QPR Complete the Double Over Charlton

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QPR beat Charlton 1-0 - getting their first double of the season - in front of their biggest gate of the season (17,000). QPR's only goal came through a first-half Dexter Blackstock goal. QPR move up to 58 points with two games remaining. Updated Table

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Dexter Blackstock continued his rich vein of form with the only goal of the game, as the R's completed their first double of the season in front of a season's high Loftus Road crowd of 17, 035.

The R's front-man notched his fourth goal in five matches, to consign the Addicks to yet another season in the Coca Cola Championship.

Rangers - inspired by the excellent Martin Rowlands - were dominant throughout, with Lee Camp a virtual spectator in the R's goal, as Charlton failed to muster a single noteworthy effort on goal throughout the 90 minutes.

With injury ruling out Patrick Agyemang, Luigi De Canio recalled Angelo Balanta to the starting XI.

Matthew Connolly also returned, at the expense of Michael Mancienne, while Akos Buzsaky took his place amongst the R's substitutes, following his recent ankle injury.

Alan Pardew welcomed back goalkeeper Nicky Weaver, in place of Darren Randolph, while former R's favourite Lee Cook, who is currently on loan at the Addicks from Fulham, started on the left flank.

In a typically feisty start, Hogan Ephraim stung the palms of Weaver, while at the other end, Madjid Bougherra headed over the bar.

The R's were enjoying the lion's share of possession in the opening exchanges and when Connolly and Gavin Mahon exchanged passes, Balanta - after a glorious first touch - blasted the ball wide.

Rangers weren't to be denied though, and when Blackstock dispossessed Paddy McCarthy on the quarter hour, the striker cut back inside on his favoured left foot, before slotting a textbook finish into the bottom right hand corner.

Cook's long-awaited return to W12 lasted just 23 minutes, with the midfielder making way with what appeared to be a knee injury.

McCarthy was having an afternoon to forget and it almost got a lot worse for the Addicks defender on the half hour, when his unfortunate ricochet cannoned inches over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area.

The R's were forced into a change of their own in the 34th minute, as Fitz Hall limped off, and was replaced by Mancienne.

Charlton were struggling to gain any sort of foothold on proceedings and their rather lacklustre display was summed up perfectly five minutes before the break, as Leroy Lita completely missed his kick, as the ball broke to him 18-yards from goal.

Rangers started the second period on the front foot, forcing two early corners; the second of which Balanta headed straight at Weaver.

De Canio introduced fans favourite Buzsaky six minutes into the second half, and when his out-swinging corner was met by the towering Blackstock a minute later, his header faded a yard or so wide of Weaver's left hand upright.

The outstanding Rowlands was the next to fire an effort on goal, as his thunderous 30-yard free-kick flew over, with Weaver seemingly beaten all ends up.

With Charlton fans demanding a change, Pardew did just that on the hour, introducing Chris Iwelumo at the expense of Andy Gray.

The striker almost made the desired impact, only to fire high and wide from close range, after he capitalised on Darren Ambrose's neat cut-back from the by-line.

Play quickly switched to the other end, as Blackstock stung the palms of the overworked Weaver with an opportune effort from the left corner of the six-yard box, before Ephraim glanced a close range header wide.

Four minutes of added time failed to produce any further chances, as the R's claimed bragging rights over their London rivals with yet another home victory.

QPR: Camp, Delaney, Mahon, Stewart, Blackstock, Ainsworth (Buzsaky 51), Rowlands, Connolly, Ephraim (Leigertwood 79, Hall (Mancienne 34), Balanta.
Subs: Crowther, Lee.
Goals: Blackstock 14
Bookings: Delaney 37, Stewart 86, Buzsaky 93

Charlton Athletic: Weaver, Thatcher, Zhi (Semedo 74), McCarthy, Cook (Varney 23), Holland, Gray (Iwelumo 60), Ambrose, Bougherra, Halford, Lita.
Subs: Randolph, Wagstaff.
Bookings: McCarthy 52, Bougherra 75, Varney 84, Iwelumo 92
Referee: Mr T Kettle
Attendance: 17, 035
QPR


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Teams:QPR: Camp, Delaney, Mahon, Stewart, Blackstock, Ainsworth, Rowlands, Connolly, Ephraim, Hall, Balanta.
Subs: Crowther, Mancienne, Buzsaky, Lee, Leigertwood.

Charlton Athletic: Weaver, Thatcher, Zhi, McCarthy, Cook, Holland, Gray, Ambrose, Bougherra, Halford, Lita.
Subs: Randolph, Varney, Iwelumo, Semedo, Wagstaff