Middlesbrough Match Reports & Managerial Comments

MIDDLESBROUGH OFFICIAL SITE

Middlesbrough 0 QPR 3

TWO goals from Heidar Helguson and penalty from Adel Taarabt ensured QPR's promotion push remained firmly on track as they equalled their biggest away win of the season. GORDON COX reports from the Riverside.

There was just one personnel change from the side which beat Millwall, also a change in formation as Jonathan Grounds dropped to the bench, Marvin Emnes returned and Boro adopted a 4-4-2 formation.

Boro made a very positive start and should have taken the lead in the first minute as Paddy Kenny' goal-kick went straight to Scott McDonald just up from the edge of the centre-circle.

After outpacing his closest pursuers he shot low to Kenny's right and the goalkeeper made amends.

Tony McMahon, fairly, thundered into a tackle and the crowd responded, distribution was crisp and movement gave options.

It set the game up nicely as back came Rangers, Adel Taarabt whipping in a cross from the left, one which asked many questions, ones answered by Jason Steele who right received warm applause from a punched clearance.

Continuing their increased work rate, Rangers created another chance, this time from the right as Wayne Routledge slammed over a cross which flew through the six-yard box until turned behind by McMahon.

Rangers became the side most likely to break the deadlock, squeezing Boro for room and gradually player higher up the pitch. Their three in midfield crowded Boro for room and the attacking options and moves were increasingly the property of the West London outfit.

Twice Taarabt forced decent saves with shots from outside the box, he was on the edge of it when almost capitalising on a misunderstanding between Steele and Nicky Bailey, nipping in between the pair and just landing a shot on top of the net.

Boro, resilient, attacked when they could and usually caused problems, but the opening goal came at the other end via a deflection four minutes from half time as Taarabt was picked out inside the Boro box and played a low ball to Heidar Helguson whose low shot from 12 yards looped up off Andrew Davies and over the grounded and stranded Steele.

Half-time: Middlesbrough 0 QPR 1

Boro found it difficult to get going in the early stages of the second half as Rangers passed the ball swiftly, without, though, causing too many problems.

The home side had to work hard to create even half a chance, with Bennett often the outlet ball.

Tony Mowbray needed to change something and made two substitutions just short of the hour.

But it was Rangers who increased their lead with an hour played as Routledge cross from the left and Heidar Helguson time d a run in between Davies and Seb Hines to head home from inside the six yard box in front of goal.

Not for the first time this season Boro shot themselves in the foot when conceding a needless penalty with 67 minutes played as MerouaneZemmama brought down international team mate Adel Taarabt who took the penalty himself, right-footed easily beating Steele.

Boro almost pulled a goal back with another fine free-kick from Tony McMahon. His 30-yard effort was destined for Kenny's top left-hand corner until the goalkeeper's intervention turned the effort into a corner.

It was Boro's first effort on target since McDonald in the opening minute.

McDonald went close with a well-intentioned chip from 20 yards and should have gone closer when set up by Barry Robson, but blazed over from a tight angle.

Middlesbrough: Steele; McMahon, Hines, Davies (Haas 81), Bennett, Emnes (Zemmama 59), Bailey (Capt.), Arca (Robson), Taylor, Lita, McDonald. Subs: Ripley (gk); Grounds, Smallwood, Boyd.

QPR: Kenny; Orr (Connolly 78), Hall, Shittu, Hill, Faurlin, Derry, Buzsaky (Ephraim 69), Routledge, Taarabt (Capt.), Helguson (Hulse 84). Subs: Cerny (gk); Gorkss, Miller, Vaagan Moen.

Referee: Mr K Stroud, Hampshire.

Bookings
Middlesbrough Robson, 71, taking a free-kick too quickly.

QPR Faurlin, 14, foul; Hall, 45, foul.

Attendance: 16,972 (797 visitors)

Conditions: After a damp start to the afternoon it was dry, bright and breezy come kick-off.

www.mfc.co.uk/articles/20110226/middlesbrough-0-qpr-3_70605_53043

NORTHERN ECHO

League leaders pile more misery on Boro

RELEGATION worries refuse to go away at the Riverside Stadium after another afternoon to forget for Middlesbrough.

Despite a much-needed win at Millwall seven days earlier, Boro collapsed to their second successive home defeat with a 3-0 loss to Championship leaders Queens Park Rangers.

It might not have been as exciting as the 4-3 thriller that saw them lose to Swansea, but the outcome was very much the same ahead of Nottingham Forest's visit to the North-East on Tuesday.

This was another afternoon when a failure to pick up any points has left them hovering above the bottom three.

QPR's Heidar Helguson put QPR two goals up with a goal either side of half-time before the reliably impressive Adel Taarabt completed the win from the penalty spot 22 minutes from the end.

There might have been 28 points separating these two teams before kick-off, but it hadn't looked that way for the majority of the opening half.

And Middlesbrough had the best chance of that period inside the opening 60 seconds. Paddy Kenny's woeful goal-kick fell kindly for Scott McDonald.

Middlesbrough's Aussie striker, with just the keeper to beat, was denied when Kenny redeemed himself with a low save.

Middlesbrough's problems after that were largely down to their own lapses in concentration.

A routine long ball forward caused unnecessary confusion in the home defence. Goalkeeper Jason Steele, Seb Hines and Nicky Bailey all waited for one another to take charge, Taarabt nipped in and lobbed on to the roof of the net.

And then, after a quick counter attack, Tarrabt cleverly brought down a searching pass from Alejandro Faurlin. The skilful Moroccan was allowed to turn, play in to Helguson, who took a touch before his shot deflected off Andrew Davies to beat Steele.

Regardless of what Mowbray said at the interval, Middlesbrough simply had no response from there on in to the league leaders' higher confidence.

Even when Merouane Zemmama and Barry Robson were introduced by the Boro boss to try to change things just before the hour, seconds later QPR added their second.

Routledge, on loan from Newcastle for the rest of the season, burst beyond Tony McMahon and delivered a precise cross with the outside of his boot to tee up Helguson to head in his second.

And when Zemmama went down to tackle compatriot Tarrabt there seemed little point, even more so when referee Keith Stroud pointed to the spot.

Then Tarrabt pushed away Helguson, on a hat-trick, to take the penalty himself and he found Steele's bottom right to send hundreds of Teesside supporters away early

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/middlesbrough/reports/8878377.League_leaders_pile_more_misery_on_Boro/

QPR Official Site

GAFFER: WE WERE RUTHLESS

Neil Warnock thinks his side's improved ruthlessness in front of goal played a major part in the R's excellent 3-0 victory at Middlesbrough.

Heidar Helguson's deadly double, as well as an Adel Taarabt strike from the penalty spot, clinched victory for QPR, on an afternoon when Rangers dominated proceedings in every single department.

Warnock told http://www.qpr.co.uk: "The goal came just before half-time. We were a little bit fortunate with it, but we've had plenty of them go against us - like Nottingham Forest's at Loftus Road a few weeks ago.

"I thought in the second half we were by far the better side and thoroughly deserved the victory.

"We were a lot more ruthless, put our foot on the pedal and scored three good goals.

"I thought the second was a fabulous goal, but also thought the first was fabulous too.

"A deflected goal will do for me - don't worry about that!"

He added: "It was just good to come away to a place like this and win in such convincing style.

"To get such a positive result in front of our travelling fans - who made the long journey - is rewarding for us all.

"It's another game chalked off and we're down to the last 12."

www.qpr.co.uk/page/TheGaffer/0,,10373~2303263,00.html


SPORTING LIFE

RANGERS HAVE RIGHT RECIPE - WARNOCK

Neil Warnock said his table-topping side should be playing with a smile on their faces after a steely 3-0 win at Middlesbrough took them a step closer to the Premier League.

QPR went ahead in the 41st minute with a deflected opener from Heidar Helguson before the striker netted his second goal of the afternoon in the 60th minute. Captain Adel Taarabt wrapped up the points with a late penalty.

"It was difficult early on and we couldn't quite get on the ball but we get better as the game went on," said the Rangers boss, who celebrates a year in charge next week.

"We got a break with the first goal because it took a deflection but we've those go against us at times so we won't complain. And we still worked hard for it.

"The second goal was fabulous, the whole move was fabulous. In fact we played some good stuff today and it is a bonus when you do that.

"I've been delighted with the determination the team have shown and their willingness to put their bodies on the line when they have too. At times there has been a real Northern grit in this Southern team.

"But I've told the lads that they should be playing with a smile on their faces because we have the right recipe here now. We have the grit to battle when we need to but we have the ability to win games well too. You don't get many moments in football when it comes together like that.

"We're not getting carried away because we have a long way to go, six home games and six away, but if we can keep getting that consistency and keep getting results in games like this, then we are well on the way,"

Boro boss Tony Mowbray insisted his team were not far short of Rangers on a day when they slipped to their first defeat by more than a one goal margin since he arrived at the club to replace Gordon Strachan in October.

"I didn't feel we were out-classed," he explained. "They are a good side but for long spells, especially in the first half, we more than matched them. For an hour it was a decent performance.

"It turned out to be a disappointing afternoon but it could have been very different. Scott McDonald had a good chance in the first minute and had that gone in, who knows.

"But they are a hard team to play against. They attack with four players, four good players, but the rest defend very well and they hold a high line. It is hard to get behind them. What they do, they do well and that's why they are where they are.

"So we are disappointed - but we haven't had too many results like that of late. Its the first time we have lost by more than one goal since I came here. We have take it on the chin, learn from it and bounce back on Tuesday against Nottingham Forest."

www.sportinglife.com/football/live/quotes/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/11/02/26/SOCCER_Middlesbrough_2nd_Nightlead.html&BID=3660


MIDDLESBROUGH MANAGER COMMENT

Individual Talent Sees Off Boro

MOMENTS of individual brilliance were the difference between Boro and the runaway league leaders in a game where Tony Mowbray felt the scoreline did not tell the full story.

Adel Taraabt and Wayne Routledge were Boro's main tormentors, while QPR's veteran striker Heidar Helguson capitalised on their creativity with two goals in what might sound like a one-sided affair.

But the first goal near the end of an even first half came courtesy of a wicked deflection and the third was a penalty conceded by Merouane Zemmama's forward's tackle when there seemed to be little danger.

"I think 3-0's a bit harsh," said Mowbray. "Sometimes when you're top of the table things roll for you like that. They've got some decent players in the forward line and their tactics are to let them go forward and win games.

"To coin a Mourinho phrase they park the bus - the full-backs don't cross the halfway line and the front four have individual talent that can win them matches. That's a formula that seems to be working very well for them this year.

"I'm not taking anything away from them - if you're top of the table after 30 games, you must be a decent side and they undoubtedly are. They've got some good individuals, a big, strong, powerful back-line and they get the job done."

Boro's best chance came with just seconds on the clock when a poor clearance from goalkeeper Paddy Kenny gifted Scott mcDonald's with a glorious opening.

But Kenny atoned for his error with a fine save and the visitors rarely looked back.

Asked how much difference it would have made if the ball had gone in, Mowbray said: "It would have made a difference - we would have been one-nil up. But I don't know if it would have made a difference overall."

Mowbray knows the headlines won't be favourable after the heaviest defeat of his reign so far, but he said: "In journalism, you see the result and decide one team played well and the other team didn't.

"But I don't think there was much in it. For 40 minutes it was 0-0 and we'd had the outstanding chance of the game.

"When you're top of the table you're just waiting for one piece of quality from one individual to make a difference and I think that was it today.

"There's not very much in it. We did fine for long enough spells but the two goals in the second half killed the game as a contest.

"It's football and you have to take it on the chin sometimes when you play a team at the top of the table."

Andrew Davies, who was playing at the Riverside for the first time since his loan move from Stoke City, picked up an injury late in the game but Mowbray said it was too early to say how long he will be out.

"It looks like hamstring but what grade I don't know. It could be eight weeks, could be one week. We'll wait and see."

www.mfc.co.uk/articles/20110226/individual-talent-sees-off-boro_70606_2303289

MAIL

Middlesbrough 0 QPR 3: Heidar Helguson at the double as Rangers close in on promotion

Heidar Helguson struck a double as QPR boosted their npower Championship title challenge with a comfortable victory at Middlesbrough.

The Iceland international netted either side of the interval as Rangers extended their advantage at the summit to five points.

If Helguson was impressive, it paled in comparison to Adel Taarabt, who was at his irresistible best.
On the up: Neil Warnock's side are closing in on promotion to the Premier League

On the up: Neil Warnock's side are closing in on promotion to the Premier League

The dynamic midfielder was at his brilliant best as he terrorised Boro's backline, capping his performance with a goal from the penalty spot which wrapped things up.

Clearly buoyed by last week's 3-2 victory at Millwall, Middlesbrough started the brighter of the sides and should have taken the lead in just the first minute.

Australia striker Scott McDonald found space in the area, but, after finding room to work an opening, he saw his effort saved by Paddy Kenny.

QPR, though, were quick to get back into the game with Taarabt and Wayne Routledge causing problems with their direct play.

The former, in particular, was proving particularly difficult to deal with, forcing a smart save from Jason Steele a 20-yard snap-shot.

As the game wore on, Taraabt's influence was becoming increasingly prominent with the the mercurial Moroccan hitting just wide form range before forcing another excellent save from Steele.
Adel-ight: Taarabt was also on the score sheet

Adel-ight: Taarabt was also on the score sheet

He came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock in the 35th minute when he found himself clean through courtesy of some poor Boro defending, only to hit over.

The home side, meanwhile, were playing plenty of good football but their final ball was leaving a lot to be desired.

The Hoops finally got the reward their endeavour deserved in the 41st minute through Helguson.

Predictably, Taarabt was involved, squaring a lovely ball to the striker, who made no mistake from 12 yards.

Picking up where they left off, Rangers continued to dominate after the interval with the hosts often finding themselves chasing shadows.

And the league leaders soon extended their advantage through Helguson's second.

The impressive Routledge was the architect, jinking his way down the left wing before sending in a delicious centre which Helguson nodded past Steele.

The goal seemed to take the wind out of Middlesbrough's sails as QPR continued to dominate.

They found themselves three-up in the 68th minute when, after being brought down by Merouane Zemmama, Taarabt netted from the spot.

Neil Warnock's side took there foot off the gas thereafter, but, with their defence looking impregnable, they easily saw the game out.

www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1360873/Middlesbrough-0-QPR-3-Heidar-Helguson-double-Rangers-close-promotion.html#ixzz1F65gfovT

INDEPENDENT/JasonMellor

Helguson keeps Rangers roaring
Middlesbrough 0 Queens Park Rangers 3

Middlesbrough marked Neil Warnock's first anniversary in charge by presenting his side with far too many gifts, as Queens Park Rangers swiftly restored the five-point lead at the top of the Championship that Swansea City had trimmed earlier in the day.

It extended their unbeaten run to 10 games, and they are without a defeat at this level since New Year's Day. While Rangers head for promotion, yesterday's unpredictable hosts sit an uneasy five points above the relegation zone – hence the serenade at the death by the jubilant travelling support: "We're going to Liverpool, you're going to Hartlepool."

Related articles
League round-up: Leeds in a flap over Swans wings as Sinclair pair lifts Welsh hopes
Search the news archive for more stories
Rangers never looked back after going into a fortunate 41st-minute lead, Adel Taarabt taking Alejandro Faurlin's pass inside the area to cut the ball back invitingly for Heidar Helguson, whose low shot deflected off defender Andrew Davies to beat Jason Steele.

The resurgent Icelander then found space to head home a Wayne Routledge cross after the hour to make it four goals in three games and a dozen in all.

"Heidar was ready for the knacker's yard last year, so they tell me," manager Warnock said. "But for me, he's always been a good player. People thought Kevin Davies at Bolton was knackered a few years ago and yet you'd have him in most of your teams now. For me, Heidar's just the same."

The day might have been different had Scott McDonald, presented with a clear run on goal by Paddy Kenny's miscued dead-ball kick after a minute, not seen his effort smothered by the Rangers keeper. Kenny was then largely untroubled en route to his 19th clean sheet.

Taarabt sealed victory with a confident penalty on 68 minutes, impounding the ball after he had been felled in the box by the substitute Merouane Zemmama. The manager was not bothered at Helguson being denied a hat-trick shot. "I didn't want him to, if I'm honest," Warnock said. "We've got to be professional and it was Taarabt's to take. And if Heidar had taken it and missed it, he'd have got battered by me."

www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/helguson-keeps-rangers-roaring-2226686.html