QUEENS Park Rangers slipped to an opening day defeat as James Chester headed home a winner against the run of play.
Rangers had dominated chances and possession in the opening period, but with little to show for their constant pressing and opportunity.
Hull City came out the brighter in the second period following a shift in formation started to impose some impetus on proceedings and had the lead when Chester nodded home from a far post set piece.
Rangers had the chance to level when Chester handled from substitute Junior Hoilett’s cross – but Charlie Austin’s spot-kick was saved by Alan McGregor low to his right to compound the occasion.
The hosts pressed late on, but the Tigers’ gamesmanship and resolute rearguard held out for hard-fought opening day win. Rangers will look to add to their ranks prior to the Spurs fixture next week.
|
TEAM NEWS |
Harry Redknapp named three debutantes among his starting line up with Rio Ferdinand, Steven Caulker and Jordon Mutch all making their first appearances in a hooped shirt.
Rob Green started behind a back three of Ferdinand, Caulker and Richard Dunne with Armand Traoré and Danny Simpson occupying the wing-back berths. Alejandro Faurlin, Mutch and Joey Barton started through the middle with Loïc Remy partnering Charlie Austin.
Hull City started with Alan McGregor behind a defence of Alex Bruce, James Chester, Curtis Davies and Andrew Robertson. Ahmed Elmohamady, Tom Huddlestone, Jake Livermore and Robert Snodgrass played across the middle with Tom Ince playing off Nikica Jelavic.
|
KICK OFF: QUEENS PARK RANGERS v HULL CITY |
The two sides looked positive in the early offing with the Tigers the first to register a chance of note inside the ten minute mark. Andrew Robertson’s foray down the left saw his cross nodded over by Nikica Jelavic.
Rangers midfield trio was linking up well early on with Jordon Mutch looking comfortable in possession and searching for Austin and the returning Loïc Remy. The Frenchman registered Rangers first chance inside 15 minutes with his deflected effort carrying fortuitously to McGregor.
Alejandro Faurlin nearly profited from indecision in the visiting defence when a corner broke down and Caulker fed the Argentinean. His swivel and shot flew wide to McGregor’s left in a golden opportunity for the home side.
Curtis Davies was handed a yellow card for reducing Remy to rubble outside the the area, and Barton’s resultant set-piece was disappointing as he placed a languid right footed shot straight into the side netting – never really threatening McGregor.
Remy was relentless on his return and after good link up play with Austin took up a position wide right, and waited before measuring a cross for the onrushing Mutch – the former Cardiff City man glancing wide of the upright.
The Frenchman Remy bought some more space for himself with a little over ten minutes remaining of the half, and with Austin waiting to his left, he went himself but planted the ball straight at the grateful McGregor.
The visitors were getting dominated and their plight wasn’t helped when Robert Snodgrass was withdrawn through injury with Stephen Quinn coming on in his stead. Rangers still pressurised the Tigers as the half wore on.
First Austin should have done better when he intercepted a pass and bore down on goal – his delayed left-footed drive was ably blocked as another opportunity was spurned. Barton’s corner then picked out Caulker who was prevented a debut goal by a block in front of McGregor.
The half belonged to QPR in everything but the decisive goal, more composure in front of goal was required in order to make their dominance count.
|
HALF TIME: QUEENS PARK RANGERS 0-0 HULL CITY |
Hull City made a change at the break, with Alex Bruce coming off for Paul McShane. This prompted a tactical shift seeing the Tigers match up with Rangers by going three at the back. It paid dividends just five minutes into the half as a set-piece opened the scoring.
A far post corner from substitute Quinn saw JAMES CHESTER get in behind former Manchester United team-mate Ferdinand and stoop to head home beyond Green and hand the visitors the advantage firmly against the overall run of play.
Rangers struggled to pick up the tempo and Hull started to pick the hosts off on here counter-attack. None more so than when the impressive substitute Quinn cut inside from the right before delivering a fine reverse pass to Tom Ince – but he was thwarted smartly by Green.
Faurlin fired a shot straight at McGregor, but Hull were crowding out the hosts and defending their lead resolutely. Rangers responded by bringing on Matt Phillips and Junior Hoilett for Danny Simpson and Alejandro Faurlin.
Green saved well from Ince from a free-kick after Dunne had smashed Jelavic with a poorly timed tackle. He was ultimately withdrawn with ten minutes remaining and playoff hero Bobby Zamora was introduced to the fans’ adulation.
David Meyler came on for the ineffective Tom Ince but it was the aforementioned Zamora that had the instant impact. His hold up play and slide-rule pass for Junior Hoilett saw his cross handled by Chester.
Mr Pawson had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. The gamesmanship was evident as Austin stood to one side with the ball. After a couple of minutes he placed the ball down and saw his right footed effort saved low to his right by ‘keeper McGregor.
Rangers continued to press but Joey Barton’s set pieces were sub standard – finding a Hull player at every opportunity. Quite why the likes of Mutch weren’t considered to take set-pieces following a few disappointing efforts was open to debate.
The hosts had a couple of glorious openings at the end with Remy finding McGregor at his best, saving an effort at point blank range – before Zamora found some space on the left hand side of the area, but was blocked before he could engineer a shot.
The referee called time after five frustrating minutes of injury time, to see Rangers walk away with an opening day defeat. A display with promise that couldn’t be capped off with an all important goal. A performance that augurs well should the finishing touches be applied.
|
FINAL WHISTLE: QUEENS PARK RANGERS 0-1 HULL CITY |