QPR 4-1 Southampton
QPR stormed into the top six of the Championship with a thumping 4-1 win over Southampton, in front of the Sky Sports Cameras at Loftus Road.
It has been a curse over recent years when the Sky cameras pay us a visit, either at home or away, but that has certainly been well and truly lifted now. But it didn't make it any less stranger than going to watch Rangers on a Sunday afternoon - and in the Premier League 4pm slot too. Some may say that we will get used to it in the future, but I will not get too carried away with that sort of talk just yet. Also, it makes it even less easier sitting down to write this after eating an enormous roast dinner.
With Corp still on his sick bed (get well soon mate!) and the somewhat strange non appearance of California Hoop, Craig joined myself and PK and we had barely sat down before we were up again celebrating after just 38 seconds of the game - the Saints defence failed to clear Gavin Mahon's long throw and Blackstock had time to steady himself and volley home from ten yards out.
If going behind so early was bad enough, the Saints were down to ten men on the half hour as a quite disgusting tackle (I have now seen the replay) by Lancashire on Damien Delaney, saw the Saints debutant given a straight red card. Rangers continued to threaten, but found keeper Kelvin Davis in sensational form, saving brilliantly from Blackstock three times and Damien Delaney.
At one point, it seemed the misses would prove costly for the R's as seven minutes after the break, the 10 men drew level - Lallana burst into the area, collected Simon Gillett's pass and slotted the ball past R's keeper Radek Cerny and into corner of the net. Iain Dowie then rang the changes, reverting to a 4-4-2 formation and nine minutes later, substitute Martin Rowlands' free-kick was nudged home by the offside Damion Stewart ( again, I have seen the replay).
Southampton keeper Davies was almost single handedly keeping the R's at bay with a further string of fine saves, but Rangers made the game safe on 76 minutes - Cook released Patrick Agyemang and after the striker's shot was blocked by Davis, Blackstock cooly fired home the rebound.
There was still time for Blackstock to set up Agyemang, who collected his strike partner's pass and shot past Davis to register his first goal of the season.
QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Stewart, Mahon, Leigertwood, Parejo (Rowlands 59), Blackstock, Ramage, Connolly, Cook, Ephraim (Agyemang 59). Subs: Camp, Gorkss, Balanta.
Lofty's Man of the Match - well, for QPR, Dexter Blackstock. But despite conceding 4 goals, I just can't ignore a fantastic goalkeeping display by Southampton's, Kelvin Davis.
Well, when was the last time we started a season so well? We are in 4th place in the league after 5 games and have a trip to Aston Villa in the Carling Cup to look forward too! Without wanting to sound too negative, the R's didn't play as well as they can do today by any means. But results are what count at the end of the day and you won't hear many complaints about a 4-1 home win... surely??
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