QPR 2-1 Middlesbrough Match Report:
Dec 17, 2018 13:12:52 GMT
Post by simoncheshire on Dec 17, 2018 13:12:52 GMT
QPR 2-1 Middlesbrough:
In what was treacherous conditions at Loftus Road on Saturday Rangers persevered against the elements to claim their first win in five attempts and condemn Middlesbrough to only their second defeat in five games.
Going into the game QPR made two changes to the side which lost away at high flyers Leeds with Darnell Furlong and Jordon Cousins replacing the injured Angel Rangel and Geoff Cameron respectively.
The home side got off to the better start with Massimo Luongo seeing his speculative effort blocked within the first minute. In the 4th minute Pawel Wszolek capitalised on Jake Bidwell’s cross to tap the ball home from close range to give the R’s an early but deserved lead.
As the first half developed Rangers continued to carve out opportunities with Wells and Eberechi Eze having chances to double the home sides lead. However, as the half time whistle finally blew Middlesbrough had grown in confidence with the R’s defending for their lives to maintain their one goal advantage at the break.
Going into the second half the visitors started on top with George Friend having the first real opportunity of the half. But with the R’s down to ten men due to an injury to Joel Lynch midfielder George Saville pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the box and smashed the ball past the helpless Joe Lumley in the R’s net to draw the visitors level.
Following the equaliser Middlesbrough were looking the more likely to pounce. However, on the 60th minute Wells expertly converted round the Borough defence to give Rangers the lead.
Rangers continued to push to try to kill the game off with Eze and Luongo both having efforts. In the dying minutes it felt as though the R’s were going to rue those missed opportunities as the visitors pushed for another equaliser. But the West London outfit stood strong and held on to what is a vital three points and Middlesbrough return to Teesside with nothing.
Player Ratings:
Joe Lumley 7: Produced the saves he needed to, but wasn’t really troubled in what was difficult conditions for goalkeepers.
Darnell Furlong 9: My man of the match, considering he hasn’t featured much this season to be able to come straight back into the team and produce a performance like that is a credit to him.
Joel Lynch 6: A okay first half and was replaced due to injury after 50 minutes.
Toni Leistner 8: A dominate display from Leistner who seems to relish the physical battles.
Jake Bidwell 7: Another solid display from Bidwell who did well with Wszolek’s goal.
Massimo Luongo 7: A good performance from Luongo who is looking fitter and fitter each week.
Jordon Cousins 7: A fantastic first 15 minutes from Cousins. Faded a bit later on in the game but a good performance nevertheless.
Pawel Wszolek 7: A well taken goal from Wszolek and an okay performance, but drifted in and out of the game.
Luke Freeman 8: A good display from Freeman who looked like he had a point to prove against the team who wanted to sign him.
Eberechi Eze 8: A very mature display from Eze who was kicked all game but stood strong and produced some fine attacking moves.
Nahki Wells 8: Led the line well for the R’s and took his goal well, could have been man of the match as well but Furlong just edged it.
Substitutes:
Josh Scowen 7: After coming on due to Joel Lynch’s injury he helped calm the midfield down after the rotation of positions for some players.
Matt Smith 6: Came on to nullify the areal threat of Aden Flint and did successfully.
Aramide Oteh 6: Didn’t have long enough to impact the game.
In what was treacherous conditions at Loftus Road on Saturday Rangers persevered against the elements to claim their first win in five attempts and condemn Middlesbrough to only their second defeat in five games.
Going into the game QPR made two changes to the side which lost away at high flyers Leeds with Darnell Furlong and Jordon Cousins replacing the injured Angel Rangel and Geoff Cameron respectively.
The home side got off to the better start with Massimo Luongo seeing his speculative effort blocked within the first minute. In the 4th minute Pawel Wszolek capitalised on Jake Bidwell’s cross to tap the ball home from close range to give the R’s an early but deserved lead.
As the first half developed Rangers continued to carve out opportunities with Wells and Eberechi Eze having chances to double the home sides lead. However, as the half time whistle finally blew Middlesbrough had grown in confidence with the R’s defending for their lives to maintain their one goal advantage at the break.
Going into the second half the visitors started on top with George Friend having the first real opportunity of the half. But with the R’s down to ten men due to an injury to Joel Lynch midfielder George Saville pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the box and smashed the ball past the helpless Joe Lumley in the R’s net to draw the visitors level.
Following the equaliser Middlesbrough were looking the more likely to pounce. However, on the 60th minute Wells expertly converted round the Borough defence to give Rangers the lead.
Rangers continued to push to try to kill the game off with Eze and Luongo both having efforts. In the dying minutes it felt as though the R’s were going to rue those missed opportunities as the visitors pushed for another equaliser. But the West London outfit stood strong and held on to what is a vital three points and Middlesbrough return to Teesside with nothing.
Player Ratings:
Joe Lumley 7: Produced the saves he needed to, but wasn’t really troubled in what was difficult conditions for goalkeepers.
Darnell Furlong 9: My man of the match, considering he hasn’t featured much this season to be able to come straight back into the team and produce a performance like that is a credit to him.
Joel Lynch 6: A okay first half and was replaced due to injury after 50 minutes.
Toni Leistner 8: A dominate display from Leistner who seems to relish the physical battles.
Jake Bidwell 7: Another solid display from Bidwell who did well with Wszolek’s goal.
Massimo Luongo 7: A good performance from Luongo who is looking fitter and fitter each week.
Jordon Cousins 7: A fantastic first 15 minutes from Cousins. Faded a bit later on in the game but a good performance nevertheless.
Pawel Wszolek 7: A well taken goal from Wszolek and an okay performance, but drifted in and out of the game.
Luke Freeman 8: A good display from Freeman who looked like he had a point to prove against the team who wanted to sign him.
Eberechi Eze 8: A very mature display from Eze who was kicked all game but stood strong and produced some fine attacking moves.
Nahki Wells 8: Led the line well for the R’s and took his goal well, could have been man of the match as well but Furlong just edged it.
Substitutes:
Josh Scowen 7: After coming on due to Joel Lynch’s injury he helped calm the midfield down after the rotation of positions for some players.
Matt Smith 6: Came on to nullify the areal threat of Aden Flint and did successfully.
Aramide Oteh 6: Didn’t have long enough to impact the game.