QPR have stepped up in final pursuit

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Queens Park Rangers produced a stunning turnaround to reach the Championship play-off final after extra-time against a drained Wigan Athletic on Monday night.

Loftus Road was electric as Charlie Austin, so often the hero for the Rs this season, netted from the spot and then latched on to a Bobby Zamora cross to win the match.

It came after a goal from former Newcastle United defender James Perch stunned the home fans into silence after just nine minutes, but Rangers refused to give in.

Manager Harry Redknapp used his Premier League nous to outwit Latics boss Uwe Rösler, bringing on Yun Suk-Young and Zamora for Clint Hill and Kevin Doyle.

The double switch changed the game, Yun providing pace and drive on the left flank, and the former Fulham forward setting up both goals for his lethal strike partner.

Much maligned for his injury woes and tendency to run into trouble and lose the ball, Junior Hoilett played out of his skin on the right wing, and was a menace throughout.

Fittingly, he began the excellent passage of play that led to the second-half spot kick, beating his opponent before playing an excellent one-two with Zamora.

Wigan defender Gary Caldwell clumsily slid in on Hoilett just inside the area and QPR were level shortly afterwards, a goal which sparked pandemonium in the stands.

Having weathered an early storm, with the visitors comfortably on top for the first 20 minutes, Rangers soon asserted their dominance and deserved their equaliser.

Joey Barton, anonymous for most of the first half, was supreme after the break at the heart of the midfield, where Gary O’Neil even lost a tooth, such was his commitment.

Nedum Onuoha, whose performances of late have been exemplary, was undoubtedly the Rs’ man of the match: solid, unflappable and inspirational from start to finish.

Only sporadically did the Latics threaten, James McClean going clean through only to see his initial effort saved by Rob Green, and follow up cannon off the post.

It was a huge let-off for QPR but one they are arguably deserved, and with Zamora proving that fitness is no substitute for experience, they pressed on for the winner.

It came after six minutes of extra time, Austin slotting a clever pass from the substitute past Scott Carson to send W12 into near-hysterics.

With the supporters willing QPR on, they held out, and everyone in blue and white was hugely relieved to see Rob Kiernan’s drive fly past the outside of the post late on.

The scene at full-time was jubilant, thousands of fans rushing onto the pitch to hail a group of players that, perhaps only now, truly captured their hearts.

For some, it was a redemptive tale: Hoilett, who by the end could barely run, finally shaking off the cruel “toilet” nickname having put in a magnificent display.

Zamora too, after the somewhat ironic “One Bobby Zamora” chant, his ability to hold the ball up, showing a surprising amount of strength in the process, proved crucial.

Indeed, arguably the Rs’ least effective player on the night was Austin, but he kept his composure, and looked to be playing through the pain, with his shoulders strapped up.

Nothing will ever beat QPR’s 1-0 victory against Oldham Athletic, which saw the club rise from the ashes of relegation and financial turmoil, but this came close.

Being inside Loftus Road when it is rocking is an experience that is becoming sadly rare in modern football, where supporters sit miles from the pitch in soulless bowls.

Pundits, journalists, broadcasters and fans of other clubs will no doubt be rooting for Derby County at Wembley, due to the bizarre hatred that seems to exist for Rangers.

Money has been spent, ludicrous sums of it, in fact, and people at the club have possibly been arrogant in recent years, but the supporters have never changed.

Seeing the Superhoops walk out at Wembley for the first time since 1986 will be an honour, whatever the result, with a team all in blue and white can now be proud of.

QPR have stepped up in final pursuit

admin

Queens Park Rangers produced a stunning turnaround to reach the Championship play-off final after extra-time against a drained Wigan Athletic on Monday night.

Loftus Road was electric as Charlie Austin, so often the hero for the Rs this season, netted from the spot and then latched on to a Bobby Zamora cross to win the match.

It came after a goal from former Newcastle United defender James Perch stunned the home fans into silence after just nine minutes, but Rangers refused to give in.

Manager Harry Redknapp used his Premier League nous to outwit Latics boss Uwe Rösler, bringing on Yun Suk-Young and Zamora for Clint Hill and Kevin Doyle.

The double switch changed the game, Yun providing pace and drive on the left flank, and the former Fulham forward setting up both goals for his lethal strike partner.

Much maligned for his injury woes and tendency to run into trouble and lose the ball, Junior Hoilett played out of his skin on the right wing, and was a menace throughout.

Fittingly, he began the excellent passage of play that led to the second-half spot kick, beating his opponent before playing an excellent one-two with Zamora.

Wigan defender Gary Caldwell clumsily slid in on Hoilett just inside the area and QPR were level shortly afterwards, a goal which sparked pandemonium in the stands.

Having weathered an early storm, with the visitors comfortably on top for the first 20 minutes, Rangers soon asserted their dominance and deserved their equaliser.

Joey Barton, anonymous for most of the first half, was supreme after the break at the heart of the midfield, where Gary O’Neil even lost a tooth, such was his commitment.

Nedum Onuoha, whose performances of late have been exemplary, was undoubtedly the Rs’ man of the match: solid, unflappable and inspirational from start to finish.

Only sporadically did the Latics threaten, James McClean going clean through only to see his initial effort saved by Rob Green, and follow up cannon off the post.

It was a huge let-off for QPR but one they are arguably deserved, and with Zamora proving that fitness is no substitute for experience, they pressed on for the winner.

It came after six minutes of extra time, Austin slotting a clever pass from the substitute past Scott Carson to send W12 into near-hysterics.

With the supporters willing QPR on, they held out, and everyone in blue and white was hugely relieved to see Rob Kiernan’s drive fly past the outside of the post late on.

The scene at full-time was jubilant, thousands of fans rushing onto the pitch to hail a group of players that, perhaps only now, truly captured their hearts.

For some, it was a redemptive tale: Hoilett, who by the end could barely run, finally shaking off the cruel “toilet” nickname having put in a magnificent display.

Zamora too, after the somewhat ironic “One Bobby Zamora” chant, his ability to hold the ball up, showing a surprising amount of strength in the process, proved crucial.

Indeed, arguably the Rs’ least effective player on the night was Austin, but he kept his composure, and looked to be playing through the pain, with his shoulders strapped up.

Nothing will ever beat QPR’s 1-0 victory against Oldham Athletic, which saw the club rise from the ashes of relegation and financial turmoil, but this came close.

Being inside Loftus Road when it is rocking is an experience that is becoming sadly rare in modern football, where supporters sit miles from the pitch in soulless bowls.

Pundits, journalists, broadcasters and fans of other clubs will no doubt be rooting for Derby County at Wembley, due to the bizarre hatred that seems to exist for Rangers.

Money has been spent, ludicrous sums of it, in fact, and people at the club have possibly been arrogant in recent years, but the supporters have never changed.

Seeing the Superhoops walk out at Wembley for the first time since 1986 will be an honour, whatever the result, with a team all in blue and white can now be proud of.