Dyer, Hoilett.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech 6; Ivanovic 6, Luiz 7, Terry 7, Cole 6; Mikel 6, Lampard 6; Ramires 6, Hazard 6, Bertrand 6 (Moses 58, 6); Torres 5 (Sturridge 81).

Subs not used: Turnbull, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Romeu, Oscar.

Booked: Ramires, Bertrand.

Man of the match: Ryan Nelsen.

Referee: Andre Marriner 5.

Attendance: 18,271.

Next: Tottenham v QPR (PL, Sunday), Chelsea v Juventus (CL, Wednesday).

‘I thought he was fantastic, with all unnecessary pressure on him. To put in a performance like he did showed the character of the man.’

Ferdinand, who tweaked a hamstring late
in the goalless draw, Terry and Nelsen were outstanding. The latter
quashing the threat of Fernando Torres, who stormed down the tunnel when
he was replaced.

It raised questions about Chelsea’s
wisdom of having only one established striker, although Daniel Sturridge
looked sharp when he replaced the Spaniard.

‘Daniel
will get chances to play and more chances in the middle,’ said Di
Matteo. As for Torres, he added: ‘It’s not a problem. We move on from
this.’

QPR fear Andy Johnson may have suffered a serious knee injury in what seemed an innocuous clash with Eden Hazard.

Nelsen said: ‘I don’t think anybody in
Anton’s situation would have done it. He just said: “This is my personal
thing, whatever you guys (want to) do, do it”.

On and on: Terry's row with Ferdinand does not look set to stop

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.

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