QPR will be playing Championship football next season. Their 1-0 win against Cardiff City at Loftus Road on Saturday, sealed by Dexter Blackstock’s 14th goal of the season, confirmed survival.
John Gregory went into the game without Cullip and Mancienne so partnered Stewart and Kanyuka at the heart of the defence. Lee Cook was back on the left wing with Nygaard and Blackstock in attack.
Cardiff went close to drawing first blood inside the opening sixty seconds when Bolder fouled Chopra who then smashed the resulting free kick a fraction wide of the post. At the other end Steve Lomas chipped Forde in the Cardiff goal but Nygaard failed to convert when it seemed easier to score.
Cardiff were pretty poor throughout with Michael Chopra too busy moaning and fouling to cause QPR any real problems. He was booked for one of numerous offences before half time. QPR penned Cardiff in their own half for th opening 20 minutes and should have had a penalty when Bolder was chopped down by McPhail but referee Thorpe waved the appeals away.
It was a familiar combination that got QPR the all important goal. Lee Cook sent over a cross for Dexter Blackstock to power home from the edge of the six yard box.
At the end of the half Flood sent a ball right across the face of goal but Thompson couldn’t get a boot on it to score – he and Chopra were marked out of the game mostly by Kanyuka and Stewart.
After half time the visiting side had more of the ball but did little with it. Johnson got the ball past Camp but Thompson couldn’t convert thanks to a great goal line clearance from Stewart in a repeat of the Lomas/Nygaard first half incident.
Michael Chopra hit a volley straight at Lee Camp which bounced awkwardly but was easily fielded by the Rangers’ stopper. This was Camp’s only real save to make but he did come under pressure from a number of crosses and corners, all of which he dealt with brilliantly.
Kerrea Gilbert was lucky to stay on the pitch after picking up a booking for a foul on Cook and then hacking down Nygaard within a minute. The referee let him off the second time and Dave Jones immediately substituted him.
Rangers frustrated Cardiff – the star men were the two centre halves and central midfielders which tells a story – and that boiled over at the final whistle when Michael Chopra rejected Lee Camp’s invitation to shake hands and started a fight instead. Chopra was sent off which ends his season, Camp was booked.
That mattered little though, Rangers are now safe and Gregory can stat planning for next season after a job well done.
Player Ratings
Lee Camp 8
A clean sheet and although he didn’t have saves to make his command of the area was perfect throughout.
Sam Timoska 7
Usual strong performance from Sammy, for a makeshift full back he doesn’t half do the job well.
Damion Stewart 9
Star Man
Pat Kanyuka 8
A bit ropey last week but commanding and confident this time.
Marcus Bignot 7
Mr consistent did his usual secure job at full back. Possibly an outside bet for player of the year.
Martin Rowlands 7
Worked like a dog for an hour before being replaced by Smith.
Steve Lomas 7
Part of an dogged midfield display which saw all the Cardiff players under pressure when in possession.
Adam Bolder 7
Exactly the same as Lomas.
Lee Cook 7
One of his quieter games but got the key assist for the goal as always.
Dexter Blackstock 7
Worked hard, scored the goal, nuff said.
Marc Nygaard 7
Good work rate throughout, should have scored in the first half though.
Jimmy Smith 7
Came on and contributed to the high tempo work rate.
Paul Furlong 7
Held the ball up and frustrated Cardiff well in the last ten minutes.