QPR 1-0 Wigan Athletic : Match Report
Aug 25, 2018 19:16:57 GMT
Post by simoncheshire on Aug 25, 2018 19:16:57 GMT
QPR 1-0 Wigan Athletic:
Tomer Hemed’s early first half goal helped Queens Park Rangers achieve a 1-0 victory over newly promoted side Wigan Athletic and claim their first points of the season.
QPR made four changes from the side which slumped to a 3-0 defeat to Bristol City on Tuesday evening. With Joe Lumley claiming his place in goal, Joel Lynch returning to the heart of the R’s defence and new loan signings Hemed and Nahki Wells leading the attack for Rangers.
In contrast opponents Wigan Athletic made two changes from their good win at Stoke City on Tuesday with Nathan Byrne and Josh Windass coming into the side.
The game began in a very scrappy tone, with both sides giving away cheap free kicks, however it was new signings Wells and Hemed who instantly caught the attention of the home faithful with some good link up play, creating what was the R’s first real opportunity of the game.
Wigan grew into the game and seemed to thrive on Rangers’ nervous approach and as the half progressed created many openings which could have easily put the Latics ahead, but QPR were able to hold on.
On the 35th minute Hemed broke the deadlock as the ball fell to him after a scramble in the box, from a Luke Freeman corner and he was able to smash the ball home to give Rangers the lead.
Going into the second half, Rangers looked comfortable with Freeman and Wells both having chances to put the game out of sight. But they were unable to convert and the R’s were holding on to what would be a valuable three points.
Wigan continued to press for that all important equaliser, but were simply missing that final piece of quality, to break down a stubborn QPR backline. In the dying minutes substitute Pawel Wszolek had the opportunity to kill the game for the R’s, but he was caught in two minds whether to shoot or cross, eventually the ball went out for a corner.
Despite a nervy atmosphere around Loftus Road, Rangers were able to hold on for their first win and points of the season, ultimately moving the R’s off the foot of the Sky Bet Championship table.
Player Ratings:
Joe Lumley 7: A very vocal and reassuring display from Lumley, despite a few minor errors, he looked assured in the R’s goal.
Angel Rangel 5: A poor display from Rangel, who seems to be lacking in match fitness.
Toni Leistner 6: Won some important aerial battles, gave away some needless free kicks.
Joel Lynch 6: A better display from Lynch, who grew in confidence as the game developed.
Jake Bidwell 6: A mediocre display from Bidwell, was caught out of position on numerous occasions and gave away many needless free kicks.
Josh Scowen 6: A average performance from Scowen, didn’t do much right, but didn’t do anything wrong.
Massimo Luongo 6: A poor first half from Luongo, but a much improved second half, still seems to be lacking in fitness.
Luke Freeman 6: A simple performance from Freeman, still seems to be trying to adjust to playing out wide. Got the assist for the goal.
Eberechi Eze 6: One of Eze’s worst displays in his short Rangers career, didn’t have much of an influence on the game at all.
Nahki Wells 8: A good first performance from Wells in a Blue and White Hooped shirt, ran tirelessly and looked classy on the ball. My man of the match.
Tomer Hemed 7: Took his goal very well and worked hard, is exactly what Rangers needed, his match fitness is lacking.
Substitutes:
Conor Washington 6: Worked hard when he came on.
Matt Smith 6: Wasn’t on long enough to do anything, wasted vital minutes at the end of the game.
Pawel Wszolek 6: Again wasn’t on long enough.
Tomer Hemed’s early first half goal helped Queens Park Rangers achieve a 1-0 victory over newly promoted side Wigan Athletic and claim their first points of the season.
QPR made four changes from the side which slumped to a 3-0 defeat to Bristol City on Tuesday evening. With Joe Lumley claiming his place in goal, Joel Lynch returning to the heart of the R’s defence and new loan signings Hemed and Nahki Wells leading the attack for Rangers.
In contrast opponents Wigan Athletic made two changes from their good win at Stoke City on Tuesday with Nathan Byrne and Josh Windass coming into the side.
The game began in a very scrappy tone, with both sides giving away cheap free kicks, however it was new signings Wells and Hemed who instantly caught the attention of the home faithful with some good link up play, creating what was the R’s first real opportunity of the game.
Wigan grew into the game and seemed to thrive on Rangers’ nervous approach and as the half progressed created many openings which could have easily put the Latics ahead, but QPR were able to hold on.
On the 35th minute Hemed broke the deadlock as the ball fell to him after a scramble in the box, from a Luke Freeman corner and he was able to smash the ball home to give Rangers the lead.
Going into the second half, Rangers looked comfortable with Freeman and Wells both having chances to put the game out of sight. But they were unable to convert and the R’s were holding on to what would be a valuable three points.
Wigan continued to press for that all important equaliser, but were simply missing that final piece of quality, to break down a stubborn QPR backline. In the dying minutes substitute Pawel Wszolek had the opportunity to kill the game for the R’s, but he was caught in two minds whether to shoot or cross, eventually the ball went out for a corner.
Despite a nervy atmosphere around Loftus Road, Rangers were able to hold on for their first win and points of the season, ultimately moving the R’s off the foot of the Sky Bet Championship table.
Player Ratings:
Joe Lumley 7: A very vocal and reassuring display from Lumley, despite a few minor errors, he looked assured in the R’s goal.
Angel Rangel 5: A poor display from Rangel, who seems to be lacking in match fitness.
Toni Leistner 6: Won some important aerial battles, gave away some needless free kicks.
Joel Lynch 6: A better display from Lynch, who grew in confidence as the game developed.
Jake Bidwell 6: A mediocre display from Bidwell, was caught out of position on numerous occasions and gave away many needless free kicks.
Josh Scowen 6: A average performance from Scowen, didn’t do much right, but didn’t do anything wrong.
Massimo Luongo 6: A poor first half from Luongo, but a much improved second half, still seems to be lacking in fitness.
Luke Freeman 6: A simple performance from Freeman, still seems to be trying to adjust to playing out wide. Got the assist for the goal.
Eberechi Eze 6: One of Eze’s worst displays in his short Rangers career, didn’t have much of an influence on the game at all.
Nahki Wells 8: A good first performance from Wells in a Blue and White Hooped shirt, ran tirelessly and looked classy on the ball. My man of the match.
Tomer Hemed 7: Took his goal very well and worked hard, is exactly what Rangers needed, his match fitness is lacking.
Substitutes:
Conor Washington 6: Worked hard when he came on.
Matt Smith 6: Wasn’t on long enough to do anything, wasted vital minutes at the end of the game.
Pawel Wszolek 6: Again wasn’t on long enough.
