Saturday 27th November 2010
Loftus Road Stadium
Npower Football League Championship
Referee: K Friend
Attendance: 17316
Queens Park Rangers 2-1 Cardiff City
By The Godfather

Queens Park Rangers starting line-up: Kenny, Hill, Derry, Taraabt (Clarke 87), Faurlin, Mackie (Agyemang 89), Gorkss, Walker, Connolly, Hulse, Smith (Hall 90).

Cardiff City starting line-up: Heaton, McNaughton, Naylor, Hudson, Blake, Bellamy, Bothroyd, Olofinjana, Drinkwater (Koumas 57), Burke (Chopra 80), Whittingham.

In probably the most entertaining match of the season so far, Queens Park Rangers extended their lead at the top of the table to five points over their opponents, Cardiff City. This was a clash between two aggressive and pacey teams, both of which boast some of the best attacking talent in the division. Although Cardiff took the lead through Craig Bellamy’s controversial goal, the Rs soon levelled thanks to Kaspars Gorkss’ header. After the break, yet another wonder goal from Adel Taraabt sealed the three points.

I have read a number of match reports in the press and I have to say that I was shocked by a Guardian journalist’s claim that Cardiff “looked classier” than Neil Warnock’s side. The Bluebirds certainly looked a decent team, with a fantastic frontline, but I thought that their defence was mediocre to say the very least. Whilst, in general, Gorkss and Connolly coped with Bellamy and Bothroyd very well indeed, City’s defenders were given a torrid time by Hulse and Taraabt. Despite the Football League Show’s highlights suggesting that the Super Hoops were clinging on to their lead, Queens Park Rangers actually dominated the second half and thoroughly deserved their victory.

Warnock made a couple of changes to his team selection, choosing what is, in my view, QPR’s strongest starting eleven. Hulse took up the attacking position, supported by Mackie and Smith on the flanks. Derry and Faurlin occupied central midfield, whilst the defence consisted of Walker, Gorkss, Connolly and Hill. Kenny retained his place in goal. Fitz Hall and Leon Clarke, two players who did not impress last Saturday against Preston North End, were dropped to the substitutes’ bench.

As soon as I got into Loftus Road, I could feel the tension. Of course, over the last ten years a rivalry has developed between these two sides, with Cardiff having beaten Queens Park Rangers in the 2003 Second Division Play-Off Final. This, combined with the importance of the game in the promotion race, made for an electric atmosphere inside the ground.

It would be fair to say that Cardiff started the game the stronger of the two sides. I was particularly impressed with winger, Chris Burke, who had replaced Michael Chopra in the starting line-up. He provided Clint Hill with a very stern test throughout and, with just a few minutes on the clock, almost set up the opening goal. Racing down the right-flank, he beat Hill and sent a dangerous low cross into the penalty area. Fortunately, Paddy Kenny was able to gather the ball and clear to safety.

At the other end, Queens Park Rangers responded almost immediately. Jamie Mackie, who has not scored for quite some time, came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock. The former Plymouth Argyle forward received the ball 25 yards out, cut inside and curled a powerful shot just wide of Tom Heaton’s right-hand post. Already, this match was shaping up to be a very exciting, end-to-end affair.

Then, disaster struck for Queens Park Rangers. In the opening minutes of the game, I had noticed that some of the Super Hoops’ players seemed a little nervous on the ball, which was perhaps to be expected in a match of this importance. In the 13th minute, Kaspars Gorkss, who has been so solid for the Rs this season, gained possession in his own half and slipped, allowing Jay Bothroyd to run through on goal. Bothroyd then picked out Bellamy, who appeared to be in an offside position. The Welsh international managed to slot the ball past Paddy Kenny and into the back of the net, although the Rangers keeper had got a touch. This provoked jubilant celebrations from the away supporters, a number of whom ran on the pitch as if the game had already been won. Oh how funny it was when, only five minutes later, Queens Park Rangers equalised.

Tommy Smith received the ball on the left-hand side and, under pressure from the fullback, managed to curve a beautiful cross into the penalty area. Kaspars Gorkss, totally unmarked, sent a superb header into the bottom corner of the net, leaving Tom Heaton with no chance. What a fantastic way for the Latvian to redeem himself following his earlier mistake.

At this point, the sight of Michael Chopra abusing a member of the home crowd momentarily distracted me. The Cardiff striker had been warming up on the touchline and was apparently unable to deal with comments directed at him from the Paddocks. I have to say, given Chopra’s reputation, I was not particularly surprised to see such a pathetic reaction.

To the away side’s credit, they finished the first half very strongly, almost scoring in the 33rd minute. Taraabt, as he does on occasions, lost the ball unnecessarily in the opposition’s half, allowing the Bluebirds to launch a swift counter-attack. Bothroyd stormed down the right flank and into the penalty area, brushing off a challenge from Gorkss. Fortunately, Paddy Kenny raced off his line and pulled off a superb save.

Half-time scoreline: Queens Park Rangers 1-1 Cardiff City

After the way in which Cardiff had finished the first half, I was a little concerned that the Rs defence would collapse after thre break under pressure from the likes of Bothroyd and Bellamy. In fact, Rangers controlled the majority of the second half, keeping possession effectively and eventually unlocking the Bluebirds’ defence.

It took until the 65th minute for the first opportunity to be carved out. Hulse, who produced a very hard-working performance up front, headed inches wide of the post from Taraabt’s cross. After his goal against Preston, Hulse seems to be gaining in confidence and I am sure that he will prove to be an asset to the squad.

Mackie then forced an incredible save from the Cardiff goalkeeper, Tom Heaton. Rangers fans might remember Heaton from his recent loan spell at Loftus Road, during which he pulled off a string of excellent saves in a cup match against Chelsea. Once again, he was on form. Mackie picked up the ball 25 yards out and smashed it towards the top corner of the net, forcing Heaton into pushing it over the bar.

In the 68th minute, Warnock’s men deservedly took the lead through another piece of magnificent skill from Adel Taraabt. Derry’s high ball found the Moroccan on the right flank. Sprinting past the fullback, he progressed into the penalty area, beat another defender with a series of step-overs and, from a tight angle, managed to fire it into the top corner. Interestingly, as soon as he had scored, Taraabt ran over to Warnock and his coaching staff to celebrate, an indicator of the respect the Moroccan has for his manager.

Minutes later, Chris Burke almost equalised for the away team, but was denied by a fantastic, albeit unintentional, save from Paddy Kenny. The skilful winger cut inside from the right flank and unleashed a powerful drive towards goal, which took a deflection and slammed against the QPR goalkeeper’s face.

In the final ten minutes, Cardiff really did pile the pressure on and were perhaps unfortunate not to win a penalty when Bothroyd appeared to be tripped in the penalty area by Matthew Connolly. However, Kevin Friend waved away the appeals, much to the frustration of the Bluebirds supporters behind the goal.

Then, with four minutes of extra time added on by the referee, Queens Park Rangers had a golden opportunity to score a third thanks to a move involving all three substitutes (Agyemang, Clarke and Hall). Agyemang raced down the right flank and set up Clarke with an excellent through pass. As he ran into the penalty area, Leon appeared to be fouled by a Bluebirds defender, but Mr Friend did not award a penalty. The ball then fell to Fitz Hall, whose low effort was cleared off the line.

Full-time scoreline: Queens Park Rangers 2-1 Cardiff City

Conclusion

Having listened to Dave Jones’ post-match interview, the words “sore loser” do spring to mind. He moaned about the referee’s failure to award Bothroyd a penalty, despite that Cardiff’s goal was quite possibly offside and Rangers should have been given a spot-kick in the final minute.

In truth, contrary to the Guardian’s match report, Queens Park Rangers did deserve to win this match. Although Cardiff created a number of chances, the Super Hoops dominated possession and controlled much of the second half. Once again, I felt that every player contributed to the victory, particularly the back four, Adel Taraabt and Rob Hulse.

Man of the match: Rob Hulse – Thought he played superbly on Saturday afternoon. Made some excellent runs and won the aerial battle with the Cardiff City defenders. Other contenders for the award include Adel Taraabt and Paddy Kenny.