QPR Whip Wolves - Reports and Comments

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A second-half Martin Rowlands goal saw QPR beat WOlves 1-0 before a crowed of just under 13,500. QPR move up to 7th in the table.


QPR OFFICIAL SITE - SOUSA: WE'RE GETTING THERE
- Paulo Sousa hailed his R's side, as Martin Rowlands' stunning second half strike condemned league leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers to a first defeat in nine Championship outings.
- Rowlands scored the only goal of the game on 63 minutes, to cap a excellent team performance in front of the live Sky Sports cameras.
- "I think our intensity in the first half was very good," a delighted Sousa told www.qpr.co.uk.
- "We should have won the match there and then. We had a lot of opportunities to win it, but in the end the goal came in the second half."
- Sousa added: "To beat the team who is top of the league is fantastic. It shows we are moving forward and getting to perfection.
- "We are now creating a lot of chances and we will take them, like Martin did today.
- "Martin has the ability to score great goals like that. He has good technique and quality.
- "We worked very hard and deserved the victory - there is no doubt about that.
- "We are getting better and better, but there is work to do still.
- "The dynamic of the group is very good; the transitions of our game are getting better and better; the message is getting across." QPR


SPORTING LIFE/Andy Sims, PA Sport - McCARTHY: WOLVES HAVE BECOME THE HUNTED
- Wolves manager Mick McCarthy admitted his Coca-Cola Championship leaders are there to be shot at after they crashed to a 1-0 defeat at QPR.
Martin Rowlands' super-strike sent Wolves spinning to a first reverse in nine games and cut their lead at the top to three points.
But McCarthy will not be pressing the panic button despite watching his side collect just one point from their last two outings.
"I don't go in for all that cliche stuff, a team draws a game and loses a game, it happens all the time," he said.
"This has been a tough place to play for as long as I can remember, and they are fired up by the fact that we are top and they have a new manager.
"We are the top team in this division - I'm not saying we're the best, but we are top - and that inspires other teams to play against you and we have got to live with that.
"We are still top. We didn't play well for 50 minutes today but we did play well for 35 minutes and we just could not get a goal back."
Wolves were uncharacteristically jittery at the back, while their 27-goal strikeforce of Chris Iwelumo and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake barely had a sniff.
Rangers, now up to seventh, were good value for their win in what was Paulo Sousa's sternest test since he took over last month.
The former Portugal midfielder passed it with flying colours while McCarthy became the latest victim of the Manager of the Month curse.
Wayne Hennessey had already made fine saves from Patrick Agyemang, Heidar Helguson and Lee Cook, but he could do nothing about Rowlands' 63rd-minute stunner.
The QPR captain collected the ball on the edge of the area and unleashed a vicious, dipping shot which flew over Hennessey and into the back of the net.
Rangers are showing promotion form at home, but are struggling on their travels and have not found the net away from Loftus Road for seven games - a statistic Sousa is confident he can put right.
[SOUSA]
"It was a great performance but more importantly we needed three points," said Sousa.
"I'm proud of the players, they are working very hard and they have beaten the team at the top of the league.
"When you have time to work with the players the team becomes better, and you could see that in this game.
"But our next two games are away, where our performances have not been so good.
"But if my team create as many chances as they did today then we will start to score goals away." Sporting Life


WOLVES OFFICIAL SITE [Mick McCarthy] - You Can't Win Them All
- Mick McCarthy admits it's impossible to win every game after Wolves lost only their fourth of the season at QPR tonight.
- Whilst disappointed to see his team fall thanks to a spectacular second half goal from Martin Rowlands, the boss took a pragmatic approach and insists there'll be no dwelling on the defeat ahead of successive home games with Derby and Barnsley.
- "It's impossible in this league to win every game," said Mick.
- "There's only a hair's breadth between all of us.
- "We've been doing well because our strikers have been scoring goals and this was a rare profligate game for them.
- "A team draws a game and loses a game and I get asked all the clichés about bouncing back for the next game.
- "I heard it all last week and I think it was coming from Birmingham and Sheffield United that maybe they weren't worried about us or were the better team.
- "Well Birmingham have gone out and won their home game but Sheffield United have lost.
- "I hate all the clichéd nonsense but to be honest I can't remember when it was easy to come to QPR.
- "They're never going to let you come here and just go out and play your football and they've now got a classy manager and some very good players.
- "They matched us for 60 minutes of the game and had the better of parts of it before we came back well for the last half hour.
- "I could blame our defending but (Patrick) Agyemang has had a good game and Heidar Helguson is a good player as is Lee Cook on loan from Fulham.
- "They are no mugs by any stretch of the imagination and it was a wonder strike that's won them the game, moments after we had produced our best chance."
- Mick brushed aside suggestions Wolves were suffering as a result of their lofty position in the table and insists all focus will now turn to Derby on Tuesday.
- "We're top of the league at the moment - I'm not saying we're the best team but we're top and that inspires people to play against you even more," he added.
- "There's an added incentive to beat us and we've got to live with that and make sure we cope with it.
- "But that's our first defeat in nine.
- "For the last 35 minutes we've played well and Matt Jarvis has come on and made a difference but when we went one down we couldn't get one back." Wolves


QPR Official Site - QPR 1 Wolves 0
- QPR graced the Sky Sports cameras with a wonderful display of attacking football that blew away Championship pace-setters Wolverhampton Wanderers.
- Martin Rowlands' second goal of the season just past the hour mark gave the R's a 1-0 victory, but Radek Cerny was the hero after three fantastic saves denied Wolves a ninth straight win.
- The match also saw Heidar Helguson make his home debut and the Iceland striker was clearly in the mood to make up for his glaring miss against Crystal Palace a week ago. But despite his best efforts in an encouraging display, he could not find a way past Wayne Hennessy in the Wolves goal.
- For the visit of the League leaders, Rowlands replaced the suspended Mikele Leigertwood, whilst on-loan striker Helguson marked his home debut with a start.
- Damiano Tommasi returned to the bench and he was joined by new-boy Gary Borrowdale and the returning Lee Cook.
- Wolves had a familiar face within their starting XI, with ex-Rangers loanee Michael Mancienne taking up a place alongside Richard Stearman at centre back.
Elsewhere, danger-men Chris Iwelumo and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake continued in attack, whilst Matt Jarvis returned to the squad.
It was home debutant Helguson who had the opening chance. Hogan Ephraim's cross was only just knocked down by Dexter Blackstock and, as Wolves struggled to clear their lines, Helguson stole in and smashed a snapshot over the bar.
Ephraim was the architect for the next Rangers opening. Rowlands picked him out in the centre circle and as he strode on, he played in Patrick Agyemang. Mancienne should've dealt with the pass, but somehow the ball left him in a tangle. Luckily for the loan star, Hennessey pulled off a stunning point-blank save to deny the R's striker.
Wolves, stunned by the early Rangers onslaught, clawed their way back into the contest. Dave Edwards curled a fine left-footed effort narrowly wide of the R's goal, after Gavin Mahon had failed to clear.
Rangers were very much taking the game to the visitors and Blackstock had perhaps the best chance of the match so far on 19 minutes. Damion Stewart's long ball was headed into Helguson's path by Rowlands, and, with an inch-perfect pass, the Iceland international released his strike partner on goal.
As the ball kicked up of the lush Loftus Road surface, the former Saints hit-man could only send his shot over, but Rangers were looking threatening.
However, it was Wolves who nearly made the breakthrough. Peter Ramage's crude challenge on Michael Kightly gave David Jones a chance to show off his free-kick ability. And he came within a whisker of opening the scoring, his left foot kick swerving just off target.
With not even half an hour on the clock, Rangers made the first change, with Blackstock coming off, with Cook his replacement.
Agyemang was clearly revelling in the fact the Sky cameras were in attendance, with every trick he tried coming off. He ran Wolves ragged when he nut-megged Kevin Foley and burst into the box, teeing up Helguson. Unfortunately, the latter could not test Hennessey with a strong enough shot.
Cook found him, moments later, out on the left, and, with Foley once again beaten, the Ghanaian cut inside on his right foot but blazed wide of the target.
With Rangers dominating proceedings, Cook was next in line to try his luck as one-time Watford colleague Helguson found space on the left before cutting the ball back for the substitute.
Cook's drilled shot needed a strong two-handed block from Hennessey and luckily for Wolves, the rebound was cleared.
The second half saw the R's pick up where they left off. A long punt forward caught the Wolves defence flat-footed and Helguson stole in to lash a shot at goal. Incredulously, the ball hit the inside of Hennessey's left foot and somehow flew wide, leaving Helguson in disbelief.
Helguson was left stunned again seconds later as Cook's right-wing cross looked to give the Icelander an easy tap in. That was not meant to be however, as Stearman dove full stretch to poke the ball out for a corner at the last second.
On 55 minutes, Cerny kept the R's in it. Another Jones free-kick looked to be sneaking into the Czech keeper's bottom left-hand corner only for the Rangers Number 1 to dive full-stretch and turn it round the post.
Then suddenly, after 63 minutes, the home side made the breakthrough with skipper Rowlands scoring with a fantastic strike. After scrapping for and winning the ball 25 yards from goal, the Rangers skipper took a look up and hammered a drive that swerved in the air and sailed over the head of Hennessey.
Cerny made it a hat-trick of top-class saves after brilliantly lunging and keeping out a Wolves header from Jarvis's pinpoint cross.
Wolves were firmly on top now and substitute Sam Vokes drew another fine save out of Cerny.
The form of the Czech alongside the dogged determination of Stewart and Kaspars Gorkss beside him saw Rangers hang on, and almost steal another after Samuel Di Carmine fired narrowly wide, to record a stunning victory over the table-toppers.
QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Stewart, Mahon, Blackstock (Cook 27) (Di Carmine 89), Agyemang, Gorkss, Rowlands, Ramage, Ephraim, Helguson (Tommasi 77). Subs: Cole, Borrowdale. Scorers: Rowlands (63) Bookings: Rowlands (82)
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Hennessey, Edwards, Stearman, Kightly, Henry, Ebanks-Blake (Keogh 77), Ward, Jones (Jarvis 57), Iwelumo (Vokes 71), Mancienne, Foley.
Subs: Higgs, Collins. Referee: Mr I G Williamson Attendance: 13,416
QPR Official Site


WOLVES OFFICIAL SITE - Minute-by-Minute
: Off and running at Loftus Road.

2: First chance for the hosts. Stearman is only able to get a half clearance on Ephraim's cross and the ball drops to Helguson who takes a touch to control before firing a shot narrowly over the crossbar.

7: First sniff of an opening for Wolves as Iwelumo wins a flick-on. Ebanks-Blake tries to get on the end of it but is just beaten to it by QPR keeper Cerny who comes out to collect.

8: Big let-off for Wolves as a Hennessey save keeps the scores level. Mancienne slips as he tries to cut out Ephraim's through pass which leaves Agyemang clean through on goal. The QPR striker steadies himself for the chance but Hennessey is out to narrow the angle and makes an instinctive block.

9: Pressure for QPR now with a couple of corners, but Mancienne makes amends by heading the first clear and then Helguson heads wide.

12: Wolves' turn to go close. Iwelumo and Ebanks-Blake do some useful foraging inside the area and the latter lays the ball off for Edwards who picks his spot with a left foot curler but sees the effort flash inches wide.

14: Wolves win a free kick on the left which is swung in by Kightly. Cerny gets a punch on it and from a difficult chance Stearman loops the ball high and onto the roof of the net.

15: More problems for Wolves caused by Agyemang as he outwits both Ward and Mancienne down the right to go clear. His attempted pullback into the area is snaffled by Henry and the danger passes.

20: Helguson is being allowed to pull the strings from his position in behind the front two and another precise through ball sends Blackstock away. The ball takes a bobble just as Blackstock tries to shoot and as a result his effort is sliced wide of the target.

22: Wolves win a free kick right on the edge of the area as Ramage brings down Kightly. The resulting free kick is agonisingly wide. Jones taps it to Edwards who controls for Jones to whip in a left footed curler which just drifts slightly too far wide of the far post.

27: Slight moment of panic for Wolves as Hennessey comes for a free kick and appears to bump into Stearman enroute. Referee Williamson however has seen an infringement perhaps by Blackstock and awards Wolves a free kick. It's Blackstock's last action of the game as - presumably injured - he makes way for Cook.

34: More QPR pressure as Wolves are hemmed in around their own box. From the last of those Aygemang picks the ball up on the left and goes past Ward before centring for Helguson. The Rangers' striker sends in a left foot shot through a sea of bodies but Hennessey manages to gather at the second attempt.

38: Agyemang now goes past Foley on the left to cut inside before planting a shot wide of the target.

41: Another good chance for the home side. Helguson beats the offside trap down the left and squares for Cook who takes a touch before letting fly with a stinging left foot shot which Hennessey beats away.

42: But Wolves are also producing chances of their own and Jones flashes a long range shot just wide. Several Wolves players suggest the ball took a deflection but after looking for guidance from his assistant referee Williamson awards a goal kick.

HALF TIME: QPR 0-0 Wolves.

46: Back underway.

48: Another Hennessey save, this time from Helguson who got in behind the Wolves defence but saw his effort blocked by the Wolves keeper.

50: First chance of the half for Wolves but Edwards fires over from Ebanks-Blake's layoff. At the other end it needs a fine Stearman clearance to prevent Cook's cross reaching Helguson.

52: Helguson heavily involved again but heads wide from a deep free kick.

56: Wolves go mighty close at the other end after Kightly wins a free kick following being body-checked by Stewart. Jones tries his luck with a free kick which is destined for the bottom corner but for a fine save from Cerny who claws it behind.

58: First change for Wolves as Jones makes way for Jarvis, the winger enjoying his first taste of action for almost ten weeks following a hamstring injury.

62: Jarvis's first chance to stretch his legs almost creates an opening as he outpaces the full back and sends in a cross. Ebanks-Blake almost gets the ball under control.

62: It's Jarvis again causing havoc as he skips inside two defenders and puts a cross onto Ebanks-Blake's head. The striker is unable to get a clean connection on the ball and Cerny saves.

63: GOAL: ROWLANDS 1-0. And as action switches straight to the other end it's the hosts who take the lead with a spectacular goal. Rowlands picks the ball up 30 yards out and lets fly with a swirling drive which beats Hennessey.

68: Jarvis embarks on another dangerous run but the referee's assistant adjudges the ball had crossed the line before he got his cross in.

72: Another Wolves change with Vokes on for Iwelumo.

73: Mancienne goes into the book, the first of the day, for persistent fouling. From Rowlands' free kick Helguson wins the header at the back post but it's straight at Hennessey.

74: Wolves trying to rouse themselves for an equaliser and Kightly's inviting cross is headed clear by a QPR defender. Jarvis picks up the loose ball but his shot is blocked.

75: Vokes goes close as Jarvis finds him with a cross but the substitute's header is turned behind by Cerny.

78: Switch for QPR with Tommasi coming on for Helguson. Wolves also make a change with Keogh on for Ebanks-Blake.

80: Keogh does well in an aerial challenge and the ball drops for Vokes who catches a half volley powerfully but sees it gobbled up by Cerny.

83: Rowlands goes into the book for a trip on Jarvis.

84: Another Wolves attack as Foley's cross is met by Vokes. The ball flies wide from his header but the Wolves players are screaming for a corner as it appears to take a deflection. Their appeals fall on deaf ears and a goal kick is given.

88: It's frantic attacking now from Wolves but they just don't seem to be able to create a clear-cut opening.

89: Final change for QPR as Di Carmine comes on for Cook, himself a substitute earlier in the game.

90+1: Jarvis goes down inside the area but it appears to be a slip and the referee waves play-on.

90+3: Wolves decide to take a short corner which comes to nothing and as QPR break substitute Samuel Di Carmine is only inches away from a second goal.

FULL TIME: QPR 1-0 Wolves
Wolves

TABLE
1 Wolverhampton 21 18 47
2 Birmingham 21 12 44
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3 Reading 21 24 40
4 Burnley 21 5 36
5 Cardiff 21 7 33
6 Sheff Utd 21 9 32
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7 QPR 21 -1 32
8 Preston 21 1 31
9 Crystal Palace 21 5 30
10 Swansea 21 3 30
11 Plymouth 21 0 29
12 Sheff Wed 21 -9 29
13 Ipswich 20 8 28
14 Bristol City 21 -2 27
15 Blackpool 21 -6 27
16 Derby 21 -4 25
17 Coventry 21 -4 25
18 Barnsley 21 -5 24
19 Southampton 21 -10 22
20 Watford 21 -5 20
21 Norwich 20 -7 20
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22 Doncaster 21 -14 18
23 Nottm Forest 21 -12 17
24 Charlton 21 -13 17
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