Sunday 26th December 2010
Npower Football League Championship
Loftus Road Stadium
Referee: P T Crossley
Attendance: 15963
Queens Park Rangers 4-0 Swansea City
By The Godfather

QPR starting line-up: Kenny, Hill, Derry, Taraabt (Rowlands 84), Helguson (Hulse 86), Faurlin, Mackie, Gorkss, Walker, Connolly, Smith (Orr 20).

Swansea City starting line-up: De Vries, Williams, Tate, Pratley, Beattie (Easter 71), Dyer (Taylor 20), Monk, Sinclair, Rangel, Allen, Agustien (Dobbie 71).

Following two straight defeats, Queens Park Rangers managed to get their promotion bid back on track on Boxing Day, thrashing rivals, Swansea City, by four goals to nil. Once again, Adel Taraabt produced a superb performance, scoring twice and setting up the other goals. Two red cards for each team early in the first half meant that this was a very open and exciting encounter, with QPR managing to adapt to the situation very effectively indeed.

In truth, Swansea probably did not deserve to lose so heavily, having carved out plenty of opportunities in the first half. However, after the second goal, the Swans players seemed to give up on the match, something that will have concerned Brendan Rodgers. As a consequence, Rangers were able to extend their lead even further and could have netted five or six had it not been for a couple of fantastic stops by Dorus De Vries.

Following those two disappointing results against Watford and Leeds, Warnock decided to replace Hulse with Helguson, a decision that would prove to be a fruitful one. In my view, this was one of Heidar’s best performances so far this season, being a thorn in Swansea’s side throughout with his aerial ability. Mackie and Smith retained their positions on the flanks, with Taraabt operating in a ‘free’ role. Derry and Faurlin occupied central midfield, whilst the back four consisted of Hill, Gorkss, Connolly and Walker. Paddy Kenny kept the goalkeeping place.

The match began in a rather scrappy fashion, with City starting the stronger of the two teams. With just four minutes on the clock, Sinclair received the ball in the penalty area from a corner and unleashed a low strike at goal, forcing Kenny into a decent save at his right-hand post.

At the other end, QPR forced a half-chance of their own when Heidar Helguson met Adel Taraabt’s free kick. The Icelandic’s header almost bounced over De Vries and into the back of the net, but the goalkeeper was able to tip it over his crossbar.

Despite Swansea enjoying the majority of possession in the opening stages, it was Queens Park Rangers who broke the deadlock in the 16th minute. Adel Taraabt picked up possession on the left wing and cut inside, twisting and turning past several defenders, before playing the ball across to Jamie Mackie on the edge of the penalty area. Having not scored since September, the Scot was determined to prove his critics wrong and did so tremendously, drilling into the bottom corner of the net.

In the 19th minute, the game took a dramatic turn when Kyle Walker embarked upon a superb run up the pitch. Just as he was about to shoot on goal, the Tottenham loanee was cynically fouled by Tate, which provoked a brawl involving seven or eight players. The TV highlights showed Tate to have lifted his fists towards Mackie, before Clint Hill tried to separate the two men. The referee correctly gave Tate his marching orders, only then to harshly send off Hill. Neil Warnock has since stated that he intends to appeal against the decision: hopefully Mr Crossley will withdraw the red card. From the resultant free-kick, Taraabt forced De Vries into a good save, cleverly chipping the ball towards the top corner and coming very close to netting a second goal.

Both managers responded to the decision with substitutions. Warnock chose to introduce Bradley Orr at the expense of Tommy Smith, whilst Rodgers replaced Dyer with Taylor. With Walker and Orr now occupying the fullback spots, QPR now posed a serious threat going forward on both flanks. In addition, the game was now far more open, meaning that the likes of Taraabt had more space and time to influence proceedings.

The away team should have equalised in the 27th minute. Rangel pounced on a long-ball inside the penalty area. Under little pressure, the Spaniard could only send his half volley over Kenny’s crossbar. A few minutes later, Craig Beattie did well to cut inside from the left-hand side, curling his effort inches wide. However, in general, QPR were coping well with Swansea’s frontline, a huge improvement on the previous defensive performances.

The final opportunity of the half fell to the home side and, frankly, Heidar Helguson really should have doubled the advantage. Once again, it was Taraabt who was the provider, producing a whipped cross which flashed across the penalty area. With the goalkeeper flat-footed, the Icelandic sent his diving header agonisingly wide of the target.

Queens Park Rangers 1-0 Swansea City

QPR dominated the second half and immediately put the Swans on the back-foot, with the Rs almost scoring just a few minutes after the break. More sublime skill from Taraabt allowed him to progress into the penalty area and find Kyle Walker. To my despair, the Tottenham loanee’s effort was blocked out for a corner.

In the 61st minute, the Rs did finally double their lead, thanks to more excellent play from the Moroccan. Following a flicked header from Helguson, Taraabt received the ball inside the penalty area and, as he skipped past Ashley Williams, he fell to the floor dramatically. Without hesitation, Mr Crossley pointed to the spot. Helguson took the spot-kick, coolly slotting it into the bottom corner, sending the goalkeeper in the wrong direction in the process.

At this point, Swansea City collapsed, something that made me wonder whether Rodgers’ side lacks team spirit. It seemed only a matter of time before the Rs would add to their lead and they did so eight minutes later. Once again, Helguson flicked the ball on to Adel Taraabt, who managed to guide his shot underneath De Vries and into the back of the net. The Moroccan had scuffed his effort a little and the goalkeeper probably should have done better. Nevertheless, Taraabt did well to maintain his composure in front of goal.

The Moroccan then missed from two yards out! Helguson pounced on a through-pass, moved into the penalty area and drove his effort towards the bottom corner, forcing De Vries into making a diving save. He could only push it into the path of Taraabt, who smashed it towards goal. But De Vries was able to scramble across his goalline and palm it to safety.

Then, in the 80th minute, Taraabt scored another wonder-goal which he can add to his ever-growing collection. Picking up the ball 30 yards out, the Moroccan skilfully nutmegged Allen, before curling a beautiful strike into the bottom corner. De Vries did manage to get a touch to the ball, but could not prevent Taraabt from notching his second of the afternoon.

At this stage Martin Rowlands was introduced at the expense of Adel Taraabt, who deservedly received a standing ovation from the Loftus Road crowd. Although he was only on the pitch for ten minutes or so, Rowlands looked as though he had made a full recovery from his injury, getting ‘stuck in’ and at one point attempting a long-range effort at goal.

In stoppage time, QPR could have added a fifth goal. For the second time in the match, Kyle Walker picked up the ball in his own half and charged forward, beating three or four players, eventually progressing into the penalty area and finding substitute, Rob Hulse. However, the former Derby County man's shot was well saved by De Vries.

Full-time scoreline: Queens Park Rangers 4-0 Swansea City

Man of the match: Adel Taraabt - It has to be Taraabt. Scored two and created the other goals. I just hope that he doesn't leave the club during the January transfer window!