Sousa's Sweet Revenge: Swansea Beat Nine Man QPR - Compilation of Match Reports & Managerial Comments

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Swansea 2 QPR 0 - Reports and Comments and Photos

- Photos from Swansea 2 QPR 0 ----- Post-Swansea: Updated League Table


Sousa's Perspective - Swansea Official Site - Simply the best, says proud Paulo
- Swans boss Paulo Sousa felt his side played some of their best football of the season as he put one over on his old QPR side at the Liberty Stadium.
- Goals from Mark Gower and Lee Trundle earned the Swans a 2-0 win to extend their unbeaten run to five games and push them up into 14th place in the Championship.
- "In some parts of the game we played our best football of the season,'' beamed Paulo. "I am so proud of them.
- "It's always nice to beat your old side. As a player I always tended to win when I came up against my former teams; now I've done it as a manager.
- "I was told Swansea hadn't beaten QPR in the league since 1955, so it was about time we changed that.
- "It was an important win against a good quality team looking for promotion. QPR came with a lot of confidence on the back of some good results.
- "It was a great show because my players understood the right moments to win the game. We kept possession well and chose the right moments to take advantage of their nine men.
- "It is a great step for us and an important three points going into the international break.''
- Paulo also paid tribute to Mark Gower who finally scored his first league goal in 46 attempts.
- "It's all been a question of confidence with Mark,'' he added. "We've always believed in him and we've been working hard with him because before he came here he scored a lot of goals with Southend.
- "I hope this goal will help him believe in himself a lot more, because he's a quality player.''
- But while his goalscorers will make the headlines over the weekend, Paulo gave a special mention to his goalkeeper, Dorus de Vries, who pulled off two tremendous saves after the break with the game still goalless.
- "When we need Dorus he is always there for us,'' he pointed out. "They were two special saves at important moments in the game.''
- QPR manager, Jim Magilton, added: "We started really well but should have scored in the first half.
- "Swansea came out much better after the interval, but their keeper still had to make a couple of great saves to stop us from taking the lead.
- "It was two influential players who were dismissed and we carried one or two others, but we still tried to play positive football despite the setbacks.
- "I felt comfortable for the opening half hour but that lack of a cutting edge has cost us." Swansea Official Site


SPORTING LIFE - SOUSA PLEASED TO BEAT OLD CLUB
- Paulo Sousa enjoyed his reunion with Queens Park Rangers as Swansea secured a 2-0 victory in an eventful game on Saturday.
- The Swans took full advantage as Rangers were reduced to nine men, with Mark Gower breaking the deadlock in the 74th minute and substitute Lee Trundle sealing the points five minutes from time.
- Martin Rowlands had received his marching orders eight minutes after half-time and Ben Watson followed him late on to leave the visitors up against it.
- For Sousa the victory was particularly sweet after he was sacked by the London club in April.
- "It was good to get a win against my old club but it was even better to meet up with my old players," he said.
- "It is important to beat those teams who are going for promotion as it shows you can win against quality.
- "Today's victory was important with the international break coming up but for 30 minutes it was difficult against them.
- "We took full advantage of being against nine players but we are an honest team and never went out looking for yellow cards."
- Play was evenly matched for an hour, with both sides passing the ball about quickly and to good effect, but the final pass was often poor and few goal chances opened up.
- Swansea welcomed back Darren Pratley and Leon Britton to their midfield after spells out injured and it certainly had the desired effect as the home side began to look more like their old selves passing the ball around at pace.
- The game changed in the 53rd minute when Rangers skipper Rowlands received a second yellow card after being booked in the first half.
- Trundle was sent on after an hour in an attempt to open up the 10 men but worse was to follow for Rangers when Watson was booked twice in five minutes to leave the visitors playing the final 13 minutes with only nine men.
- Nathan Dyer, who was prominent down the Swansea right all afternoon, sped down the flank in the 85th minute and crossed low to Trundle, who side-footed home from close range.
- Dyer was given plenty of opportunities to show his speed down the wing and, with the defence in fine form, they fully deserved the victory.
- Rangers manager Jim Magilton rued his side's failure to take their chances.
- "We started really well but should have scored in the first half," he said.
- "Swansea came out much better after the interval but their keeper still had to make a couple of great saves to stop us from taking the lead.
- "It was two influential players who were dismissed and today we carried one or two others but we still tried to play positive football despite the setbacks.
- "I felt comfortable for the opening half hour but that lack of a cutting edge has cost us." Sporting Life


QPR Official Site - MAGILTON: 10 SECONDS OF MADNESS
- Jim Magilton pulled no punches in his assessment of Rangers' 2-0 defeat against Swansea City this afternoon.
- The R's looked in control of tight affair at The Liberty Stadium, only for Martin Rowlands and soon after, Ben Watson, to be given their marching orders - both for second bookable offences.
- Swansea made their numerical advantage count late on through Mark Gower and then Lee Trundle to hand Paulo Sousa's men victory, and Magilton admitted Rangers' inability to take their chances ultimately cost them.
- He told www.qpr.co.uk: "We started the game really, really well, controlling possession and creating chances.
- "But we didn't score when we had the opportunities, and I know it's obvious to say, but red cards and goals change games.
- "We had one or two chances through Wayne Routledge and Jay Simpson in the first half, but then the match turned lacklustre.
- "It really petered out for the last 15 minutes of the half, but Swansea just about edged it in that period."
- Magilton added: "At the start of the second half we were great from the first whistle. Their goalkeeper made two miracle saves, and then of course in 10 seconds, following Routledge's chance, the course of the game changed.
- "Martin Rowlands was probably a little bit rash - and with two bookings, he has to go. It was always going to be difficult after that."
- Without naming names, Magilton was somewhat critical of a few individual performances, commenting: "One or two of the lads' heads were still at St. James' Park, maybe they looked at the press reports after the game and lorded it up.
- "We weren't as incisive as we have been, but we had to carry one or two today, which really disappoints me."
- However, although disappointed by the defeat, Magilton reiterated his delight at how his side have progressed in September - and insists Rangers will come back as hungry as ever after the upcoming international break.
- "It's really tough to accept, because September was a great month for us. But we move on, the international break probably comes at the right time." QPR


Sporting Life: Swansea 2 QPR 0
- Paulo Sousa gained revenge against his former employers with victory over nine-man QPR to extend Swansea's unbeaten run in the Coca-Cola Championship to five games.
- Sousa was coming up against Rangers for the first time since his contract at Loftus Road was terminated back in April, and it was he who had the last laugh.
- After an opening 45 minutes which promised plenty but ultimately delivered just one tame effort on target, the second half provided far more entertainment.
- Swans keeper Dorus De Vries was called upon to make two stunning saves before R's captain Martin Rowlands saw red for a second bookable offence. And from then on the game swayed in the home side's favour.
- Mark Gower converted Angel Rangel's great cross 16 minutes from time and after QPR midfielder Ben Watson was also shown a second yellow card, Lee Trundle wrapped up all three points with his second goal in three games.
- The triumph ended Jim Magilton's six-match unbeaten run in the league and provided Swans with their first league victory over QPR since 1965.
- Akos Buzsaky came close to opening the scoring after just three minutes at a sunny but blustery Liberty Stadium, finding the roof of the net with a curling effort from the edge of the penalty area.
- A clearly confident R's side, on a high as a result of their impressive form of late, soon settled into their stride and Wayne Routledge was next to go close from 20 yards.
- After some patient build-up play, Stephen Dobbie forced Swansea's closest attempt, and arguably the closest of the first half, when his deflected effort at the near post flew narrowly wide.
- On-loan Arsenal striker Jay Simpson then fired off target at the other end with QPR enjoying their best chances on the counter, although neither goalkeeper had yet been forced to make a save of any note.
- Despite the best efforts of both sides it was becoming evidently clear that a goal for either would really bring the game to life.
- Swans midfielder Darren Pratley fired wide while Dobbie drilled straight at Radek Cerny - the first effort of the game on target - as the home side applied pressure in the closing stages of an opening 45 minutes which they had just about shaded.
- In stark contrast to the first half, De Vries was called upon to make a superb save just four minutes after the restart.
- Watson's corner was flicked on at the near post and the Swans keeper denied Simpson with an instinctive reflex save from close range.
- De Vries again had to be at his best just minutes later to produce a superb stop to keep out Routledge in an action-packed start to the second half.
- But having twice come close to breaking the deadlock, Rangers were reduced to 10 men in the 53rd minute when skipper Rowlands was shown a deserved second yellow card for a rash challenge on Nathan Dyer.
- The dismissal spurred the hosts in action and they immediately put QPR on the back foot, although for all their dominance they were failing to really test Cerny.
- Yet that all changed in the 74th minute when the unmarked Gower connected with Rangel's cross to open the scoring from close range.
- Watson received a second yellow for handball just minutes later, reducing the visitors to nine men.
- And it was left for Trundle to wrap things up when he connected with Dyer's right-wing cross from six yards in the 85th minute" Sporting Life


Swansea Official Site

The Swans celebrated a first league win over QPR in 44 years with two second-half goals against their nine-man opponents.

Despite a slow start the home side had the lions share of possession but couldn't convert during the first 45 minutes of play.

The R's were at a disadvantage early in the second period when skipper Martin Rowlands was shown his second yellow and it wasn't long after that when Mark Gower fired the Swans in front with his first ever league goal for the club.

Ben Watson was QPR's second man to walk and with less than five minutes remaining substitute Lee Trundle popped up with the second goal to make it five games unbeaten for Paulo Sousa's side.

Paulo was handed a welcome boost with the return of no fewer than three players from injury.

Leon Britton was passed fit to start in midfield while Andrea Orlandi and Cedric van der Gun made the bench.

There was a first competitive start of the season for Darren Pratley, Stephen Dobbie returned to lead the Swans' front-line and Nathan Dyer was back on the wing after serving a one-game ban.

Swans: Dorus de Vries; Angel Rangel, Garry Monk (C), Ashley Williams, Alan Tate; Leon Britton, Darren Pratley (Jordi Lopez, 87'), Mark Gower, Tom Butler (Lee Trundle, 61'), Nathan Dyer; Stephen Dobbie (Craig Beattie, 72').

Not Used: David Cornell, Jazz Richards, Andrea Orlandi, Cedric van der Gun.

QPR: Radek Cerny, Mikele Leigertwood, Damion Stewart, Kaspars Gorkss, Gary Borrowdale; Wayne Routledge, Ben Watson, Martin Rowlands (C), Akos Buzsaky (Adel Taarabt, 76'), Rowan Vine (Alejandro Faurlin, 61'), Jay Simpson (Allesandro Pellicori, 76').
Not Used: Tom Heaton, Peter Ramage, Gavin Mahon, Hogan Ephraim.
Referee: K D Hill (Hertfordshire)

The rain had passed and the sun was beating down on the lush Liberty surface for this final clash before the international break.

Despite an early Swans flurrish forward it was Paulo's old side that created the game's early chances.

Converted defender Mikele Leigertwood found space behind Alan Tate to cross into the box from the byline, forcing Ashley Williams into clearing behind for a corner, and from the cross the ball found its way to Akos Buzsaky but his effort whistled just over the top of goal.

The R's were enjoying plenty of possession and on nine minutes came even closer when Jay Simpson and Wayne Routledge linked-up inside the Swans' area and the latter drilled inches past Dorus de Vries right-hand post.

But the home side did manage to create their first opening 60 seconds later - Nathan Dyer used his electric pace to race onto a long pass forward and saw his cross cleared for a corner; Mark Gower crossed in from the left, Williams towered above the QPR defence but sent his header over the top.

Dyer was off again on 12 minutes, he pulled it back for Stephen Dobbie - starting his first game since late August - only for the striker to pull his weak effort across Radek Cerny's goal and past the post.

Tom Butler sent a looping header into the hands of Cerny from Alan Tate's left-sided cross five minutes later while Dobbie had a great chance midway through the half.

Darren Pratley picked out the run of Angel Rangel down the right behind Gary Borrowdale, he took it down on his chest before crossing low to the feet of Dobbie whose first-time effort was deflected behind at Cerny's near post.

But a swift counter attacking move caught the Swans on the back foot with 27 minutes played - the R's cleared a Swans corner and charged forward into the home side's half, the end product resulting in Jay Simpson firing across de Vries but wide of the target.

R's skipper Martin Rowlands was booked for a challenge on Dobbie during a strong spell of Swans dominance and on 38 minutes Pratley came close to drilling the hosts in front following fine play in midfield.

Kaspars Gorkss also entered the referee's note book for a touchline challenge on Nathan Dyer just before the break and from the set-piece taken by Gower it made its way to the feet of Dobbie whose low drive was well saved by the 'keeper.

And on 44 minutes Tom Butler skipped past Leigertwood, played a one-two with Dobbie before picking out Gower on the far side; the winger took a touch and sent a dangerous cross into the heart of the area which Dobbie came inches away from connecting.

Half-Time: Swans 0 QPR 0

The visitors made a strong start to the second period and within four minutes of the re-start came very close to scoring, had it not been for the quick reflexes of de Vries.

A free-kick from the right was curled into the heart of the area and Arsenal loanee Jay Simpson was ideally placed eight-yards from goal - he connected and sent his header goalbound but the Dutchman 'keeper pulled off a fantastic one handed save to deny the striker.

Kaspars Gorkss sent a header over the top before former Cardiff loanee Wayne Routledge cut inside and, with only Dorus to beat, forced another excellent save from the 'keeper.

And as the ball was cleared Nathan Dyer picked up possession 10-yards short of the half-way line and was grounded by the sliding challenge of Martin Rowlands - the player that injured de Vries in last seasons fixture - which warranted his second yellow card of the afternoon.

Now the Swans were on top and after Garry Monk connected with two Mark Gower corners - the first of which was deflected behind - Dyer picked out Pratley with a well placed cross only for the returning midfielder to slide in and force a low save from Cerny.

Gower fired another Swans effort over the bar while Butler cut inside to shoot and force a stop from the 'keeper at his near post.

Paulo made his first change of the afternoon just after the hour mark when Lee Trundle was introduced in place of Tom Butler to add more fire power to the Swans' attack.

Alan Tate fired over and Stephen Dobbie had a Gower cross cleared from his feet - it was to be his final involvement of the afternoon as Craig Beattie came on in place of his fellow countryman.

The Swans had looked strong this half and with 16 minutes remaining they were rewarded for their efforts.

Rangel found space on the right and sent a teasing cross deep into QPR's area, over the head of Beattie but Mark Gower was ideally placed to strike it first time between Cerny and the post to score his first league goal for the club.

QPR made two changes following the goal but their afternoon got a lot worse on 78 minutes when they were reduced to nine men - Wigan loanee Ben Watson was penalised for a second time in six minutes, this time for deliberate handball.

And it was game over with less than five minutes to play, Rangel sending Dyer on his way down the right-hand side and with Beattie and Trundle in the box the winger had options - his low cross found the latter and Trundle celebrated his second goal in a week to make the game safe.

Jordi Lopez was sent on for the final few minutes and as we entered the final minute of play Dyer jinxed his way past two defenders before forcing a save from Cerny.

Goal hero Trundle was bundled over inside the area by Gorkss, no penalty was given but it didn't matter as the Swans go into the international break on a high." Swansea


QPR Official Site - Nine-man Rangers succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at The Liberty Stadium.-
Skipper Martin Rowlands and fellow central midfielder Ben Watson both saw red for two bookable offences, before late goals from Mark Gower and Lee Trundle, left the R's contemplating a first defeat in seven.
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It was tough on Jim Magilton's men, who prior to the double dismissal, were more than a match for Paulo Sousa's side, with Jay Simpson and Wayne Routledge each squandering opportunities to opening the scoring.

- After a magnificent performance against table-topping Newcastle in midweek, R's boss Magilton unsurprisingly named a replica starting XI for the trip to Sousa's Swansea.

So, with Radek Cerny in goal, Gary Borrowdale, Kaspars Gorkss, Damion Stewart and Mikele Leigertwood made up Rangers' back four.

In midfield, Akos Buzsaky and Routledge occupied the flanks alongside skipper Rowlands and Watson, who was of course, goalscorer at St. James' Park on Wednesday evening.

Deadly duo Rowan Vine and Simpson led the attack for the R's.

There was one change on the bench, though, as Gavin Mahon came back into the Rangers fold at the expense of Patrick Agyemang.

Going into the match unbeaten in six matches, Rangers started the better as they looked to continue that good run of form at a blustery Liberty Stadium.

Good link-up play between Simpson and Leigertwood enabled the latter to drive a low centre across the face of goal, but Ashley Williams cleared the ball out for a corner.

And, after Watson's cross was only cleared as far as Rowlands, the R's captain fed Buzsaky some 25-yards from goal - though the Magical Magyar's delightful effort landed on the roof of the net.

This was great early pressure from the visitors, as they looked to get a foothold in the game.


Soon after, Rangers should have been a goal to the good. After a splendid pass from Gorkss found Simpson, he touched the ball on just past halfway to Routledge.

Typically running at the defence, the tricky winger continued to drive at the Swans rearguard before unleashing a low shot on goal that just faded past Dorus de Vries' right-hand post.

At the other end, it was the hosts who had their first real opportunity of the affair, and after Angel Rangel expertly crossed for Scott Dobbie, Stewart superbly blocked his effort away to safety.

Though moments later, the R's - who continued to look devastating going forward - probably should have taken the lead.

After a home corner, Rangers broke at pace and Buzsaky found Routledge, who played the ball onto Simpson. The young striker then drove into the area, though could only drag a shot wide.

In truth, the game was becoming somewhat of a lacklustre affair, as both sides seemed intent on cancelling each other out with chances at a premium.

Moments later, however, Swansea did have another unlikely chance to find the goal, but Darren Pratley could only flash his effort wide.

When the teams re-emerged for the second period, it's fair to say that Rangers would have looked to improve on their first-half display - and they did just that.

Only minutes had passed in fact, when after Watson's sublime corner found Gorkss, the Latvian defender headed high and wide of the goal when under pressure at the back post.

The momentum was beginning to swing Rangers' way, not least when only a stunning save at point-blank range prevented Simpson from finding the net, after another superb set-piece from Watson.

The R's were now having chances aplenty - and moments later, Routledge missed what can only be described as a guilt-edged chance.

After Rangers again broke at pace down the left through Vine, the R's frontman cut in past his marker and fed Routledge.

The midfielder took one touch to move the ball to his right, effectively dummying two defenders in one movement, only to be denied by the outstretched right arm of de Vries with the net ready to bulge.

However, that miss proved costly, when from the next passage of play, Rowlands sent Dyer sprawling to ground. He was shown a second yellow card, which resulted in a red.

Buoyed by the R's misfortune, the Swans looked eager to make their extra-man advantage count, and only a fine save from Cerny prevented Pratley from opening the scoring.

To be fair to Magilton, he stuck to his guns, opting to play a 4-3-1-1 formation following the introduction of Alejandro Faurlin for Vine.

However, for all their endeavour, Rangers were helpless to prevent the home side from taking the lead in the 74th minute.

Receiving the ball down the right, full-back Angel Rangel played a teasing cross into the back post for Gower - and the unmarked Swansea midfielder made no mistake thereafter, driving in low past Cerny from close range.

It was a goal that proved a bit of a blow to Rangers who, after coming out the better in the second half, found themselves a goal down.

Though, to their credit, Rangers did continue to press the home side and soon after, Leigertwood's attempt went straight at de Vries.

Unfortunately, however, Rangers' chances of grabbing that all-important equaliser were banished when Watson, after slipping and handling the ball, was shown his second yellow card and given his marching orders.

Nine-man Rangers didn't give up, though. And after a great ball from Leigertwood over the top to the newly-introduced Adel Taarabt, he could only blast high and wide of the goal.

But for all their hard work, it was Swansea who had the last laugh. And when Nathan Dyer squared for Trundle, the Swans loanee tapped into an empty net.

Swansea City: de Vries, Williams, Tate, Britton, Pratley (Lopez 86), Dyer, Dobbie (Beattie 72), Monk, Rangel, Gower, Butler (Trundle 61).Subs not used: Orlandi, van der Gun, Cornell, Richards. Scorers: Gower (74), Trundle (85)
Bookings: Gower (74)
QPR: Cerny, Stewart, Leigertwood, Routledge, Vine (Faurlin 61), Buzsaky (Taarabt 76), Gorkss, Rowlands, Watson, Simpson (Pellicori 76), Borrowdale. Subs not used: Ramage, Mahon, Heaton, Ephraim. Bookings: Rowlands (37 & 53), Gorkss (42), Watson (72 & 77) Red Cards: Rowlands (53), Watson (77) Referee: Mr K D Hill Attendance: 14, 444 (602) QPR


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From a year ago: Great oped re being a football fan. Probably applicable to all clubs. "....You may not own it, but your club belongs to you"
<-. Mirror

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