Adel 'Clatters' Spurs...

QPR 1-0 Tottenham

QPR pulled another massive performance out of the bag to gain another vital 3 points in the quest for Premier League survival, despite the best efforts of referee Mark Clattenburg... in what was a must win game for both sides.

As mentioned last week, it was also the birthday of California Hoop, which is why I am sitting writing this report late on a Sunday morning. So, the majority of the gang left the cars at home and I started the day early and met Sam and Luke in Nandos for a lovely pre match bite to eat and a good catch up which was very long overdue! From there we ventured to the White Horse for the drinking to begin and we were joined by Jointy, Lee and Jess - Lee certainly feeling the effects of a massive work night out which ended at 4.30am. Jenson and Lorna were in the Apex Rental box and we caught up with PK and California Hoop at the Stadium. Sadly, due to family committments, Corp couldn't join us today.

Onto the game and Mark Hughes kept the same side that was defeated at West Brom last week. Djibrel Cisse returned from another suspension and took his place on the bench. A decision that confused many R's fans but in hindsight, was probably a very sensible one.

Rangers gameplan was similar to that of the Arsenal game and to get in the faces of their opponents and to stop them playing and having any time on the ball. But a side with the quality Spurs have were always going to get chances and Bale's header was superbly saved at point blank range by Paddy Kenny. Van Der Vaart's effort shortly after was again superbly saved by the R's stopper.

But roared on by a noisy and passionate home crowd, the R's were doing their fair share of attacking and got their reward on 24 minutes - Rangers were maybe a tad fortunate to get a free kick when Sandro tussled with Taarabt 25 yards out. But the R's playmaker curled a beauty over the wall and past Brad Friedal.

Jenson joined the party at half time and was kind enough to bring me a small steak pie, which are definitely one of the highlights from the Corporate experience at Loftus Road. I was quickly consumed as we settled down for the second half...

Kicking towards the Spurs fans, the R's nearly doubled their lead with the again, impressive Diakete storming into the box before smashing his effort into the side netting. There were further half chances for both sides, but Spurs continued to have the lions share of possession, but the R's were defending superbly and holding firm.

Spurs best chance to equalise came with 20 minutes to go, but van der Vaart blasted his effort over from 12 yards. But on 78 mimutes, the R's were yet again reduced to ten men with yet another controversial refereeing decision. Unsporting behaviour as it's been reported, saw Adel Taarabt get his marching orders. Some say it was for kicking the ball away and others have informed me it was because he was arguing with Clattenburg. Either way, it was a very harsh decision, especially when you take into consideration the misdemeanours of England Captain, Scott Parker throughout the afternoon. More on that shortly...

Despite the setback, the R's continued to hold firm as Spurs camped in the R's half. The occasional break away saw some respite but also could have got a greater reward, but Zamora's effort was superbly blocked in stoppage time.

QPR: Kenny, Diakite (Buzsaky 70), Hill, Derry, Taarabt, Mackie, Barton, Taiwo, Ferdinand, Onuoha, Zamora. Subs not used: Cerny, Gabbidon, Traore, Helguson, Cisse, Wright-Phillips.

Man of the Match - again, probably many candidates, but the gang had it whittled down to two, with Jess and PK opting for Mackie. But for the rest of us, it was pretty unanimous and despite the sending off, the award goes to Adel Taarabt.

In summary, this was another massive result for Rangers, but an equally bad one for Spurs. Recent home performances have proved we can cut at this level and I can hope that in remaining games, we will get another to survive. When you look at the run in we have had, it will be a massive, massive achievement, but the players are certainly giving us plenty of hope and belief.

I am not going to dwell too much of yet another shocking refereeing performance, which in the end, didn't spoil a superb day for QPR. But it certainly is hard to take sometimes when you see Adel Taarabt sent off for next to nothing, but see Scott Parker deliberately hacking down Diakete then blantantly diving (as did van der Vaart) to win free kicks, going completely unpunished. It's almost embarrassing...

To see California Hoops opinion of Mr Clattenburg, click on the following link and keep them pealed at about 45 seconds....

http://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/qpr-video/video-fans-celebrate-qprs-vital-win-against-tottenham/

Finally, to complete a superb day, the gang, then joined by Tony and Chris, all met in the Springbok to continue to celebrate California Hoops birthday. Originally a meeting point, the atmosphere and music were so good we stayed there all evening, before ending up in what was a tad seedy club of which I can't remember the name. We finally decided to call it a night at around 2.00 am after California and Jointy were playing Chess and myself, Sam, Luke, Tony C and PK, who was rather good at it, playing Connect 4. Myself and California Hoop also caused much amusement, taking it upon ourselves to be unofficial bouncers in the Club's VIP area. Traditional 'booze food' was consumed before we all ventured on our journeys home...

Lee will return next Sunday as we turn our attentions to what could be an interesting fixture, away at rivals, Chelsea....

Come on You R'ssssss!!!