All Wright on the Night...

Chelsea 0-1 QPR

QPR pulled off one of the results of the season at Stamford Bridge last night, with a late goal from Shaun Wright-Phillips that brought home 3 precious points against our bitter rivals.

Happy New Year to you all!!

I was that fed up after the Liverpool game last weekend that I could barely write any sort of report at all, but what a difference a few days makes as I have been looking forward to this one all day...

Sadly, due to Christmas expenses etc and very high ticket prices, Sam, Lee and Jess were unable to attend the game. Due to location, I travelled alone to the Bridge and battled through a line of about 50 stewards to get to the turnstile, complete and utter overkill. When I finally got in and after a quick word with Jack and Luke, I met PK and Jenson who arrived just as I was finishing what was the worst Pie of the season so far, more on that later...

It is safe to say that myself and other R's fans, thought of nothing else but certain defeat and why would we think otherwise with Chelsea coming into the game on the back of 5 straight wins and scoring 8 against Villa in their last home game. Even the bookies price of 18/1 at some, wasn't enough to tempt many..

The game kicked off and the 3,000 odd Rangers fans were in fine voice and if nothing else tonight, would outshout their rivals. Chelsea should have been down to ten men after just 4 minutes when Marin committed a dreadful high tackle on Mbia, but the consistently bad, Lee Mason saw this possible leg breaker only worthy of a yellow.

Rangers, to a man were working their socks off and never gave Chelsea anytime on the ball, reducing them to long range efforts and there were half chances for Luiz and Moses. At the other end, Taarabt was pulling the strings but was twice frustrated by SWP (on for the injured Hoilett) failing to latch onto his through balls. SWP later got on the end of Granero's ball but shot harmlessly wide. The best chance of the half however, fell to Chelsea, when Oscar's low drive was deflected off Granero but saved brilliantly by the legs of Cesar.

We stayed in our seats at half time and sadly had to listen to the over amplified sound of the complete pillock that is the Stadium Announcer, who couldn't resist mentioning the fact that Chelsea were Champions of Europe. The Rangers end swiftly reminded him that they were already out of the competition.

Onto the second half and Chelsea put the R's straight under pressure and forced a succession of corners. Ivanovic's header went just over before Cesar pulled off a wonder save close range from Torres. Rangers held firm and were starting to put on pressure of their own, with Mackie almost going clear on goal and Granero fizzing a shot straight at Turnbull. Shaun Derry then arrived unmarked from a corner but again, found the Chelsea keeper well positioned. It was going end to end now and Moses hit a rasping drive just over Cesar's bar.

Lampard had the ball in the R's net on 66 minutes but was correctly adjudged offside by the linesman and with time ticking on, the away end were becoming ever hopeful off getting an unlikely point.

On 78 minutes, Rangers forced a corner which Granero took and the ball was headed out to Taarabt and with a superb lay off, found the oncoming Shaun Wright-Phillips who smashed a low drive into the corner of the net to cause absolute bedlam in the away end. Nobody could quite believe just what was happening out there..

The next 15 minutes were perhaps the longest that R's fans would ever endure as Chelsea threw everything at us, but Rangers continued to stand their ground and when the ball was thrown into play on 93 minutes, Mason blew the final whistle on a night R's fans will NEVER forget!!

Queens Park Rangers

• 33 Julio Cesar
• 06 Hill Booked
• 15 Onuoha
• 17 Nelsen
• 20 Fabio
• 04 Derry
• 10 Taarabt (Dyer - 90' )
• 14 Granero (Park Ji-sung - 90' )
• 40 M'bia
• 12 Mackie
• 23 Hoilett (Wright-Phillips - 15' )

Substitutes

• 01 Green
• 05 Ferdinand
• 07 Park Ji-sung
• 11 Wright-Phillips
• 18 Dyer
• 32 Faurlin
• 09 Cisse

Man of the Match - could quite simply be given to the entire team for a superb display full of heart, desire and passion and what R's fans have been crying out for. We do though have a winner, with Jess's vote going to Clint Hill, but the rest of us singling out Adel Taarabt.

Awayday Pie Rating

With just myself taking part and arriving early, I chose the beef and onion which was highly priced at £3.80 but was presented well in a carton. But, it was so hot it was burning the tongue and was almost impossible to eat and when it did eventually cool down, it crumbled everywhere after every bite. The very messy empty carton was dumped under my very expensive seat.

Chelsea Pie Rating - 2/10

How can I begin to summarise what was an unforgettable night for QPR fans everywhere!! So many highlights - the 'Champions of Europe, you're already out' and 'Ashley Cole, you're John Terry's bitch' chant as he warmed up in front of us, that goal, the celebrations, the final whistle... everything!! It has certainly put smiles back upon the faces of QPR fans and what a great way to start 2013!!!

Personally and as much as I cannot believe I am saying this after the season so far, Rangers got the 3 points last night because they wanted it more!!

There is certainly a long way to go and more performances like that are required - heart, desire and passion was in abundance last night and if that hasn't given you just the slightest bit of hope, nothing will. But whatever happens, it was an unforgettable night!!

I will return at the weekend to see if we can progress into the 4th Round of the FA Cup and continue this winning habit...

Keep the Faith and Come on you R'ssssssssssss!!!

Many thanks to Jess for the headline...