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Seven Years Ago Today: Gianni Paladini Saw His First QPR Game! - Championship Form Guide over Past Six and Past Eight Games
- Video: "Are QPR a Premier League quality team?
- Football League Awards Dinner, Tonight
- 1980 Video: Terry Venables' QPR Beating West Ham (with Phil Parkes and Paul Goddard)
- Video Flashback: QPR Winning an FA Cup - Swindon 1992
- Thirteen Months Ago: Mick Harford's One QPR Win - Vs Doncaster Rovers
- QPR Report "Spot The Ball #4" - The Answer
QPR 38 37 76
Norwich 38 15 67
Swansea 38 17 66
Cardiff 38 14 63
Leeds 38 9 61
Nott'm F 38 13 60
Reading 37 18 57 BBC
QPR vs Doncaster
QPR Official Site - WARNOCK: LADS WERE SUPERB
- Neil Warnock heaped praise on his top-of-the-table charges, as the R's extended their lead at the top of the npower Championship to nine points thanks to a 1-0 victory at Doncaster Rovers.
Hogan Ephraim's 47th minute strike was enough to seal victory for QPR, on an afternoon when three points were no more than the Hoops warranted following an accomplished performance.
Shortly after the final whistle, Warnock told www.qpr.co.uk: "With sixteen days off until our next game I think it was an important victory for us.
"Certain lads today were superb.
"I thought Fitz Hall was a man-mountain at the back and everybody contributed.
"It's a long time since I've been to Doncaster and had a team that have played more long balls than mine!
"It was a cracking goal.
"(Wayne) Routledge and (Alejandro) Faurlin were involved and he (Ephraim) took it well.
He added: "The Premier League is where I want to be - it's where the Club wants to be.
"It's taken us just over 12 months to turn the Club around and we've got a great bunch of players.
"I'm enjoying every moment.
"Once the first goal went in I was quietly confident but you've got to give Doncaster credit. They kept going."
Warnock also took time to clarify the absence of Moroccan skipper Adel Taarabt, who travelled home having originally made the trip north after learning the loss of a close family member.
The R's gaffer explained: "Adel's been ill all week but travelled up and was due to play, but he got a phone call this morning telling him that a close family member had died.
"He was distraught and I told him to get himself off and be with his family, because that's more important.
"Our thoughts are with Adel and his family."
http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/TheGaffer/0,,10373~2319981,00.html
- Neil Warnock Audio
TELEGRAPH - Neil Warnock delighted as QPR extend lead at top of Championship with win over Doncaster
- A happy Neil Warnock hailed QPR’s performance after Hogan Ephraim’s second-half strike at Doncaster sent his side nine points clear at the top of the Championship.
The diminutive midfielder struck the only goal of the game in the 47th minute, having been handed a start after Adel Taarabt was sidelined with an illness.
“Everyone contributed in what was a good team performance,” Warnock said. “Doncaster is a difficult place to come, so to go away with three points is a great result for us.
“I just felt we were ready for it today and once we got our noses in front I couldn’t see them scoring.
“I’d love to win the next five games and wrap [promotion] up but I’m sure there will be a few twists and turns before the end of the season.”
Second-placed Norwich had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Hull, but manager Paul Lambert was pleased to leave the KC Stadium with a point.
Norwich took the lead through a Zak Whitbread header in the 27th minute, but Nick Barmby levelled from close range midway through the second half.
“I’m delighted with how we played in a very open game, and we had some good breaks in the second half,” Lambert said.
“It’s an away game and to pick up a point away from home could be massive. We have four games at home and four away, and all eight will be really tough, but with the way we’re playing, we’re in good shape.”
Leeds slipped to a surprise 2-0 defeat at Sheffield United, who aided their own fight against relegation with a victory secured through an Eric Lichaj own goal and Bjorn Helge Riise’s strike.
Reading kept their promotion push alive after Mathieu Manset came off the bench to earn them a crucial 1-0 win over Barnsley.
At the other end of the table, Preston claimed their second victory inside five days after Nathan Ellington scored a stoppage-time winner to help Phil Brown’s men see off Coventry 2-1 at Deepdale.
Iain Hume’s 24th-minute opener put Preston ahead but David Bell equalised for the visitors. Yet North End continued to push forward and they were rewarded in added time when Ellington fired home from a corner.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/queens-park-rangers/8393181/Neil-Warnock-delighted-as-QPR-extend-lead-at-top-of-Championship-with-win-over-Doncaster.html
BBC - Doncaster 0 - 1 QPR
Hogan Ephraim's second-half strike earned QPR a deserved win against Doncaster that moves them nine points clear at the top of the Championship.
The midfielder, recalled to the Rangers line-up because Adel Taarabt was out with an illness, fired in low from the edge of the box just after the break.
Ephraim earlier missed QPR's best chance, prodding wide from close range.
Rovers threatened sporadically with Franck Moussa hitting the woodwork and Jason Euell heading a late chance wide.
Rangers started brightly with Heidar Helguson's header hitting the bar from Tommy Smith's cross.
Rovers hit back and Simon Gillett tested Paddy Kenny with a right-footed effort from just inside the area.
The hosts were then denied by the woodwork as Moussa's close-range shot hit the upright following good work from James Coppinger.
The lively tempo continued as Helguson set up Smith for a shot that Gary Woods did well to tip round the post.
Ephraim should have then given Rangers the lead but he contrived to turn Wayne Routledge's pinpoint cross wide of the near post from six yards out.
However, the former West Ham player made amends two minutes after the restart when he struck the game's decisive goal.
Routledge and Alejandro Faurlin linked well down the right before the ball fell to Ephraim, who stepped inside his man and fired in a low shot from just inside the area.
Despite controlling possession, Rangers' one-goal advantage looked vulnerable and Kenny - who had earlier tipped a Shelton Martis header over the bar - had to react quickly to claim substitute Ryan Mason's cross.
Veteran substitute Euell then saw a late header fly just wide but the west Londoners hold on strengthen their position at the Championship summit.
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/9425787.stm
Doncaster Official Site
O'KELLY: WE SHOWED SPIRIT
Doncaster Rovers may have been on the receiving end of a 1-0 defeat at the hands of league-leaders Queens Park Rangers at the Keepmoat, however Rovers assistant manager Richard O'Kelly remained pleased with his side's character throughout the encounter on Saturday.
"Against the league leaders who are ten points clear, I thought we matched them after the first ten minutes," Richard told RoversPlayer.
"In this division, I suppose one mistake has cost us the game."
One player who continues to impress for Rovers is loanee Franck Moussa. The Leicester City man has shown great ability with the ball and linked up well with fellow front-men James Coppinger and James Hayter.
"Franck Moussa looked lively and our front three kept causing QPR problems after the opening ten minutes," the Rovers number two continued.
"Franck got some decent balls in and around him and we started to get better support. We've been pleased with him and despite being 5'9'', he can certainly jump up and compete for the ball in the air as he showed today. We played him slightly deeper behind James Hayter and James Coppinger and I thought he excelled in the position today."
Despite the narrow score-line, O'Kelly emphasised the strength possessed by opponents QPR - but admits that he was pleased with the way that the Rovers responded to the goal.
"In this division, any goal is crucial and the first goal was probably more crucial today when you are playing Queens Park Rangers at home. They are a very well organised side with lots of experience, and they remind me of Newcastle United from last season. When they get ahead, it's very difficult to get any momentum in the game. They break play up, have players who understand how to kill the game and they know what they are doing."
"Despite that, we kept going and we showed a lot of character and spirit."
http://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10329~2320075,00.html
DONCASTER OFFICIAL SITE
STOCK: WE SHOWED A LOT OF HEART
- by Chris Mortley
Doncaster Rovers skipper Brian Stock believes that should Rovers put in more performances like the one against QPR at the Keepmoat on Saturday, then the side can push on up the league table.
Rovers may have lost 1-0 against top-of-the-table Queens Park Rangers, but the performance from the side showed great determination and, as Rovers assistant manager Richard O'Kelly commented post-match, spirit.
"I thought we showed a lot of heart today," said Welsh international Stock.
"We showed that against a very strong QPR side who are up there on merit and have a great squad. We rode our luck for the first ten minutes, but for the rest of the game - we huffed and puffed - but when you look at the amount of goals that they have conceded and the defenders that they have got, you can see why they are top of the league when they can hold on to a 1-0 lead."
"The timing of the goal was crucial," admits Stock.
"To limit QPR to one or two chances in the game is what we set out to do. We're disappointed, but we need to pick ourselves up. There is only a short way to go now until the end of the season and if we keep putting performances in like that, we'll do alright."
http://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10329~2320081,00.html
MIRROR
Doncaster 0-1 QPR: Sunday Mirror match report
Hogan Ephraim earned QPR their first win at the Keepmoat Stadium as they completed the double over Doncaster and extended their Championship lead to nine points.
The diminutive midfielder struck in the 47th minute having been handed a start after the influential Adel Taarabt was sidelined by illness.
It was no more than Rangers deserved, having dominated most of the game against a Doncaster side who have not won at home since February 1.
And with Norwich failing to win at Hull, Neil Warnock’s men are looking in prime position to secure a return to the Premier League.
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Rangers were first to threaten and Heidar Helguson hit the bar with an early header from Tommy Smith’s cross.
Doncaster quickly launched an attack of their own and Simon Gillet tested Paddy Kenny with from just inside the area.
And soon after Franck Moussa hit a post from close range shot following good work from James Coppinger.
The lively tempo continued as Helguson set up Smith for a shot which Gary Woods did well to tip round the post.
Fitz Hall bravely put his body in front of a powerful Coppinger shot and Alejandro Faurlin – the Argentine whose signing has led to Rangers facing FA charges over third-party ownership – saw an ambitious 25-yard drive sail over the bar.
Rangers should have taken the lead on the half-hour but Ephraim contrived to turn Wayne Routledge’s pinpoint cross wide of the near post from six yards.
Kenny was called upon just befor the in terval when he tipped over a powerful header from Shelton Martis.
But Rangers quickly broke the deadlock after the restart when Routledge and Faurlin linked well before finding Ephraim, who jinked inside and fired home a low shot from just inside the area.
Coppinger continued to threaten with his direct running and Clint Hill was forced into a timely intervention to prevent the winger from creating a shooting opportunity as Rovers sought a way back.
Warnock replaced Ephraim with Akos Buzsaky but despite controlling large parts of the game, Rangers’ slender advantage still looked vulnerable and Kenny had to react quickly to claim substitute Ryan Mason’s cross.
Sean O’Driscoll attempted to rally his side with the introduction of veteran striker Jason Euell, whose presence ruffled a few feathers in the Rangers defence as he saw a late header fly just wide.
Rangers boss Neil Warnock said: “I thought we stuck at it and everyone contributed in what was a good team performance.
“Doncaster is a difficult place to come so to go away with three points before the international break is a great result for us.
“The fans were tremendous and they can travel home happy and content after the way we played.”
Rangers have looked certainties for promotion throughout the campaign and another superb defensive display helped them snuff out Doncaster.
But Warnock is refusing to take promotion for granted, insisting plenty more work is required.
“Doncaster had their moments but we kept on the front foot as much as we could and I couldn’t have asked for more,” he continued.
“I just felt we were ready for it today and once we got our noses in front I couldn’t see them scoring.
“I’d love to win the next five games and wrap it all up but I’m sure there will be a few twists and turns before the end of the season.”
Defeat left Doncaster assistant manager Richard O’Kelly frustrated.
Rovers had matched their high-flying opponents for long spells before Ephraim separated the sides with his 18-yard strike into the bottom corner.
The hosts launched a brave fightback but were unable to find an equaliser that would have helped them edge toward securing second-tier status for another season.
O’Kelly said: “They are running away with the Championship but I think we matched them apart from the opening 10 minutes - and one mistake cost us the game.
“The first goal was always going to be crucial because when they get their noses in front it’s hard to peg them back.
“They know what they’re doing and they shut up shop and did it really well.
“It’s the mark of a very good side and they are so well organised and professional because they have players who have been there and done it.
“But I thought we showed character and spirit and kept going until the end.
“Overall we coped with them very well. There were more pluses than minuses for us - but unfortunately no points.” Mirror
QPR Official Site
Hogan Ephraim's 47th minute strike saw QPR stretch their lead at the summit of the npower Championship to nine points.
Roared on by a strong visiting contingent from West London, the R's more than matched hosts Doncaster Rovers in all departments to claim a well-deserved victory.
Dominant in the opening stages of the first half, Rangers started the second period in similar fashion, with Ephraim on target with a stunning solo effort two minutes after the break to seal the win.
Beautiful passing play ended in Ephraim controlling Wayne Routledge's sumptuous reverse pass on the left, before the R's winger cut-in past his marker to curl an exquisite effort into the bottom right-hand corner from 18 yards.
The result means the R's are now nine points clear of second-placed Norwich City, while Swansea City sit some 10 points behind the leaders.
R's gaffer Neil Warnock made one change for the trip to South Yorkshire, with Hogan Ephraim coming in to replace Adel Taarabt (illness) in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Paddy Kenny was in goal for the R's, with Bradley Orr, Fitz Hall, Kaspars Gorkss and Clint Hill featuring in QPR's back four.
Shaun Derry and Alejandro Faurlin were in defensive midfield, behind attacking trio Ephraim, Routledge and Tommy Smith.
Heidar Helguson - whose deadly double saw Rangers on to a 2-1 victory over London neighbours Crystal Palace at Loftus Road last weekend - led the R's line up top.
QPR began at a blistering pace in the midst of some splendid spring sunshine, with only the face of the crossbar denying Warnock's top-of-the-table charges of the lead in the opening minutes.
Smith's corner was cleared only as far as Gorkss and, when the Latvian defender sent over a looping cross for Helguson, the Icelandic striker's bullet header smashed against the bar before the ball was cleared to safety.
Rovers themselves were also denied by the woodwork on the quarter-hour mark.
James Coppinger picked up possession on the right-hand channel before his cross was met of Franck Moussa, who did excellently well to muscle his way past Hall, before smashing his low effort off the foot of the post and out of play.
Play would soon switch to the other end, with Donny keeper Gary Woods forced into a simply stunning save to preserve parity.
Lovely passing play from the R's eventually ended in Helguson finding space out on the left and, when he turned the ball back across the box, Smith nipped in front of his marker before his prodded effort - that seemed destined to find the net - was magnificently tipped over the target by Woods.
Rovers went close to taking lead on 33 minutes, after Brian Stock's long-range drive - which had Kenny well beaten - went inches wide of the Rangers stopper's left-hand post and into the side netting.
Donny got stronger as the half wore on and only a fine stop from Kenny denied them of an opening goal in the 42nd minute.
Shelton Martis rose highest to meet Stock's in-swinging corner from the left, before his nodded effort - that appeared to be heading for the top right-hand corner - was tipped over the bar by the R's number one.
Much like the first half, Rangers made a speedy start to the second period.
This time, however, the R's were rewarded with the lead, following a free-flowing team move.
Derry and Routledge exchanged passes, before the latter played a fantastic reverse ball to Ephraim out wide on the left.
The rest was poetry in motion from diminutive wide-man, who cut in past his marker before slotting an effort into the bottom right-hand corner from 18-yards out.
The R's were now firmly in control and, following the opening goal, QPR had a certain swagger about their play and continued to create opportunities to score.
Goalscorer Ephraim was replaced to a rapturous applause by the travelling Hoops faithful on 63 minutes, with Akos Buzsaky brought on to give Rangers some fresh legs.
The affair started to tighten up a little going into the closing quarter of an hour, although QPR still looked comfortable.
The introduction of Buzsaky almost reaped an R's second, with the Magical Magyar firing just wide with a shot from 10-yards out.
That was to be the last opportunity of note, as Rangers held out to record yet another welcome victory in their quest for Premier League football next term.
Doncaster Rovers: Woods, Friend, Martis, Stock, Hayter (Euell 75), Moussa, Oster (Mason 67), Gillett (Dumbuya 84), Mills, Hird, Coppinger.
Subs: Sullivan, Wilson, Shiels, Kilgallon.
QPR: Kenny, Orr, Hill, Derry, Hall, Helguson (Hulse 80), Faurlin, Gorkss, Routledge, Smith, Ephraim (Buzsaky 63).
Subs: Cerny, Agyemang, Vaagan Moen, Chimbonda, Shittu.
Goals: Ephraim (47)
Referee: Mr P N Gibbs
Attendance: 11, 747
http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10373~51879,00.html
YANN TEAR/Fulham Chronicle
Ephraim strike gives QPR the points at Doncaster
Doncaster Rvs 0-1 QPR
HOGAN Ephraim's first goal since September – only his third of the season – was enough to give Rangers the points at Doncaster.
But the afternoon was dominated by speculation about the man he replaced in the starting line-up. Adel Taarabt was officially ill and did not even appear on the bench.
Without him, the Rs often struggled to find a creative spark, although they started well enough, with Clint Hill heading against the crossbar early on and Heidar Helguson also striking woodwork, while Tommy Smith forced keeper Gary Woods in a good save.
But Ephraim (pictured) set Rangers on their way two minutes into the second half, when, receiving a pass from Wayne Routledge, he beat his marker and cut inside to bury a curling shot. Fulham Chronicle
- John Terry Reappointed as England Captain
Soccernet
Hogan Ephraim earned QPR their first win at the Keepmoat Stadium as they extended their lead at the top of the npower Championship to nine points.
The diminutive midfielder struck the only goal of the game in the 47th minute having been handed a start after the influential Adel Taarabt was sidelined with an illness.
It was no more than the visitors deserved, having dominated most of the game against a Doncaster side who have not won at home since February 1.
And with Norwich failing to win away at Hull, the London club are looking in prime position to secure a return to the Premier League.
Heidar Helguson, who scored both goals in QPR's 2-1 win over Crystal Palace, hit the bar with an early header from Tommy Smith's cross.
The hosts quickly launched an attack of their own and Simon Gillet tested Paddy Kenny with a right-footed effort from just inside the area.
And soon after it was their turn to be denied by the woodwork as Franck Moussa hit the upright with a close-range shot following good work from James Coppinger.
The lively tempo continued as Helguson set up Smith for a shot which Gary Woods did well to tip round the post in the 19th minute.
Fitz Hall bravely put his body in front of a powerful Coppinger shot and Alejandro Faurlin saw his ambitious 25-yard drive keep rising up and over the bar.
The visitors should have taken the lead on the half-hour mark but Ephraim contrived to turn Wayne Routledge's pinpoint cross wide of the near post from just six yards out.
And Kenny was called upon to make one final save in the first half when he tipped over a powerful header from Shelton Martis.
It took just two minutes of the second half for QPR to take the lead as Routledge and Faurlin linked well down the right before finding Ephraim, who stepped inside his man and fired in a low shot from just inside the area.
Coppinger continued to threaten with his direct running and Clint Hill was forced into a timely intervention on the hour mark to prevent the tricky winger from creating a shooting opportunity as Rovers sought a way back into the match.
Ephraim was withdrawn shortly after, with Akos Buzsaky sent on to rejuvenate Neil Warnock's side.
Despite controlling large parts of the game, Rangers' one-goal advantage still looked vulnerable and Kenny had to react quickly to claim substitute Ryan Mason's cross.
Sean O'Driscoll attempted to rally his charges with the introduction of veteran striker Jason Euell, whose presence ruffled a few feathers in the Rangers defence as he saw a late header fly just wide.
But QPR held on to complete the double over Doncaster, who may yet find themselves embroiled in a relegation battle.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/293645?cc=5901
- Flashback to 1975 QPR Pre-Season
1968: FLASHBACK "STAYING AT LOFTUS ROAD"
- "...[W]e have decided that - come what may - we are staying at Loftus Road. We have decided, after a lot of discussion and speculation that our future is here and that we mean to stay. We have now decided to spend something in the region of £150,000 on improvements at the ground. When the work is finished we hope to have one of the most compact and comfortable grounds in League football. Our aim is to get as many people as possible seated and to cover the greater part of the standing space" - QPR Programme Editorial vs Cardiff City, April 12, 1968, Talking about the coming (not yet named) South Africa Road Stand
- Gino Padula no longer at Columbus Crew
- Why Football Clubs Matter More than Results
- (Still) Waiting for the Announcement that Gary Borrowdale is back at QPR
