Late Sissoko Strike Sinks Rangers..

Newcastle 1-0 QPR

A late Moussa Sissoko strike saw Newcastle's remarkable form continue and sadly send Rangers back to the bottom of the Premier League at St James Park yesterday..

It was only Jenson that represented LH up in the Toon yesterday as I was laid low with illness late Thursday evening -  and I decided I was not fit to travel on Friday lunchtime, giving Jenson ample time to find a replacement. But with this trip being a Corporate one, there wasn't a problem with that and Jenson and Co flew to the North East at around 9.45am. Other commitments saw Lee, Jess and PK also miss out and Sam and Luke had the little matter of their lovely twins 3rd Birthday - Happy Birthday Noah and Louie!!!

With messages and photos filtering through from Jenson, I settled down at about ten to three to find a stream, which wasn't as easy as I hoped and the one I found was truly dreadful, continually freezing and making it almost unwatchable. So I didn't see a great deal of the first half, which by all accounts was pretty even. Luckily I spent the half time break searching for a different one and I was able to watch the second half.

Both sides started the second half well and Charlie Austin tested Krul following Barton's chipped pass. Zamora then sent a header just over following a cross from Karl Henry. Sandro's injury problems looked to be continuing as he was replace by Kranjcar on the hour mark - and the Rangers sub should have made an almost instant impact, twisting and turning in the box before firing straight at Krul from a tight angle with Austin and Zamora waiting in the wings being the better option.

Cisse forced Green into action again but the breakthrough finally came with 12 minutes to go - Sissoko broke at pass and after exchanging passes with Ameobi, fired into the net giving Green no chance.

Rangers responded by bringing on Hoilett and with minutes to go, he lashed a shot harmslessly wide. In stoppage time, Cisse almost made it too but there was no pace on his effort past the advancing Green and Joey Barton cleared to safety. Despite plenty of the ball in the late stages, Rangers were unable to force the equaliser and Newcastle's 5th win on the bounce was confirmed...

Queens Park Rangers

• 01 Green
• 15 Onuoha Booked
• 22 Dunne Booked
• 04 Caulker
• 13 Yun Suk-young
• 08 Barton
• 30 Sandro (Kranjcar - 61' )
• 20 Henry (Hoilett - 82' )
• 10 Fer
• 25 Zamora Booked
• 09 Austin

Substitutes

• 03 Traore
• 07 Phillips
• 12 McCarthy
• 14 Isla
• 17 Mutch
• 19 Kranjcar
• 23 Hoilett

Man of the Match

There were no votes from Sam and Luke, understandably busy on their Special day, but Jenson was the first through with Karl Henry. Jess voted for a decent comeback performance from Joey Barton. But this weeks winner and following a change of mind vote this morning from Jenson claiming the drink had influenced his original vote, he joined myself and Lee choosing Rob Green.

This was perhaps, disappointing in light of the R's recent showings, but despite Newcastle being very much a team bang in form , it was a very even game. Again the after match reading will highlight our dreadful away form, but make no mistake, Rangers were well worthy of a point here..

We shall return next week as Lee will review the crucial clash with Leicester on Saturday..

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