QPR Keep The Wolves From The Door...

QPR 1-0 Wolves

A stunning 20-yard strike from Martin Rowlands earned QPR a much deserved victory over Championship leaders Wolves.



It seems hard to believe that just 2 weeks ago, I was writing about a diabolical R's showing away at Watford - and now, three games and seven points later - and writing about an awesome performance against the runaway league leaders. It just shows what a funny old game football can be.

Well, with the game being selected as the evening kick off by Sky, it meant a late start to the proceedings and what with Wolves being unbeaten in their last nine games, there seemed little confidence around the ground. However, the top teams coming to Loftus Road often brings the best out of the R's and it was most certainly the case today.

Rangers had much the better of the first half and could and maybe, should have been three up at the break. Blackstock, Helguson and Agyemang all had good chances. Despite going close when David Jones curled narrowly wide from a cleverly-worked free-kick, Wolves were fortunate to reach the interval on level terms.

Onto the second half and Wolves again relied on Hennessy to prevent them falling behind just after the break when he blocked Helguson's shot with his legs, just after the break. The visitors then started to come into the game, but found Radek Cerny in superb form once again in the R's goal, saving well from Jones and Ebanks-Blake. But just past the hour, Loftus Road erupted as Rangers went ahead - when Rowlands scored with a stunning 20-yard effort that flew over Hennessy before dipping into the net.

As you would have expected from a team at the top of the league, Wolves then came at Rangers and Cerny had to produce two more world class saves, both from Sam Vokes efforts. Rangers defended suprebly as the clock ticked down, but nearly made the game safe in stoppage time when Samuel Di Carmine shot narrowly wide as Rangers caught Wolves on the break.

QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Stewart, Mahon, Blackstock (Cook 27) (Di Carmine 89), Agyemang, Gorkss, Rowlands, Ramage, Ephraim, Helguson (Tommasi 77). Subs: Cole, Borrowdale

Lofty's Man of the Match - so many contenders for this one and it's hard to fault any of the players after that performance. Agyemang, Helguson and Rowlands were excellent and there were awesome performances from Cerny, Stewart and Gorkss. Hard to call a man of the match from the last three, but Kaspars Gorkss JUST shades it for me!

There really isn't much more I can add to this. It was an awesome performance from QPR and one of the best, if not THE best of the season so far and Watford now seems a million miles away. I am also happy that the Sky audience got to see it too.

And finally, the Soup Watch. As mentioned in the Charlton report, the soup sold at the bagel bar in the Lower Loft was simply, superb! - as it didn't let us down again today with myself and PK sampling the excellent Minestrone at half time. On the subject of the catering, Corp has insisted that I mentioned the Swordfish pasta that was served in the QPR Restaurant today - and yes, he was in Corporate Hospitality again!!! ;o)