QPR Crush Barnsley at Loftus Road (Briatore Absent) - Reports & Managerial Comments

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QPR Official Site - QPR 5 Barnsley 2
- Akos Buzsaky was the star of the show, notching a double to help an irresistible Rangers overcome Barnsley in a pulsating encounter at Loftus Road.
- The R's - who were three goals up at half time - had to halt a Barnsley revival, though, after the visitors notched two quick-fire goals after the break.
- Mikele Leigertwood gave Rangers the lead, as he sent home an unstoppable, low effort from fully 20-yards out.
- The R's didn't rest on their laurels thereafter, as Buzsaky - finding much joy from his role down the left - tucked the ball away from close-range after a devastating pass from Ben Watson.
- This was arguably Buzsaky's best performance in an R's shirt since a lengthy lay-off through injury, and just before the interval, he got a second goal of the match with a stunning effort 30-yards from goal.
- But Barnsley - who were mere spectators in the first period - were much better, to their credit, after the break.
- And after Stephen Foster headed home an Iain Hume free-kick, Jonathan Macken put the hosts right back into the affair when he finished from close-range, after his initial penalty was saved by Radek Cerny.
- Though Rangers' blushes were spared soon after, as Watson and Jay Simpson made sure their side would take a first home league win of the campaign.
- R's chief Jim Magilton made two changes from the side that lost out in the Carling Cup third round against Chelsea in midweek - reverting back to the same starting line-up that did more than enough to overcome Cardiff City away from home last Saturday.
- In goal, Cerny returned to the fray at the expense of Tom Heaton.
- The back four remained unchanged, with Leigertwood taking his place alongside Kaspars Gorkss, Damion Stewart and Gary Borrowdale.
- After missing out on Wednesday, Watson replaced Alejandro Faurlin next to Captain Martin Rowlands in the middle of the midfield, with Wayne Routledge and Buzsaky on the flanks.
- In attack, Simpson partnered Rowan Vine.
- Full of optimism after two outstanding performances away at both the new Cardiff City Stadium and Stamford Bridge, you could understand if the R's were to start the game on the front foot.
- Indeed they did just that and Rangers, in truth, should have found the net. Only a minute or so had passed on the clock when after Routledge burst down the left and crossed into the box, Buzsaky was unmarked at the back post.
- From 10-yards out, the Magical Magyar shot for goal - only for a forest of legs to deny his effort on the line.
- Soon after, Barnsley had their first opportunity. Anderson De Silva played in Iain Hume away down the right, only for the Tykes front man to drag his effort just wide of Cerny's left-hand post.
- Rangers, though, were better in possession. Passing the ball around with ease and elegance it was only a matter of time until the hosts broke the deadlock - and they did so in the 7th minute.
- What a goal it was too. Rowlands found the ball just past halfway before playing the ball out wide on the right to Leigertwood.
- Driving from right-back, Leigertwood ran at the Barnsley defence before sending in an unstoppable, low shot past David Preece from 20-yards out.
- It was no more than the home side deserved early on. In fact, buoyed by their opener, Rangers went searching for a second and just 8 minutes later - they got it.
- Watson was the provider, sending a clever through ball to Buzsaky in the 15th minute. After missing a great opportunity in the first half, the Hungarian playmaker wasn't going to miss this time, and slotted home low past Preece in to the right-hand corner of the net.
- This was magnificent play from the hosts, and in particular the fit-again Buzsaky - as R's fans from the home end raised their voices in appreciation of the Magical Magyar.
- The R's were in cruise control, and moments later, they undoubtedly should have added a third. Watson, again the provider, played the ball through to Routledge.
- The pacy winger looked up before blasting at the goal from close range, but his effort agonisingly hit the post and went to safety.
-Buzsaky was then in the act again, and after he crossed for Simpson, the young striker held the ball up fantastically well for Rowlands, but the Rangers Skipper's blast was deflected wide.
- Barnsley were passengers in this affair, though the R's did have to be on their guard briefly - as first a diving challenge from Stewart prevented Andy Gray from close-range, before Borrowdale slid in on Hume to prevent the front man from finding the goal.
- But that was the only threat Barnsley had left to poise in the first period, and soon after, an irresistible Rangers were three goals to the good courtesy of the man of the moment, Buzsaky.
- Breaking at pace after a corner from the away side, Simpson and Buzsaky linked well before the former laid a pass to the latter 30-yards out.
- The rest was pure brilliance, and when the Hungarian international looked up, he planted a stunning curling shot past a helpless Preece in the 39th minute.
- The R's could have been four up at the break, but Preece did well to stop Vine, getting his fingertips that effort after good play down the right from Routledge once again.
- As the teams emerged for the second half, the R's were keen to increase their dominance in the match.
- They looked like doing so too, though after Buzsaky played the ball to Simpson, he flashed an effort just wide from six-yards out.
- But Rangers weren't to have it all their own way. And soon after, Barnsley added a quick-fire double to put the result in some doubt.
- Firstly, after a fine set-piece from Hume, Foster rose highest to give the visitors hope in the 51st minute.
- And moments later, Barnsley added a second. After Stewart was adjudged to have brought down Adam Hammill in the area, Macken stepped up to take it.
- Though his spot-kick was saved well by Cerny, he made no mistake at the second opportunity in the 55th minute, smashing home their second.
- Rangers, however, shook off all hopes of a Barnsley equaliser soon after, adding two goals of their own to put the match out of visitors' reach.
- It was delightful stuff again from Buzsaky - and when he crossed superbly for Vine in the 67th minute, the R's striker knocked down well for Watson, his effort just crept past Preece, who fumbled the ball into the net.
- If there was any doubt over who would take the points, there could be none whatsoever after 79 minutes - as Rangers notched a fifth.
- After Watson's teasing corner was deflecting towards goal, Simpson got the last touch to ensure the R's of their first home league win of the season.
- QPR: Cerny, Stewart, Leigertwood, Routledge (Faurlin 69), Vine (Taarabt 69), Buzsaky, Gorkss, Rowlands, Watson, Simpson (Pellicori 79), Borrowdale. - Subs not used : Heaton, Ramage, Mahon, Ephraim. Goals: Leigertwood (7), Buzsaky (15 & 39), Watson (67), Simpson (79) Bookings: Borrowdale (87)
- Barnsley: Preece, Colace, Foster, Hume (Bogdanovic 60), De Silva, Butterfield (Kozluk 56), Hammill, A. Gray (Campbell-Ryce 76), Dickinson, Shotton, Doyle.
Subs not used: Rusling, Devaney, J. Gary, Thompson. Goals: Foster (51), Macken (55)
Bookings: Shotton (36), De Silva (39), Kozluk (59) Referee: Mr K Evans Attendance:12 025 - QPR


QPR OFFICIAL SITE - GAFFER: 'IT'S BEEN COMING'
- Jim Magilton insisted no praise could be too high for his charges, as the R's ran riot against Barnsley.
- A first half brace from Akos Buzsaky, to add to Mikele Leigertwood's early strike, set the tone in a totally one-sided first half, and although the Tykes hit back with a couple of goals early in the second period, further goals from Ben Watson and Jay Simpson sealed the rout.
- "We're on the up," Magilton told www.qpr.co.uk.
- "Its work in progress and I still think there's so much room for improvement with us, but we have a fantastic bunch of lads, who we have great belief in.
-"Performances bring you points. There's still a long way to go, but the belief is growing and confidence is too with results."
- Magilton paid credit to Mark Robins' side for their battling second half display, but insisted he was always confident his side would go on to register the three points, even when the Tykes reduced the deficit to 3-2.
- "Credit to Barnsley, they didn't fold, and they certainly made us step up to the mark.
- "Some of our attacking play was outstanding in the first half though. We dropped those standards for a bit in the second half, but we upped it again and in the end we ran out comfortable winners."
- Magilton concluded by paying tribute to two goal hero Akos Buzsaky, commenting: "Akos is improving. He's slowly but surely getting back to where he was.
- "He needs to maintain the standards he set today, because when he plays like that, he's a very, very good player.
- "His second goal was top, top class." QPR


Sporting Life. PA's Andy Sims - MAGILTON: WE'VE RAISED THE BAR
- QPR boss Jim Magilton feels his side are beginning to hit top gear after they roared to a 5-2 win over Barnsley.

Rangers shrugged off the uncertainty surrounding co-owner Flavio Briatore to put in a fine performance in a seven-goal thriller.

Briatore gave Loftus Road a swerve despite having an unexpected weekend off following his F1 ban, and the controversial Italian missed seeing his side race into a three-goal half-time lead.
- Akos Buzsaky scored twice to add to Mikele Leigertwood's opener, and despite a second-half Barnsley fightback when Stephen Foster and Andy Gray reduced the arrears to one, further goals from Ben Watson and Jay Simpson secured a maiden home win for Rangers.
- "We've raised the bar," said Magilton.
- "I was worried about today because I know Mark Robins is a very good manager and his side have improved under him, so it was always going to be a tricky game for us, especially after all the hype.
- "We had to do whatever we could to get three points and some of our play was extremely good.
- "It was a bit nervy at times and we afforded them a few too many chances, but all in all I am pleased."
The first half was particularly sweet for Buzsaky, the Hungary international scoring his first goals of the season having missed most of last term through injury.
- Leigertwood had already scored from long range when Buzsaky slid in the second, and before the break he conjured up a trademark 30-yard curler.
- "His form is on an upward curve," added Magilton.
- "I think he's got some way to go, like all of us, but we know he possesses great individual ability and his second goal was magnificent."
- Rangers never like to make life too easy for themselves, though, and after Barnsley pulled one back through Foster's header, Andy Gray tucked away the rebound after his penalty was saved.
- Radek Cerny preserved Rangers' lead when he tipped Adam Hammill's shot over before Watson and Simpson bundled home late goals to secure the points.
Robins, who gave full debuts to three defenders, said: "We shot ourselves in the foot. They were poor goals to give away.
- "We can point to the fact it was a new back four but they are decent players."
- Barnsley were handed a Carling Cup visit from Robins' old club Manchester United when the draw was made shortly before kick-off.
- But Robins added: "I'd swap that for some points on the board at this time." Sporting Life


Barnsley Official Site -POST MATCH REACTION FROM LOFTUS ROAD
- REDS boss Mark Robins gave his thoughts following today's defeat at QPR.
- Mark said: "It was a costly first ten minutes or so and we really shot ourselves in the foot. We gave ourselves a mountain to climb and were not good enough defensively.
- "We allowed them took much room and conceded some very poor goals. We created one or two things ourselves as well and it could have been seven six to either side. We came within a whisker of equalising but then pushed forward and forgot to defend again.

"Darren Moore missed the game through injury, Rob Kozluk had a groin problem and Jon Macken was struggling with a side-muscle strain. We have to be better away from home and we conceded some needless, poor goals" Barnsley



Barnsley Official Site
- QPR 5 (Leigertwood 8; Buzsaky 15, 39; Watson 67; Foster OG 79)
BARNSLEY 2 (Foster 50, Gray 54)
- BARNSLEY made a real fight of it in the second half but let QPR off the hook after battling back from three down at the break.

Despite an impressive performance in midweek against Burnley, Reds boss Mark Robins rang the changes at Loftus Road with Nathan Doyle, Ryan Shotton, Carl Dickinson and Andy Gray all coming into the starting eleven. Julian Gray and Rob Kozluk dropped to the bench while injury kept out Darren Moore and Jon Macken.

Barnsley were on the back foot inside the first two minutes when Wayne Routledge managed to dig out a cross from the right that skipped off Stephen Foster's head and dropped nicely for Akos Buzsaky at the back post. The midfielder smashed the ball well but Shotton was in the right place to make a telling block.
- The Reds responded well and Iain Hume's third minute corner caused absolute chaos in the Rangers area. The ball bounced around and eventually fell to Anderson but the Brazilian could not find the top corner and blazed high over.

Barnsley went even closer two minutes later as Anderson's first time pass sent Hume in behind the QPR defence. The striker hit his shot well but the ball just curled wide of the far post with Radek Cerny at full stretch.

QPR grabbed the lead on eight minutes but the Reds really only have themselves to blame after allowing Mikele Leigertwood to run half the length of the field and smack a low drive past David Preece from the edge of the area.

Things went from bad to worse on 15 minutes when Ben Watson picked out a fine pass to split the Reds defence wide, wide open and send Buzsaky through on goal. Buzsaky did not need a second invitation to plant a deflected shot past Preece and into the far corner.

Rangers were rampant and almost had a third on 18 minutes as again Watson picked open the new-look Barnsley defence to put Routledge through and the winger beat Preece from a tight angle only for his effort to cannon away off the foot of the far post.

Barnsley slowly found their feet and Hugo Colace saw a shot cannon away for a corner on 19 minutes after Rangers had failed to deal with Shotton's long throw.

Good play by Doyle then caught Rangers flat-footed on 23 minutes as he found Anderson on the edge of the box but the midfielder was denied a goal as Cerny dove to grab his curling effort. Butterfield then lashed a volley high over the bar moments later as the Reds enjoyed their best spell of the game in QPR territory. It was the right reaction from the visitors.

Barnsley were still looking shaky on the counter attack and good play by Rowan Vine and Jay Simpson gave Martin Rowlands the chance to shoot on 28 minutes but the ball crashed in the Colace and away. Buzsaky then hammered one a foot or so over the top from 22 yards seconds later.

The Reds finally got in behind QPR on the half hour as Jacob Butterfield never gave the ball up and ended up at the byline after Gary Borrowdale had missed his clearance. Butterfield put a goal on a plate for Andy Gray but Damion Stewart was in the right place to put the striker off and the chance went begging.

Adam Hammill then had Cerny scrambling as he curled one from 25 yards on 31 minutes but his effort just flew wide of the post.

Rangers forced to play again on 33 minutes as Watson put Barnsley under pressure from Watson's corner. Stewart saw a header deflect over the top of Preece's goal.

It was a case of one tackle, one booking for Shotton on 36 minutes as the on loan defender went in hard on Leigertwood. It was a nothing tackle but referee Karl Evans was quick to show a yellow card.

Barnsley crafted another fine chance on 38 minutes as Doyle's long ball gave Gray something to attack in the area. Gray knocked the ball down to Hume, who's quick feet found Anderson but Borrowdale appeared from nowhere to stop the Brazilian rolling a shot past Cerny.

QPR ended Barnsley's brave fight in spectacular fashion just moments later. If the Reds' defence had been at fault for the opening goals, there was nothing they could have done about Buzsaky's audacious strike from 35 yards which flew over Preece and into the top corner.

Anderson picked up a booking practically from the restart while Rowan Vine almost added a fourth on 42 minutes when he tricked his way into the area before bringing a fine one-handed save from Preece.

Barnsley started the second half with purpose after an interval rollicking from manager Robins. It was QPR though who crafted the first chance on 48 minutes as Jay Simpson turned well and shot into the sidenetting.

The Reds got a foothold back into the game just two minutes later when Hume swung over a fine free kick from the left and Foster rose highest to nod past Cerny from 12 yards out.

Hume went close again on 52 minutes as he reacted quickest after Shotton's long throw had bounced around on the penalty spot. Hume smashed his shot into a crowd of players but the ball flew clear.

Barnsley had the chance to get right back into it on 54 minutes as Hammill raced towards goal only to be checked in the area by Stewart. The referee pointed straight to the spot but Andy Gray's penalty was saved by Cerny. Thankfully the ball came back out and Gray was able to smash it into the back of the net.

Again Barnsley paid the price for the referees one foul, one booking policy as Kozluk, who had only been on the pitch a matter of moments, held off Buzsaky on half way line. Buzsaky hit the deck and Kozluk picked up a yellow card.

It was turning into a real cracker in the early autumn sunshine at Loftus Road. Simpson hit the sidenetting on the hour mark after finding a yard behind Dickinson. Buzsaky then hammered one high over the bar on 64 minutes after a lightening counter from the home side.

There was almost more drama a minute later after Hammill took on QPR single-handed before curling a shot towards the top corner that brought an outstanding one-handed save from Cerny.

Daniel Bogdanovic then managed to get in behind QPR on 66 minutes and crossed for Gray but the ball just skipped in front of the striker and a golden chance went begging.

Rangers grabbed a killer fourth goal they simply did not deserve on 68 minutes. Buzsaky did well down the left to cross and Vine knocked it down to Watson who crashed a volley goalward. Preece managed to get both hands on the ball but it agonisingly squirmed out of his grasp and across the line.

Preece had to work again on 70 minutes as he saved well from Adel Taarabt, who let fly from the edge of the box.

Rangers grabbed a fifth on 79 minutes as the Reds failed to deal with Buzsaky's right wing corner. Kaspars Gorkss nodded the ball back across the six-yard box and a combination of Foster, Stewart and Simpson turned the ball over the line.

Still the chances came for the men in red and Hammill swung over a fine free kick on 83 minutes that gave Shotton a great free header at the back post but the defender completely missed the ball and the opportunity went begging. Hammill then crossed on 88 minutes to give Colace half a chance but the midfield volleyed well wide of the mark.

It really summed up the Reds day in stoppage time when Campbell-Ryce looked to take a quick free kick only to smack the ball into Watson four yards away. The referee waved play on - rather inexplicably - and Rangers almost crafted a sixth as Rowlands burst into the area only to be halted by a combination of Foster and Preece. Barnsley


TEAMTALK - Rampant Rangers brush off Tykes
- Flavio Briatore gave Loftus Road a swerve but QPR's fast starters raced past Barnsley to record their first home win of the season.
- Akos Buzsaky scored twice to add to Mikele Leigertwood's opener as Rangers roared into a three-goal lead at half-time.

Barnsley hit back twice at the start of the second half, but Ben Watson and Jay Simpson ensured the points stayed in west London with Rangers starting to look like a team capable of staying with the promotion pace.

Controversial co-owner Briatore was not in attendance, despite having an unexpected free weekend following his F1 ban.

But his mood would have improved with news of a fine display from Rangers which halted Barnsley's resurgence under Mark Robins.

The new Tykes boss handed full debuts to three of his back four - and it showed with the visitors two down in 15 minutes.

Yet Barnsley twice went close in the opening stages with Anderson de Silva firing over and Iain Hume shooting wide.

Rangers went ahead in the sixth minute when Leigertwood loped forward from right-back and, with no Barnsley defender showing any inclination to close him down, fizzed a low shot past David Preece from 25 yards.

And the hosts were two ahead when Watson slipped Buzsaky in behind and the Hungary international tucked the ball past Preece.

It could have been three two minutes later but Wayne Routledge's angled drive fizzed across the goal and flicked the far post.

But Buzsaky did add the third five minutes before half-time when he collected the ball 30 yards out, looked up and curled a superb effort over Preece and into the net.

It was a sweet moment for the 'Magical Magyar', scoring his first goals of the season having missed most of last term through injury.

Rangers never like to make life too easy for themselves, though, and Barnsley pulled one back at the start of the second half when Stephen Foster rose highest to nod Iain Hume's cross past Radek Cerny.

And five minutes later the deficit was back to one when Damion Stewart tripped Adam Hammill in the area.

Andy Gray's spot-kick was saved by Cerny but the ball fell kindly for the striker to tuck away the rebound.

Cerny tipped Hammill's long-range effort over the top to preserve Rangers' lead in the 63rd minute.

Three minutes later Buzsaky's cross was headed back across goal by Rowan Vine and Watson's effort was fumbled over the line by Preece. And Rangers were home and dry when Kaspars Gorkss's header caused more mild panic in the Barnsley box and Simpson got the final touch to complete the scoring." Eurosport


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