- QPR REPORT...UPDATED THROUGHOUT THE DAY: Checkout the TWO QPR Reports! This QPR Report site. And, the second combination messageboard and quasi-blog QPR Report Messageboard. If you're interested in constantly-updated news re anything QPR-related and also QPR nostalgia, this site has both - along with assorted eclectic non-QPR football material.
- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER! .... QPR REPORT: UPDATED THROUGHOUT THE DAY
QPR 4 Preston 0 (Check Back for Match Reports and Managerial Comments)
QPR won 4-0 today before a crowd of a little under 13,000 (which included Club Chairman, his first game since the F1 "issue.") Flavio Briatore: An early goal by Taarabt followed by second half goals from Buzsaky (penalty), Simpson and Routledge. UPDATED TABLE
(Photo Courtesy Preston's site)- "Home Video" of the Penalty...Video of The Penalty from Another angle
SPORTING LIFE - QPR 4 Preston 0
- Adel Taarabt gave QPR chairman Flavio Briatore something to smile about with a wonder strike to help see off Preston.
- Briatore had shrugged off the doubts surrounding his ownership of the club to take his place in the Loftus Road directors' box for the first time since the infamous 'crashgate' scandal came to light.
- And the Italian, who is still the subject of the Football League's fit and proper person enquiry after being thrown out of Formula One, was on his feet after 11 minutes when one of his glamour signings produced a stunning goal to spark a Rangers romp.
- Tottenham loanee Taarabt collected the ball on the left wing, strolled inside past a couple of weak Preston challenges and, from 25 yards out, floated a superb curler over Andy Lonergan and into the corner of the net.
- Taarabt was branded 'silly' by manager Jim Magilton after appearing to gesture towards disgruntled supporters during Rangers' last home match, but he made his peace in the perfect fashion.
- Akos Buzsaky added a second from the penalty spot after the break and further strikes from Jay Simpson and Wayne Routledge saw Rangers reignite their promotion bid and dent Preston's fine start to the season.
- They could have been out of sight in the first half but for the efforts of Lonergan, who denied Routledge twice in the first half when the winger was clean through.
- Buzsaky also grazed the crossbar with a snap-shot from 20 yards just before the break.
- Preston had their moments in the opening period, with Radek Cerny saving well from Neil Mellor and Ross Wallace shooting narrowly over.
- At the start of the second half Lonergan came to Preston's rescue again with a fine diving save to keep out a fierce drive from Gary Borrowdale.
- Rangers were given a warning as the hour mark approached when Chris Brown was left alone in the penalty area and his angled drive was tipped round the post by Cerny.
- But the hosts finally doubled their lead in the 63rd minute when Mellor clumsily felled Taarabt in the box and Buzsaky stepped up to tuck away the penalty.
- Ten minutes later Simpson raced on to Buzsaky's pass and side-footed the ball past Lonergan and in off the post.
- Routledge finally beat Lonergan from outside the area for the fourth with three minutes to go, and there was even time for sub Rowan Vine to clip the bar in a dominant display from the hosts." Sporting Life
QPR Official Site - MAGILTON: 'OUR BEST YET'
- Jim Magilton waxed lyrical as the R's trounced play-off contenders Preston North End in emphatic style at Loftus Road.
- Goals from Adel Taarabt, Akos Buzsaky, Jay Simpson and Wayne Routledge clinched the 4-0 win, to the delight of the R's gaffer.
- "That's our best performance so far without any doubt - probably the best I've seen from one of my sides in my time in management," he told www.qpr.co.uk.
- "We took our opportunities today; from the first whistle I thought we were excellent.
- "The victory is as much for Martin Rowlands as it is for everyone else connected to the Club.
- "We said we wanted to put on a performance he could be proud of and we did just that.
- "We'd like to dedicate that win to him."
- Magilton added: "We applied ourselves really well - we looked like we could score at will.
- "To win in the manner we did, against a very good side, is just outstanding - simply outstanding."
- Magilton paid tribute to the performance of all his players, but when asked about Taarabt's opening goal, added: "Adel is a genius.
- "He's a dying breed in today's game. He can beat men with ease. He just darts past them.
- "Very few players can go by players like he can, but he has outstanding ability.
- "His finish was simply out of this world."
- Despite the margin of the final scoreline, Magilton warned against complacency and insists his side will have to do it all over again when Reading travel to Loftus Road on Tuesday night.
- "Let's not get carried away," he said.
- "We've got to follow this up on Tuesday with another performance and victory and if we do that I'll be delighted." QPR
Sporting Life/Andy Sims Press Association - Preston's Alan Irvine
"...Preston boss Alan Irvine was left to rue a missed chance from striker Chris Brown with the score at 1-0.
Brown found acres of space in the QPR penalty area only to see Radek Cerny tip his angled shot around the post.
"Goals change games," said Irvine. "That could have been a key moment. But QPR were the better team overall.
"They've got a lot of good players and I expect them to be challenging, certainly in the top six, this season." Sporting Life
Daily Mail - QPR 4 Preston North End 0: Adel Taarabt's wonder strike inspires Rangers romp at Loftus Road
- Rodney Marsh was at Loftus Road to witness an Adel Taarabt goal he would have been more than happy to call his own.
It was a virtuoso effort that had Rangers celebrating what was to be the start of a rout.
- For those Rangers fans who have a long association with the west London outpost it would have brought back memories of the good old days of Marsh, Bowles, Francis and co.
- Taarabt's strike set up a victory and a performance compelling enough to perhaps soothe troubled QPR chairman Flavio Briatore whose presence at future Rangers matches will be decided by the Football League after being outlawed by Formula One racing.
Taarabt's 11th minute strike was exceptional and confirmation of why Tottenham worked so hard to sign him from his French club Lens and why Rangers were desperate to take him on loan.
The North African is not a prolific scorer but when they are as well executed as this then they are worth the wait.
There was hardly a hint of danger when he chested the ball a step or two inside the Preston half.
From then on the movement developed a pace of its own as he first swept past Richard Chaplow then cheekily nutmegged Veliche Shumulikoski.
He was still some way out but Preston failed to respond well enough to his run and meekly allowed him to continue and then power a shot from 20 yards which left Andy Lonergan unable to do anything other than watch it flash past.
Rangers had looked the more determined side in those early minutes and went on to dominate the rest of the first half.
They should and would have gone into the interval with a second goal had Wayne Routledge not missed an easy chance in the 37th minute.
He was set up in front of goal with only Lonergan to beat but drove the ball at the 'keeper who had anticipated the danger and snuffed it out.
Akos Buzasky made the most of another opportunity five minutes from the interval when his shot would have beaten Lonergan but flew just an inch or two over the bar.
This was a disappointing, tepid performance from a Preston side who consider themselves contenders for a play off place if not better.
It was Rangers though who went on to control the match and boost there own position as a team who should be there or thereabouts in the battle for the step up.
Gary Borrowdale was unlucky in the 50th minute with a shot from 24yards which this time Lonergan managed to touch over for a corner.
- But twelve minutes later Buzsaky scored the all important second goal from the spot when referee Russell Booth awarded Rangers a penalty after Neil Mellor had blocked Taarabt.
Jay Simpson guided in number three with a low shot at the far post in the 74th minute and Wayne Routledge hit the fourth with another long range effort five minutes from time.
It was to end a superb afternoon for Rangers and a worrying one for Preston and manager Alan Irvine. Mail
QPR OFFICIAL SITE: QPR 4 Preston 0
- Rangers claimed their second home win of the season in as many matches with a magnificent four-star display against Preston North End.
- Adel Taarabt gave the R's the lead in some style, bending a lovely shot into the top corner to give Rangers the opening advantage.
- And Taarabt was involved in the R's second, after being brought down for a penalty after the break.
- Akos Buzsaky made no mistake with the spot-kick, drilling home into the bottom left-hand corner to give Rangers a maximum return in front of the watching Flavio Briatore.
- And the points were safe not long from the end when Jay Simpson finished off a brilliant move, slotting home when played in by Buzsaky. Wayne Routledge added a fourth with a stunning drive.
- Rangers boss Jim Magilton made four changes from the side that suffered a 2-0 defeat at Swansea City last time out - though all were enforced adjustments.
- Martin Rowlands, of course, missed out after learning that he will miss the remainder of the campaign with a serious knee injury, whilst Ben Watson was absent through suspension.
- So with that, Alejandro Faurlin and Gavin Mahon came into the middle of the midfield. Elsewhere, Rowan Vine was rested, meaning Taarabt slotted into the side.
- Peter Ramage replaced Mikele Leigertwood, who missed out with a virus.
- Radek Cerny lined up in goal for Rangers, behind a back four of Ramage, Kaspars Gorkss, Damion Stewart and Gary Borrowdale.
- In midfield, Buzsaky and Taarabt occupied the wing positions either side of Faurlin and Mahon.
- Simpson partnered Routledge - who was taking up an unfamiliar role in attack - up front for the R's.
- This was going to be no formality for Rangers, especially given the start that high-flying North End have had under Alan Irvine, lying 5th in the Coca-Cola Championship before the match.
- And given that, you could understand why the opening exchanges were tight to say the least.
- Though Rangers, who were keen to diminish any memories of a defeat last time out in South Wales, were unfortunate when they fashioned the first opportunity of the game.
- Mahon was in the instigator, sending a delightful through ball from 25-yards out for Taarabt. Though, unfortunately for the Spurs loan man, Andy Lonergan in the Preston goal did well to claim the ball just before he could get to it.
- The R's were showing signs that they were starting to stamp their authority on the match, none more so than when they took an 11th minute lead - and how.
- After a goal kick from Cerny, Taarabt chested the ball down before turning, and the rest was pure class from thereon in.
- Fully 30 yards from the goal, Taarabt sent in a curling shot that beat Lonergan all ends up before finding the top right-hand corner of the net.
- It was reminiscent of Buzsaky's second against Barnsley in the R's last encounter in W12, and the home side were a goal to the good.
- Buoyed by their opening goal, Rangers set about increasing a 1-0 lead. Lonergan did well to get down low to this left after an initial mistake from Michael Hart allowed Routledge to shoot.
- Routledge was playing more than a part in the encounter. And, after a dazzling run down the left saw the winger beat a countless number of players, only a Neill Collins block could prevent him finding the net from close range.
- The home side were now finding their groove - none more so than when Taarabt sent a low effort just wide after good play with Buzsaky.
- And moments later, the hosts had their best chance to date to increase their lead. After a North End free-kick was cleared, Taarabt broke at pace.
- Running at the visitors' defence, he played what looked to be an expert pass to put Routledge through on goal, though the ball just evaded the midfielder and was cleared to safety.
- Soon after, it was Preston who had their first real opportunity to score, but Neil Mellor could only fire straight at Cerny when played in by Richard Chaplow.
- North End were not giving Rangers too much to worry about at the back, though Ross Wallace was unlucky when he sent a shot from just outside the box over after a pass from Velice Shumulikoski.
- At the other end, the R's should have put the game firmly in their control - especially when Routledge, after being played through on goal by Buzsaky, could only fire straight at Lonergan.
- Just before the break, Buzsaky could have given Rangers a second when he sent in a thunderbolt of a shot on the half volley from fully 25-yards out, but his effort shaved the top of the crossbar and went to safety just before half time.
- This was a case of so far, so good from Rangers. Magilton, therefore, would have looked for more of the same from his charges in the second half.
- And he got just that. After some neat passing, Borrowdale received the ball some way from goal before sending in a rasping effort, though Lonergan expertly dived to his right to palm the ball away for a corner.
- From the resulting set-piece, the ball again fell to Borrowdale after a clearance. The left-back sent over a pinpoint cross to Gorkss, but the Latvian international could only head wide.
- The match was becoming somewhat of an end-to-end encounter, and that was highlighted when, after breaking at pace from a Preston corner, Simpson could only fire straight at Lonergan after good work again the down flank from Routledge.
- Moments later, this time it was North End on the attack, and only a brilliant, low save from Cerny could prevent Chris Brown from equalising for the away side.
- It was a save that proved all important for Rangers, as not long after that block from Cerny, they were two goals to the good in the 65th minute - this time from the penalty spot.
- Some good work from Routledge down the right saw him send over a centre that was headed away, but not entirely clear.
- On the edge of the area, Taarabt received the ball before being felled when trying to beat his man.
- In the absence of Rowlands, there were a whole host of R's players who were keen to try and take the spot-kick - none more so than Buzsaky.
- And it was the Magical Magyar who stepped up, coolly thumping the ball past Lonergan to put Rangers two up.
- If the game wasn't safe by then, it certainly was come the 75th minute when Simpson added a third.
- Again, some neat, slick passing from Rangers saw the ball fall to Buzsaky, who flicked on for Simpson. The Arsenal loanee wasn't going to pass on this opportunity, sliding his effort past Lonergan.
- The rout was then completed in the 86th minute thanks to the superb Routledge - and it was probably just rewards for his instrumental part in the match.
- Driving from midfield Routledge fired in a rasping, low drive that gave Lonergan simply no chance, as Rangers took the points.
- QPR: Cerny, Ramage, Stewart, Mahon, Routledge (Ainsworth 87), Buzsaky (Agyemang 66), Gorkss, Faurlin, Simpson (Vine 66), Borrowdale, Taarabt. Subs not used: Heaton, Hall, Alberti, Harris.
Goals: Taarabt (11), Buzsaky (Pen 63), Simpson (75), Routledge (86).
Preston North End: Lonergan, Hart, Chaplow, Mawene, Collins, Sedgwick (Parry 64), Shumulikoski (Carter 65), Brown (Parkin 65), Jones, Wallace, Mellor.
Subs not used: Chilvers, Henderson, Nolan, Elliott.
Referee: Mr R Booth Attendance: 12, 810 QPR
- Preston Official Site Minute-by-Minute
Preston Official Site
- Preston North End's first visit to London this season ended in disappointment as they came up against a QPR side on red hot form.
- Alan Irvine's men suffered only their second away defeat of the campaign as goals from Adel Taarabt, Akos Buzsacky, Jay Simpson and Wayne Routledge condemned his side to a 4-0 loss.
- North End, who were sporting the red away jersey for the first time this season, welcomed back Michael Hart at right back with Billy Jones swapping over to the left hand side. Veliche Shumulikoski, who had returned from international duty with Macedonia on Thursday, slotted into central midfield with Richard Chaplow.
- There was a cagey opening to the game with QPR probing the Lilywhites' back four but the first chance fell to Chris Brown whose well struck volley from outside of the penalty flew over Radek Cerny's crossbar.
Preston needed to be alert soon after when Rangers rallied up the other end and Gavin Mahon threaded a teasing ball through the heart of North End's defence but Hart was alerted to the danger and snuffed out the pass.
However, things were to get even more uncomfortable for North End in the ninth minute when Taarabt cut inside from the left touchline and unleashed a curling effort from 30 yards that flew past Lonergan into the top corner.
Irvine's men had to react but nearly found themselves two goals down soon after when Hart sold his goalkeeper short with a loose back pass. Luckily for the returning Hart, Lonergan was quickly off of his line to spare the full back's blushes.
QPR were continuing to pester Preston's defence and the Lilywhites were finding it hard to keep tabs on Taarabt and Routledge on each wing. The game was very open which was suiting the home side but halfway through the first half, North End were beginning to get a feel for the game with Neil Mellor and Ross Wallace beginning to look dangerous.
Mellor was close to levelling the game in the 31st minute after Richard Chaplow broke from midfield and laid the ball off to the striker but his powerful left foot strike was hit straight at Cerny. Minutes later from a similar position, Shumulikoski found space outside of QPR's penalty area and laid the ball off to Wallace who saw his strike whistle over the crossbar.
This game was beginning to open up again and Rangers carved open Preston's defence again and Routledge saw his guided shot superbly saved by the feet of Lonergan, who looked keen to impress again wearing the armband.
Towards the end of the half, Routledge's team mate Buzsacky came even closer to extending his side's lead when his driven shot beat a standing Lonergan but just flew over the crossbar.
Despite this pressure, Irvine's men continued to find the odd counter attack and did come close to an equaliser through Mellor who had his rasping shot blocked en-route to goal.
But in the 45th minute, Jones had possibly North End's closest chance after he recieved the ball from Chris Sedgwick outside if the penalty area but Cerny got down early and saved to deny the visitors and equaliser before the break.
The second half started similarly to the first with Brown having the first effort on goal. Jones nodded down to Mellor from Shumulikoski's free kick and Mellor fed the ball to Brown who again volleyed just over the crossbar. But again QPR were going straight up the other end and trying their luck from range and Lonergan was called into action once more producing a fine one handed save to deny left back Gary Borrowdale from distance.
North End were still looking vulnerable when QPR were on the break but again, Brown was determined to steady the ship for North End. The forward was close to equalising again for Preston when he linked up with strike partner Mellor but struck his shot just wide of the post.
Nevertheless, this missed chance was to be costly for the visiting side as Rangers were awarded a penalty in the 63rd minute after Taarabt was tripped inside the box. Buzsacky stepped up and fired his side into a comfortable two goal lead.
Irvine was forced to act and brought on Paul Parry, Darren Carter and Jon Parkin to try and change the game. This was proving to be difficult against a QPR side who were now playing with their tales up.
The game was soon out of reach for North End in the 74th minute when Youl Mawene let the ball to roll across his body allowing striker Jay Simpson to nip in and side foot the ball into the bottom corner.
The Lilywhites afternoon got worse in the 85th minute when Routledge found space in the centre of the park, ran at the Preston defense and drove the ball into the bottom corner.
North End will hope to bounce back from this defeat when they travel to Hillsborough on Tuesday night to take on Bryan Laws' Sheffield Wednesday. Preston
Lancashire Evening Post/Dave Seddon - QPR 4 Preston 0
- Preston North End's trip to the capital ended in bitter disappointment as they were well beaten by Queens Park Rangers.
Alan Irvine's men rarely looked like getting anything at Loftus Road and they slipped to their heaviest Championship reverse of the campaign.
- Adel Taarabt set QPR on their way with a stunning strike early on, before three second-half goals saw the hosts romp to victory.
Akos Buzsaky hit the second from the penalty spot, Jay Simpson and Wayne Routledge completing the scoring late on.
Chances at the other end were few and far between, North End's attacking play poor to say the least.
QPR's opener came in the 11th minute, and while a quality finish from Taarabt, he was allowed to move forward far too easily to get into a shooting position.
He cut in from the left and curled a right-foot shot into the far top corner from 25 yards beyond the despairing dive of Andrew Lonergan.
Three minutes later, a slip from Michael Hart, making his first league start of the season, gave Simpson a sight of goal, but Lonergan was alert to the danger and blocked with his legs.
At the other end, Hart's cross from the right picked out Chris Brown in the box, but his header went straight at keeper Radek Cerny.
Neil Mellor drove a shot from the left side of the box into Cerny's gloves, while Ross Wallace was only just too high with a curling effort as North End looked for a way back into the game.
Lonergan saved North End's bacon in the 38th minute after the nippy Routledge shrugged off a challenge from Neill Collins to leave himself clear in the box.
But the PNE keeper, who signed a new contract on Wednesday, saved with his feet.
Hungarian winger Buzsaky cracked a first-time shot just over the bar four minutes before the break.
North End had a shout for a penalty waved away in the 42nd minute when a Mellor shot looked to hit Damion Stewart on the arm.
But referee Russell Booth signalled it had struck the defender on the chest.
Six minutes into the second half, Lonergan pulled off another top drawer save, this time to deny Buzsaky.
He let fly with a 25-yard shot which the keeper tipped behind at full stretch, Lonergan later producing a more routine save to hold a low shot from Simpson.
Brown had North End's clearest opening just before the hour, but his low angled shot was pushed behind by Cerny.
QPR went 2-0 ahead in the 63rd minute after Mellor tripped Taarabt in the box, referee Booth pointing straight to the spot.
Up stepped Buzsaky to hammer the penalty low into the corner.
It was 3-0 in the 75th minute, hesitancy from Youl Mawene just outside the box allowing Simpson to steal in and curl a low shot into the net off the inside of the far post.
The fourth arrived five minutes from time, the impressive Routledge advancing from midfield before finishing with a shot from 20 yards.
Lancashire Evening Post
- Feel Free to Comment on QPR Report Messageboard
- Prior to today's Victory: QPR were The "Form Team in the Championship (Second only to Newcastle)
- [Earlier: Flavio Briatore considers attending QPR v Preston Game (For what it's worth: Briatore was in London a couple of days ago.
- Thirty-Nine Years Ago: Andy McCulloch made his QPR Debut and Rodney Marsh (who will be in the club shop today, signing "Hooped Dreams") got a hatrick
- [Rodney Marsh Returned to The Club Shop Today
- Rodney Marsh Turns Sixty-Five: Memories, Photos, Videos]
- Preston Previews
- Ex-QPR Loanee Hits Out at Roy Keane
- FA Youth Cup First Round Draw (The "big clubs" such as QPR get a bye for the First Round)
- Today's Birthdays: Maurice Doyle (40) and Jim Smith (69)
- Clarke Carlisle on His Ex-Drinking Problem
- Coach Promotes Team Lip Kissing
- How Portsmouth Got Into Such Financial Trouble
- Hate in Football
- Football Against Racism Week: October 15-27
- Helguson Not Yet Fit
- QPR's New Sponsor, Toyo: Who Are Toyo? (Various Possibilities - If anyone actually knows for sure...]
- Recalling The Appointment of QPR's Global Ambassador
- Happy Birthday to the (QPR) Tiger Cubs
- Assessing The Food at Loftus Road (and Other Football Clubs)
- Flashback III: Thirty-Five Years Ago - Dave Sexton Appointed QPR Manager
- The Mouth of Maradona
- Rowlands ACL Injury Confirmed
- Richard Langley Trialing at Mansfield
- List of Countries Now Qualified for the World Cup
- QPR1st Wants Meeting With The Club
[- Note: The Club's last Fan Forum was in April 2007 - almost 900 days ago and before Briatore/Ecclestone et al took over]
- Harry Redknapp Hires a Barrister (same barrister as used by Dave Morris in "The Trial")
- 2009-2010 Managerial Departures
