Flashback: QPR's Season Opener a Decade Ago

-
One decade ago: Opening Day - Sunderland 1 QPR 0

QPR under Ray Harford and Vinnie Jones, and with new million pound signing, Richard Orde injured before playing a league game, started out at Sunderland.
QPR's team that day: Harper, Heinola, Baraclough, Yates (Slade 80), Ready, Maddix, Murray, Peacock, Rowland, Gallen, Scully. Subs Not Used: Kulcsar, Rose.
By the end of the season, Gerry Francis was back in charge and QPR stayed up only by winning their last game of the season (6-0 against Crystal Palace!) - Final Table


August 8, 1998 - Sunderland 1 QPR 0

By Carl Liddle, PA Sport

Nationwide League Player of the Year Kevin Phillips began where he left off last season by giving Sunderland a winning start to the First Division campaign.

The diminutive striker, who broke the club's post-War scoring record last term with 35 goals, coolly fired home a 75th minute penalty after Ian Baraclough had been sent off for hand-ball.

However, Sunderland's victory was marred by a serious injury to Lee Clark, their £6million-rated midfielder, who has only just recovered from a hernia operation.

He was caught by a bad challenge from Keith Rowland and was stretchered off towards the end of the first half with a suspected broken ankle.

Sunderland boss Peter Reid gave two summer signings their League debuts - keeper Thomas Sorensen and former Bury central defender Paul Butler.

But the match must also have seemed like a debut to left-back Martin Scott, since he missed the vast majority of last season with a serious groin injury.

Michael Gray, whose play-off final penalty failure condemned the Wearsiders to another season in the First Division, reverted to right-back because of injuries to both Darren Holloway and Chris Makin.

QPR boss Ray Harford was forced to do without the injured Iain Dowie and Mike Sheron, who hit two late goals in last season's 2-2 draw.

Sunderland concentrated most of their early attacks down the right, but their first chance of note fell to Republic of Ireland striker Niall Quinn, whose left-foot drive was brilliantly palmed away by Lee Harper for a corner.

The confident visitors then hit back with a right-wing break which ended with Tony Scully's pacy cross just evading the menacing figure of former England Under-21 star Kevin Gallen.

From the resulting corner, taken by Rowland, Steve Yates smashed a low drive goalwards, only for Sorensen to plunge to his left to keep it out.

Sunderland struck back with a high ball into the Rangers box which had the fans screaming for a foul on Quinn.

But they were soon cheering as Allan Johnston struck a brilliant 20-yard drive which scraped the near post after 15 minutes.

Gallen was heavily involved and he should have done better in the 20th minute, when he drove a 10-yard effort straight at the Sunderland keeper after a superb, sweeping attack down the right.

Clark's quick freekick to the right did not look dangerous until Gray struck a 27-yard piledriver which flew inches wide.

Scott was booked for a bad challenge on Scully in the 29th minute, before Rangers midfielder Peacock was himself booked for a late challenge on Butler as the home side pushed forward.

Ten minutes before the break Quinn flung himself forward to head a Phillips cross goalwards, only for it to be deflected for a corner.

QPR were challenging for everything and in the 36th minute a late Rowland tackle saw Clark carried off and the Rangers striker booked.

Reid's concern was clear as Clark was carried down the tunnel with both hands covering his face.

The incident spurred Sunderland to begin the half in determined fashion - but not for the first time they found Harper in commanding form.

However, only a last-ditch challenge by Butler in the 64th minute stopped Rowland opening the scoring.

Sunderland then lost their creativity until moment of madness by Baraclough gifted the home side their penalty. Before Phillips could smash home his season's opener, the Rangers defender was sent off.

Rangers hit back bravely, but when Gallen's low effort struck Sorensen, their last hopes of salvaging a point disappeared.

Teams
Sunderland: Soresen, Gray, Scott, Ball, Craddock, Butler, Summerbee (Bridges 88), Clark (Williams 38), Quinn, Phillips, Johnston.
Subs Not Used: Dichio.
Booked: Scott.
Goals: Phillips 75 pen.
QPR: Harper, Heinola, Baraclough, Yates (Slade 80), Ready, Maddix, Murray, Peacock, Rowland, Gallen, Scully. Subs Not Used: Kulcsar, Rose.
Sent Off: Baraclough (74).
Booked: Peacock, Rowland.
Att: 41,008
Ref: C Foy (St Helens). Match Report