Reports: QPR Beat Fulham...Ben Sahar Scoring...But Walton Badly Injured

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Updated Aug 4: 10:45am:

QPR OFFICIAL SITE - DON'T GET CARRIED AWAY!
John Gregory has asked QPR fans not to expect too much, too soon from his side, despite Friday's impressive victory against Fulham.
A Ben Sahar doubled cancelled out Brian McBride's opener, as the R's came from behind to beat Lawrie Sanchez's men at Loftus Road.
"It's a great boost for us to beat a Premiership side a week before the start of the season, but the real stuff begins next Saturday,'' Gregory told www.qpr.co.uk.
"We'll probably be expected to win the Championship after this result - maybe by 20 points or so, or I'll be sacked at the end of the season!
"In all seriousness, the fans still need to be patient with us. There's a lot more to come from this group of players yet and one victory over Fulham, although very nice, isn't the making of this side.''
Gregory heaped praise on the R's players though, commenting: "The energy we showed was quite remarkable.
"Fulham have spent £25 million or so over the summer and we matched them in every department.
"We were very good value for the victory and I don't think the fans at Loftus Road or those watching on TV, could have any complaints with the final scoreline.''
Gregory added: "As I've always said with friendly matches, the outcome is immaterial. There were plenty of good points, but also some not so good.
"The goal we conceded was an absolute shocker from a defensive point of view and that's something we'll be sitting down and chatting about in the next few days.
"Having said, wasn't it great to beat them. It was a really good night.'' QPR
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/TheGaffer/0,,10373~1084779,00.html

BBC - QPR await X-rays on Walton injury
Queens Park Rangers are waiting for the results of X-rays after new signing Simon Walton suffered a suspected broken leg on Friday evening.
The midfielder, 19, joined QPR from Charlton last week, but was injured in their friendly against Fulham.
"It appears he's broken his leg, but we should know more in the next 48 hours or so," Rangers manager John Gregory told his club's website.
"It looks like our worst suspicions will be confirmed." BBC

Simon Skinner/QPR Net Match Report - Match Report

Clive Whittingham/QPR Rivals Match Report

QPR defeated Fulham 2-1 tonight, with two goals from Sahar, but the big news is that Simon Walton suffered a probable broken leg.
(Walton's injuries conjures up memories of a couple of past terrible injuries playing against Fulham: Clarke Carlisle and Richard Langley both suffered cruciate injuries in the same game against Fulham and back in 1972, Martyn Busby broke his leg playing at Fulham.)

QPR Official Site - WALTON INJURY UPDATE
Rangers are awaiting the results of an X-ray, but it is suspected new signing Simon Walton sustained a broken leg against Fulham tonight (Friday).
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, gaffer John Gregory gave us the latest news from the R's treatment room.
"It appears he's broken his leg, but we're waiting on the X-rays and we should know more in the next 48 hours or so,'' said Gregory.
"I've just had a brief conversation with our Assistant Physio Shane Annun who's with him at the hospital and it looks like our worst suspicions will be confirmed.
"You wouldn't wish it on anybody, especially Simon, who has been a shining light since he arrived here.
"It takes the gloss off what was a great evening, but knowing Simon as I do, I'm convinced he'll come back bigger, better and stronger.'' QPR
TEAM NEWS
QPR: Camp, Rehman, Mancienne, Stewart, Barker, Rowlands, Bolder, Walton, Moore, Blackstock, Sahar.
Subs: Cole, Bignot, Nardiello, Simmonds, Shimmin, Nygaard, St Aimie, Baidoo, Bailey, Timoska.

Fulham: Niemi, Baird, Konchesky, Bocanegra, Knight, Davis, Smertin, Healy, McBride, Dempsey, Cook.
Subs: Warner, Elliott, Diop, John, Rosenior, Volz, Pearce, Christanval. QPR

FULHAM OFFICIAL SITE
QPR V Fulham QPR QPR2 Sahar (58, 68)
Fulham FC Fulham1 McBride (10)

Fulham were defeated by two goals to one at Loftus Road on Friday evening.
Two clinical finishes by Ben Sahar in the second half punished the Whites in their final pre-season friendly ahead of next Sunday's Premiership opener at the Emirates.
Brian McBride was handed the captaincy for the game against QPR and it was the American’s instinctive finish which gave Fulham a one-nil lead going into the break.
The home side made a promising start with Ben Sahar looking dangerous in the opening exchanges. Rangers earned two corners in the opening two minutes and produced the first clear cut opportunity of the game.
Former Fulham player Zesh Rehman produced a fine delivery into the area from deep. Dexter Blackstock latched onto the cross 8 yards from goal and sent the ball seering towards the far post. Fortunately for Fulham Niemi was alert and produced a fine fingertip save round the post.
Despite early pressure from the home side it was Fulham who scored the opener after ten minutes of play. Davis, Smertin and Dempsey linked up well in midfield before the ball found Baird on the right flank. Baird sent in a deep cross to the far post which found Healy. The striker’s header across goal was met by McBride who swept the ball home from 8 yards to give Fulham the lead.

The game was brought to a halt on 16 minutes when Simon Walton fell awkwardly following a challenge inside Fulham’s half. Unfortunately the player was stretchered from the field of play and replaced by Stefan Bailey.

Fulham’s central defence remained solid throughout the first period with Zat Knight producing several good interceptions and a fine piece of skill under pressure on 26 minutes.

Zesh Rehman was booked for a late challenge on Lee Cook after 27 minutes. The game did not lack any competitve edge with some full-blooded challenges from both sides during the first period.

Bocanegra delivered the resulting free-kick from deep and despite McBride winning his aerial battle against keeper Camp, the referee blew for an infringement.

Striker Healy was given his first chance on goal from 25 yards on 29 minutes. The striker controlled the ball before firing in a thunderous volley - once again Camp was alert to the danger and gathered with ease from a good central position. Healy was in the wars during the first period with some no-nonsense marking from QPR’s back-line.

However Healy persevered and on 35 minutes his efforts almost doubled Fulham’s lead. The striker raced after a lost cause in QPR’s area and won possession against the odds before teeing up McBride, unmarked in the middle of the area. McBride controlled the ball but failed to gain the pace and direction to beat Camp.

McBride’s goal earned Fulham a on-nil lead going in the second half it was QPR striker Ben Sahar was to turn the tide in the second period with some fine finishing.

QPR1Lawrie Sanchez made one change for the second half, replacing Lee Cook with Moritz Volz. Bocanegra shifted to left back with Konchesky moving forward to left midfield.

Rangers once again made a bright start but failed to find a cutting edge in the final third. On 51 minutes Rangers produced two opportunities to bring the game level. A delivery to the far post swept across goal and evaded Rangers front line. Sahar collected on the far post and fired the ball over the bar from close range.

Two minutes later Brian McBride was sent through on goal following a defensive error by Rangers. 12 yards from goal on the left of the area McBride fired his shot straight at Camp who saved with ease.

On 58 minutes QPR drew level. As the ball was played along the Whites back line Sahar dispossessed Zat Knight on the edge of the area. The striker raced into the area before smashing the ball past Niemi and into the roof of the net.

Five minutes later Sanchez made four changes to the spine of his side. In goal Tony Warner replaced Niemi. Ian Pearce came on for Zat Knight, Bouba Diop replaced Davis in midfield and Collins John came on for Healy.

The home side increased their lead on 68 minutes with another fine finish from Ben Sahar. After winning the ball in the area the striker showed good composure in front of goal and side footed the ball past Niemi into the far corner of the net. Sahar was replaced by Adam Bolder shortly after grabbing his brace.

Sanchez made one further change to his eleven 15 minutes before time with Liam Rosenior replacing Clint Dempsey on the right hand side of midfield.

Collins John almost brought the game level following Paul Konchesky’s surging run down the left. A sweet delivery into the area found John but his downward header from 12 yards was well covered by Camp in goal.

On 81 minutes Rosenior burst down the right flank and produced a cross to the near post. McBride raced in and clipped the ball under Camp. The bounce took the ball flying over the bar and McBride was unfortunate not to add to his first half strike.

On 87 minutes Diop was bundled over 25 yards from goal in a central position. Konchesky sent in a left footed strike into the wall and as full-time approached Fulham’s chances were few and far between.

QPR held on in the final exchanges to earn a 2-1 victory over Fulham. The Whites will now begin their preparations for next Sunday’s Premiership opener against Arsenal.

Fulham Team
Antti Niemi, Chris Baird, Paul Konchesky, Carlos Bocanegra, Zat Knight, Steven Davis, Alexey Smertin, David Healy, Brian McBride, Lee Cook

Substitutes: Tony Warner, Elliot Omozusi, Papa Bouba Diop, Collins John, Liam Rosenior, Moritz Volz, Ian Pearce, Philippe Christanval

QPR Team
Lee Camp, Chris Barker, Zesh Rehman, Damion Stewart, Michael Mancienne, Adam Bolder, Dexter Blackstock, Martin Rowlands, Ben Sahar, Stefan Moore, Simon Walton
Substitutes: Jake Cole (gk), Marcus Bignot, Daniel Nardiello, James Simmonds, Dominic Shimmin, Marc Nygaard, Kieron Minto-St Aimie, Shabazz Baidoo, Stefan Bailey, Sampsa Timoska Fulham