Queens Park Rangers have been involved in some fiery games over the years and one that will always stand out was the home win over Chelsea back in 2011.
There is a big rivalry anyway between the two west London clubs but that game had a lot riding on it considering the poor start to the season the R’s had made. And, whilst it’s best remembered for the unsavoury incident that saw John Terry charged by the FA for using racist language towards Anton Ferdinand, it was an intense game before that.
The visitors had Jose Bosingwa and Didier Drogba sent off, with QPR ultimately picking up the three points thanks to a Heidar Helguson penalty.
And, former player Jamie Mackie has been looking back at that win, as he revealed the anger between the players spilled over to the tunnel after the game – and he also explained how he was singled out by the tough Branislav Ivanovic in the scuffle.
Will QPR finish in the top six this season?
Yes
No
“It went off in the tunnel that game. I’ve got to the party late, ran in there and it was all going off, shouting and the usual handbags. And, I got pinned up against the wall and wasn’t moving – Ivanovic had bullied me up against the wall,” he told the R’s social media.
“So, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything anyway but yeah, he absolutely bullied me, so I remember that one. But, it was a good win for us and H (Helguson) was just super cool at penalties.”
The versatile forward was a popular figure with the R’s fans because of his energy and he was a key performer as the team managed to stay up, scoring seven goals in 31 games, including a header in the final day defeat at Manchester City that saw the hosts clinch the league.