Believe...
QPR 2-1 Palace
A double from Heidar Helguson, helped Rangers extend their lead at the Top of the Championship to 10 points, Crystal Palace being the R's latest Loftus Road victims...
With the events, talk and speculation off the pitch during the week, it seems an age since the Millwall defeat and it was dicussed as the gang descended on the upstairs bar of the Springbok once again for our pre match, inluding a surprise and very welcome visit from my friend Laura and Tony and it was great to spend some time and have a decent catch up with them both. The bouncers, although it is hardly their fault, where thankfully a bit more laid back this week with the new anti-drinking outside rule and we were eventually shuffled away from the balcony at 2.45 and we made our way into another sold out Loftus Road.
Well, despite the scoreline, the R's dominated the match and were gunning straight for Palace from the off . Adel Taarabt looked like he was definitely in the mood and the first chance of them match fell to the Moroccan, who fired just wide from 25 yards out. It wasn't long before the R's dominance turned into a goal and on 20 minutes, we were deservedly in front - Taarabt received the ball on the edge of the box and shot across the face of the goal and Helguson was on hand to slide in his 11th goal of the season at the back post. For the Statistician's amongst you, it was Taarabt's 19th assist of the season, 9 more than any other Championship player.
Chances continued to come for Rangers with Taarabt again testing Speroni and Helguson heading Smith's cross just over the bar. But against the run of play, the Eagles found an equaliser and an extremely good one it was - a superb passing move ended with Ambrose feeding Vaughan who made no mistake. The goal seemed to panic Rangers for the next few minutes, but the R's managed another effort just before the break with Routledge firing just over.
The R's started the 2nd half in positive fashion and on 56 minutes, the lead was restored - Wayne Routledge's through ball found Taarabt in the box but as he was about to let fire, was felled by a rash challenge from McCarthy, which saw the centre-back receive a red card and the referee point to the spot. Helguson stepped up and cooly slotted the ball down the centre.
Rangers continued to dominate but that all important, killer third goal was not to be, leading to a very nervy ending as Palace started pushing bodies forward. But the R's rearguard held firm and the final whistle brought much joy to the Loftus Road crowd.
QPR: Kenny; Orr, Hall, Gorkss, Hill; Derry, Faurlin; Routledge, Taarabt (Buzsaky 89), Smith (Ephraim 86); Helguson. Subs not used: Cerny, Connolly, Hulse, Miller, Chimbonda.
Man of the Match - again brought much discussion and there were some individual votes for Taarabt, Derry and Faurlin, who were all superb, but unanimously, with 5 votes, today's award goes to two goal, Heidar Helguson.
In summary and as mentioned, this was a far more comfortable victory than the scoreline suggests and with results going our way again, the lead now is 10 points. Of course, this may well be brought back to 7 or 9 over the next couple of days with the Cardiff and Norwich results, but with 9 games to go, is it now time to believe....
After the match, we made our way to the British Queen where a few of us, picked up fellow R's fan, Mel's, eagerly awaited book - Grounds for Divorce. The book is described by the Author as - An irreverant and honest look at the world of football taken during the course of the 2009-10 season. This, as viewed from a seat in the stands, a spot on the terrace, the confort of a sofa and the bottom of a glass.
I for one am looking forward to reading it and all of us at LH, wish Mel all the very best with his venture!!
The gang are in good numbers going up to Doncaster next weekend and a HUGE R's following is expected. Lee will return with one of his unique away game reports and will be capturing the days events for us all to enjoy.
Come on You R'ssssssssssssss!!!!
A double from Heidar Helguson, helped Rangers extend their lead at the Top of the Championship to 10 points, Crystal Palace being the R's latest Loftus Road victims...
With the events, talk and speculation off the pitch during the week, it seems an age since the Millwall defeat and it was dicussed as the gang descended on the upstairs bar of the Springbok once again for our pre match, inluding a surprise and very welcome visit from my friend Laura and Tony and it was great to spend some time and have a decent catch up with them both. The bouncers, although it is hardly their fault, where thankfully a bit more laid back this week with the new anti-drinking outside rule and we were eventually shuffled away from the balcony at 2.45 and we made our way into another sold out Loftus Road.
Well, despite the scoreline, the R's dominated the match and were gunning straight for Palace from the off . Adel Taarabt looked like he was definitely in the mood and the first chance of them match fell to the Moroccan, who fired just wide from 25 yards out. It wasn't long before the R's dominance turned into a goal and on 20 minutes, we were deservedly in front - Taarabt received the ball on the edge of the box and shot across the face of the goal and Helguson was on hand to slide in his 11th goal of the season at the back post. For the Statistician's amongst you, it was Taarabt's 19th assist of the season, 9 more than any other Championship player.
Chances continued to come for Rangers with Taarabt again testing Speroni and Helguson heading Smith's cross just over the bar. But against the run of play, the Eagles found an equaliser and an extremely good one it was - a superb passing move ended with Ambrose feeding Vaughan who made no mistake. The goal seemed to panic Rangers for the next few minutes, but the R's managed another effort just before the break with Routledge firing just over.
The R's started the 2nd half in positive fashion and on 56 minutes, the lead was restored - Wayne Routledge's through ball found Taarabt in the box but as he was about to let fire, was felled by a rash challenge from McCarthy, which saw the centre-back receive a red card and the referee point to the spot. Helguson stepped up and cooly slotted the ball down the centre.
Rangers continued to dominate but that all important, killer third goal was not to be, leading to a very nervy ending as Palace started pushing bodies forward. But the R's rearguard held firm and the final whistle brought much joy to the Loftus Road crowd.
QPR: Kenny; Orr, Hall, Gorkss, Hill; Derry, Faurlin; Routledge, Taarabt (Buzsaky 89), Smith (Ephraim 86); Helguson. Subs not used: Cerny, Connolly, Hulse, Miller, Chimbonda.
Man of the Match - again brought much discussion and there were some individual votes for Taarabt, Derry and Faurlin, who were all superb, but unanimously, with 5 votes, today's award goes to two goal, Heidar Helguson.
In summary and as mentioned, this was a far more comfortable victory than the scoreline suggests and with results going our way again, the lead now is 10 points. Of course, this may well be brought back to 7 or 9 over the next couple of days with the Cardiff and Norwich results, but with 9 games to go, is it now time to believe....
After the match, we made our way to the British Queen where a few of us, picked up fellow R's fan, Mel's, eagerly awaited book - Grounds for Divorce. The book is described by the Author as - An irreverant and honest look at the world of football taken during the course of the 2009-10 season. This, as viewed from a seat in the stands, a spot on the terrace, the confort of a sofa and the bottom of a glass.
I for one am looking forward to reading it and all of us at LH, wish Mel all the very best with his venture!!
The gang are in good numbers going up to Doncaster next weekend and a HUGE R's following is expected. Lee will return with one of his unique away game reports and will be capturing the days events for us all to enjoy.
Come on You R'ssssssssssssss!!!!
posted by LOFTY @ 3/12/2011
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