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Post by Macmoish on Aug 20, 2011 16:48:50 GMT
Flashback 3+ Years - QPR Kenny Orr Derry Hall Gabbidon Taarabt Faurlin Buzsaky Connolly Agyemang (Bothroyd) Smith (Ephraim) + Murphy Gorkss Perone Moen Andrade QPR Official SiteEverton 0 QPR 1 Tommy Smith's 31st minute strike was enough for the R's to clinch a memorable win over Everton at Goodison Park. Despite being understrength thanks to a virus that had swept through Neil Warnock's squad prior to Rangers' second Premier League clash of the season, QPR bounced back in style from last weekend's defeat at the hands of Bolton to claim victory in the first match of Tony Fernandes' reign in W12. R's attacker Smith grabbed his side's first top-flight strike since Kevin Gallen's effort against West Ham 15 years ago in April 1996 midway through the first period. Ali Faurlin and Akos Buzsaky combined and, when the latter fed Smith, he curled home a typically stylish finish inside the box. Warnock was dealt a bitter blow prior to kick-off, with the news that DJ Campbell missed out owing to a virus, while Jay Bothroyd (also illness) was on the bench. And, with Clint Hill unavailable after his red card in last week's defeat at home to Bolton, the R's gaffer was left with little choice but to make changes his team. Buzsaky, Matt Connolly and Patrick Agyemang deputised for Rangers, who made three changes from last Saturday's fixture. Paddy Kenny was in goal for the R's, behind a back four of Bradley Orr, Fitz Hall, Danny Gabbidon and Connolly. Shaun Derry and Faurlin were in defensive midfield, with the attacking trio of Smith, skipper Adel Taarabt and Buzsaky operating behind the loan striker, Agyemang. This was Everton's first fixture of the new campaign, after their opening day clash at Tottenham was postponed due to last week's London Riots. There was a real sense of excitement around an ear-piercing Goodison as the teams emerged in the midst of some swirling rain. The R's went close inside five minutes. Taarabt and Connolly combined down the left and, when the latter crossed for Smith, his drilled low effort from 16 yards went just wide of the left-hand post. There could be no doubt that the R's were not at full strength but, for the first 15 minutes at least, Warnock's charges more than held their own. If anything, it was Rangers - who were buoyed by almost 2,000 traveling R's fans chanting the name of new majority shareholder, Tony Fernandes - who were enjoying the better of the opening exchanges. QPR were fashioning some lovely free-flowing football early on - and it was that kind of build-up play that eventually saw Taarabt felled on 20 yards. The Moroccan magician dusted himself down before curling in a right-footed effort that went well wide of the target. However, play soon switched to the other end, where Connolly was adjudged to have felled his marker on the edge of the Everton box. Leighton Baines stepped up to take the subsequent free-kick and, when his beautifully-struck effort crashed against the underside of the bar, the ball was cleared safely up field. Bar that effort, Rangers were finding it much easier to string consecutive passes together - and Warnock's men were rewarded with a first-half lead on 31 minutes. It was a superb team goal. Faurlin found Buzsaky just inside the Toffees box, before the Hungarian midfielder slipped a sideways pass to Smith. In space, the former Watford man looked up before planting a curling low effort into the bottom right-hand corner of the net from 16 yards. It was a typically classy finish from Smith and the visiting R's faithful certainly enjoyed it too, with chants of 'Rangers are back, Rangers are back' ringing out loud and proud around Goodison. The goal was no more than QPR deserved but the West Londoners had to make sure that they stood firm to protect their lead going into the half-time interval. The hosts had three separate chances to level in the closing five minutes of the first half. On 40 minutes and after a free-kick, Beckford picked up possession on the right and played a pinpoint cross on to the head of Tim Cahill, who somehow missed an open goal from six yards. Moments later, John Heitinga nodded a centre back across the face of the target that saw Jermaine Beckford force a comfortable save from Kenny. And that's before Baines found Beckford with a cross from the left, whose headed effort went inches over Kenny's bar. Everton went close inside the opening minute of the second period. The Toffees pushed forward and, when the ball broke to Jack Rodwell just inside the R's box, the talented midfield man could only muster a tame effort that Kenny gathered with ease. David Moyes had seen enough from his Everton side to make a switch just 10 minutes after the break, with Mikel Arteta brought on to replace Rodwell. That particular switch came after play ground to a halt for an injury to Agyemang. The QPR front-man was also substituted - coming off on a stretcher with the severity of his injury not yet known - and replaced by Bothroyd. Midway into the second half, Rangers were still standing firm but had Kenny to thank for a fantastic save from Cahill, who tipped the industrious attacker's shot from 10-yards out around the post. Moyes' last throw of the dice was to bring on Louis Saha at the expense of Heitinga on 74 minutes. Ross Barkley's bullet effort was probably the biggest test that Rangers keeper Kenny faced, who did well to dive low and gather the ball, despite being unsighted by substitute Marouane Fellaini. And the R's held their ground, seeing off no less than five minutes of added time to seal a memorable victory in Merseyside. Everton: Howard, Baines, Heitinga (Saha 74), Jagielka, Distin, Beckford (Fellaini 64), Cahill, Neville, Barkley, Osman, Rodwell (Arteta 55). Subs: Mucha, Hibbert, Vellios, Anichebe. Booked: Osman (81) QPR: Kenny, Orr, Derry, Hall, Gabbidon, Taarabt, Faurlin, Buzsaky, Connolly, Agyemang (Bothroyd 57), Smith (Ephraim 66). Subs: Murphy, Gorkss, Perone, Vaagan Moen, Andrade. Goals: Smith (31) Bookings: Hall (39) Referee: Mr K Friend Attendance: 35,008 www.qpr.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10373~57910,00.html |
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Post by Macmoish on Aug 20, 2011 16:49:55 GMT
Everton Official Site Everton v QPR Tommy Smith’s first-half goal sentenced Everton to a lacklustre defeat in their opening Premier League match of the season. Smith emphatically exploited a rare moment of sloppy work from Phil Jagielka as the visitors prevailed at Goodison Park. It was one of few raids into Everton territory but the Hoops gleefully accepted the gift and battened down the hatches to escape back to the capital with all three points. The Blues, meanwhile, were left to wonder yet again how they were unable to break down a determined visiting side. Far too many times last season teams showed that gumption backed up by a gameplan could earn you points at Goodison and this reeked of déjà vu. Plenty of perspiration, but not much inspiration. The few sparks of creativity they did show invariably came from the boots of the preciously talented Ross Barkley. The 17-year-old showed a fantastic touch, vision and passing as he announced himself a star of the future. Barkley displayed ability beyond his years as he flayed passes about the park, took possession in difficult areas, linked-up with his teammates, beat players and consistently threatened the visitors’ goal. Ross Barkley in action against QPR Whether passing, shooting or crossing he showcased how to strike a football and his display was the one real positive to come out of this game. With Marouane Fellaini and Mikel Arteta deemed only fit enough for the bench, Barkley got his chance. And with Louis Saha not quite firing on all cylinders yet, the lone striking role was handed to Jermaine Beckford, with Tim Cahill providing able support. Neil Warnock sharpened his axe after last week’s chastening Premier League bow against Bolton, with four members of that team feeling the sharp end. DJ Campbell and Jay Bothroyd were two of those bumped to the bench with the deployment of lumpy targetman Patrick Agyemang ahead of a jam-packed midfield hinting at the visitors’ approach. The Blues were aiming to avoid a fourth consecutive opening day defeat for the first time in their history, but the first chance went against them – Smith’s crisp half-volley only a yard wide as QPR foraged a chance from the early scraps. Yet almost straight away some neat work down the right involving Cahill, Phil Neville and Leon Osman saw a succession of crosses wreak havoc in the visitors’ box. And with their rattled defenders under increasing pressure, Matthew Connolly sent Jack Rodwell sprawling to the deck. It was a legitimate shout but referee Kevin Friend was unmoved. QPR settled and quelled the home roar until Barkley jinked in off his left midfield perch and waltzed past a few challenges before being hacked down on the edge of the box. The Gwladys bayed and Baines obliged, the full-back whipping the resultant free-kick against the underside of the bar. Paddy Kenny gawped on helplessly as it thudded down into the turf and to safety. Barkley was growing in stature, but just as the youngster’s effervescence had the Blues on the up, the visitors struck an unlikely opener. Jagielka uncharacteristically squandered possession on the edge of the box and, as Alejandro Faurlin and Akos Buzsaky capitalised, the England man was caught out of position as Smith arrived to sweep the ball past Tim Howard. Tommy Smith scores for QPR Back came the Blues and Cahill’s burst down the right earned them a free-kick high up the pitch – the award sending Warnock near to apoplexy on the touchline. Yet when Baines swung it in, the referee’s refusal to acknowledge Fitz Hall’s shove on Cahill must have been soothing for the QPR boss. And when the spiky Aussie failed to direct two further headed chances on target, Warnock retreated for the sanctuary of the dressing room by far the happier of the two bosses. Everton’s early appearance for the second half seemingly confirmed that fact and they were soon in the hunt for a leveller as Rodwell tested Kenny within a minute of the restart. Unfortunately for the midfielder that would be his final contribution as Moyes looked to inject some craft into his midfield with the introduction of Mikel Arteta. And the Blues boss followed that by replacing Beckford with Fellaini and pushing the Belgian up alongside Cahill. He responded instantly by playing in his strike partner, but Kenny saved comfortably with the angle always against the 31-year-old. Louis Saha joined the party with 15 minutes left – just in time to watch Barkley fizz narrowly wide from 20 yards. But even the Frenchman could provide the cutting edge that had been missing all afternoon – a Fellaini header from a Baines’ free-kick their final vain attempt at snatching a point. www.evertonfc.com/match/report/1112/everton-v-qpr |
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Post by londonranger on Aug 20, 2011 16:50:20 GMT
ESPN Everton 0 - 1 Queens Park Rangers
Everton Queens Park Rangers
Tommy Smith (31')
Match Stats
Everton
Queens Park Rangers
14(4) Shots (on Goal) 4(1)
12 Fouls 7
2 Corner Kicks 1
4 Offsides 1
52% Time of Possession 48%
1 Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 0
0 Saves 4
Teams
Everton Queens Park Rangers
24 Tim Howard 1 Patrick Kenny
15 Sylvain Distin 6 Daniel Gabbidon
6 Phil Jagielka 5 Fitz Hall
3 Leighton Baines 16 Matthew Connolly
18 Phil Neville 2 Bradley Orr
21 Leon Osman 11 Alejandro Damian Faurlin
5 John Heitinga 4 Shaun Derry
20 Ross Barkley 19 Patrick Agyemang
26 Jack Rodwell 14 Ákos Buzsáky
16 Jermaine Beckford 7 Adel Taarabt
17 Tim Cahill 21 Tommy Smith
Substitutes
2 Tony Hibbert Brian Murphy 26
8 Louis Saha Jay Bothroyd 10
10 Mikel Arteta Kaspars Gorkss 13
28 Victor Anichebe Hogan Ephraim 25
25 Marouane Fellaini Andrade Bruno Lanca 36
1 Jan Mucha Petter Vaagan Moen 23
27 Apostolos Vellios Perone 15
Substitutions
Mikel Arteta for Jack Rodwell (55)
Jay Bothroyd for Patrick Agyemang (58)
Marouane Fellaini for Jermaine Beckford (64)
Hogan Ephraim for Tommy Smith (66)
Louis Saha for John Heitinga (74)
Yellow Cards
Leon Osman (81)
Fitz Hall (39)
· Rosters: Everton | Queens Park Rangers
A difficult week off the pitch for Everton was matched on it as their delayed start to the Barclays Premier League season began with a home defeat to newcomers QPR.
In the days preceding kick-off the Merseyside club had been in the news as their financial plight came under the spotlight once again.
So tight are the finances at Goodison Park - chairman Bill Kenwright admitting they cannot borrow any more money from the bank and desperately need a new owner - that manager David Moyes has not been able to sign anyone this summer.
With a number of senior first-teamers still not fully fit, Moyes' resources were stretched even thinner and QPR - who this week were taken over by airline boss Tony Fernandes - took full advantage to snatch a 1-0 win.
Tommy Smith scored the goal just past the half-hour - securing their first points of the season - in what was probably the visitors' only real chance to inflict Everton's first home defeat since December.
It was also the visitors' first top-flight away win since February 1996.
In fact, the last time QPR beat Everton 15 years ago they did so with the help of the likes of Ray Wilkins and Mark Hateley.
But the early focus was not on the past but the future as, with Mikel Arteta, Louis Saha and Marouane Fellaini on the bench, Moyes gave a debut to 17-year-old Ross Barkley.
The teenager, who has been at the club since the age of 11, did not disappoint as he gave many of his more experienced team-mates something to think about.
Despite his depleted resources Moyes will wonder why his team dominated throughout but the closest they came to scoring was Leighton Baines' first-half free-kick which crashed against the crossbar.
Smith had given an early warning of the danger he posed with a low snap-shot half-volley which flew narrowly wide of Tim Howard's right-hand post.
Everton took control after that with Jack Rodwell having an appeal for a penalty turned down after a challenge from Matthew Connolly.
But it was the performance of the debutant Barkley which was drawing all the attention.
Midway through the first half a driving diagonal run from left to right saw him twice feign to shoot before he was brought down by Fitz Hall.
Baines' free-kick cleared the wall and had goalkeeper Paddy Kenny rooted to the spot but cannoned back off the woodwork.
Barkley's confidence continued to grow as he sprayed crossfield passes around seemingly at his leisure, also curling a low 25-yard shot just wide.
However, Everton's early dominance began to wane and from QPR's first real spell of pressure they took the lead.
Phil Jagielka, a target for Arsenal, carelessly gave the ball away to Alejandro Faurlin and it was quickly transferred to Akos Buzsaky in the inside-left channel whose low cross perfectly picked out Smith.
The winger's first touch took the ball out of his feet and with marker Jagielka out of position he coolly slotted his shot past Howard's outstretched left hand and into the far corner of the net.
After that it was all Everton up until the break with the previously quiet Tim Cahill suddenly finding himself at the centre of everything.
Having been tripped by Hall, the Australia international appeared to be pushed as he challenged for Baines' free-kick but when the ball was crossed back in by Jermaine Beckford, Cahill missed from close range at the far post.
Cahill and Beckford could both have equalised with headers just before the break while Rodwell tamely chipped into Kenny's arms a couple of minutes into the second half.
It prompted the introduction of Arteta and then Fellaini, whose replacement of Beckford did not meet with wholehearted support from the Goodison Park crowd.
However, it almost paid instant rewards as Fellaini teed up Cahill, now playing as a striker, for a narrow-angle shot from the right which Kenny turned behind.
Barkley continued to look one of Everton's better players and fired a low drive wide before his deflected shot after cutting in from the right was well held by Kenny as QPR held on quite comfortably.
A return to full fitness of their major stars will improve things for Everton, but any hopes Moyes had of getting off to a good start for once were ended by the Londoners.
The Toffees boss admitted yesterday finishing in the top 10 would be a tough task this season. On the basis of one match, he may be right.
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Post by Macmoish on Aug 20, 2011 16:50:43 GMT
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Post by Macmoish on Aug 20, 2011 16:54:00 GMT
League Table
Aston Villa 2 4 2 3 3-1 FT v Blackburn
Liverpool 2 4 2 3 2-0 FT v Arsenal
Newcastle 2 4 1 1 1-0 FT v Sunderland
Bolton 1 3 4 4
Man City 1 3 4 4
Man Utd 1 3 1 2
Wolverhampton 1 3 1 2
West Brom 2 3 0 2 1-0 v Chelsea
QPR 2 3 -3 1 1-0 FT v Everton
Wigan 2 2 0 1 0-0 FT v Swansea
Norwich 1 1 0 1
Fulham 1 1 0 0
Stoke 1 1 0 0
Sunderland 2 1 -1 1 0-1 FT v Newcastle
Chelsea 2 1 -1 0 0-1 v West Brom
Arsenal 2 1 -2 0 0-2 FT v Liverpool
Swansea 2 1 -4 0 0-0 FT v Wigan
Tottenham 0 0 0 0
Everton 1 0 -1 0 0-1 FT v QPR
Blackburn 2 0 -3 2 1-3 FT v Aston Villa
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Post by Macmoish on Aug 20, 2011 16:55:22 GMT
BBC Everton 0 - 1 QPR By Chris Whyatt BBC Sport Tommy Smith Veteran striker Tommy Smith opened the scoring at a gloomy Goodison Park Joyous Queens Park Rangers took their first Premier League win since 1996 after veteran Tommy Smith's assured first-half finish punished Everton. In their first match under new owner Tony Fernandes, the visitors led on 31 minutes when Smith curled in low after Phil Jagielka had lost possession. Tim Cahill headed wide from three yards out soon after, before Leighton Baines whipped a free-kick against the bar. Wasteful Everton fell to their first home league defeat of 2011. Despite the financial pressures on them, long-serving Toffees boss David Moyes has insisted he can keep hold of his most established players. But 17-year-old Ross Barkley started, and shone, in midfield while playmaker Mikel Arteta and Maroune Felliani sat on the bench. Playing their first match of the season after the scheduled opener at Tottenham was postponed because of the recent riots, Everton began with enterprising purpose. Jermaine Beckford, spearheading the attack on his own, could not connect with a scissors kick while Cahill - bravely diving low - was inches away from putting his head on a wicked Baines delivery. Following inventive jinking work from Barkley, Baines then curled an almost perfect free-kick over the wall, but his effort crashed down off the bar. As Shaun Derry battled hard for the visitors, QPR - who had been hit by a virus in the camp - snatched the lead. Jagielka gave the ball away uncharacteristically, allowing Akos Buzsaky to feeding a pass to Smith in the box, and the 31-year-old took a touch and spun to curl the ball instinctively beyond Tim Howard into the bottom corner. Sliding Jagielka was a second too late to atone for his error. Unmarked, Cahill missed Everton's best chance - a virtual open net - after Beckford had swung over a threatening cross to the back post. Rangers were caught dozing seconds after the break but Jack Rodwell lifted a weak shot into Kenny's hands when the clear chance demanding a powerful, low strike. Arteta replaced him soon after, just before striker Patrick Agyemang was stretchered off with a leg injury, and Everton predictably pressed with increasing desperation. But, typifying the work ethic, Derry made a superb sliding block on Osman after he shaped to shoot following a surging run. Fellaini came on and immediately set up Cahill but he dithered too long and his shot, from too wide an angle, was easily batted away. newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/14514555.stm |
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Post by londonranger on Aug 20, 2011 17:45:29 GMT
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Post by Macmoish on Aug 20, 2011 18:54:28 GMT
QPR Official Site
WARNOCK: 'ONE OF THE BEST'Posted on: Sat 20 Aug 2011 Neil Warnock dubbed our 1-0 victory against Everton as 'one of the best' of his career. Tommy Smith's first half strike handed the R's all three points, on an afternoon when the Hoops had to cope with the absence of DJ Campbell, who alongside substitute Jay Bothroyd and starters Adel Taarabt and Matt Connolly, were all laid low with a virus. Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, the R's gaffer said: "In the circumstances, that is probably one of the best results of my career. "We've had so many problems over the last 24 hours. "I didn't think any of the four would feature yesterday, but Cons and Tarbs pulled through. Jay was only fit enough for a place on the bench at best. "DJ collapsed yesterday and we had to send him home, so it's an incredible result in the circumstances. "In a way the attitude we came up with epitomised the whole result. "I asked them to give me everything; to fight for each other; and they did just that. That's all I ever ask for - to give me everything. "Each and every player gave me their all and I couldn't praise them anymore." Warnock hailed Smith's 31st minute winner, commenting: "It was a great finish, but Tommy is always capable of that. "It was a well-worked move really and a cracking finish. "We showed today that we can compete in the Premier League." The Rangers boss also confirmed that - following hot on the heels of Tony Fernandes' arrival at the Club on Thursday - he expects to add 'at least four or five' additions to his squad in the coming days. "We want to bring four or five quality players in over the course of the next week or so," he said. "That's so exciting. "Tony and Amit (Bhatia) have backed me so well. "Amit coming back on board, alongside Tony, has given everyone a massive boost, especially me. "I'm really looking forward to bringing players in." www.qpr.co.uk/page/TheGaffer/0,,10373~2426881,00.html
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - DYER UPDATEPosted on: Sat 20 Aug 2011 Neil Warnock has revealed that Kieron Dyer is likely to be sidelined for 'a couple more weeks' at least. Dyer was withdrawn early on against Bolton Wanderers last weekend and speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk following our 1-0 win at Everton today (Saturday), Warnock said: "They've found a little chip. "It's such a shame for him. "It will be a couple more weeks at least, but I'm hoping by then we'll have a few more players in to compliment his talents." www.qpr.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~2426923,00.html
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Post by Macmoish on Aug 20, 2011 18:56:29 GMT
SPORTING LIFE
MOYES: WE MISSED TOO MANY CHANCES Everton manager David Moyes accepted familiar shortcomings cost his side as they dominated the game against QPR but lost 1-0 at Goodison Park. Despite creating the better chances - Leighton Baines hitting the crossbar with a free-kick and Tim Cahill missing a header from close range - it was the visitors who made the breakthrough. Tommy Smith converted QPR's only real chance of the game in the 31st minute to secure the Londoners' first points on their return to the top flight. Moyes had to leave experienced players Mikel Arteta, Marouane Fellaini and Louis Saha on the bench because of a lack of fitness, and with no money to sign anyone in the summer Everton came up short. "The performance probably didn't deserve to lose over the course of the game but we did," said the Scot. "We are the home team against a newly-promoted team and expected to make the play and score the goals, and we weren't able to do that. "It wasn't because QPR dominated the game and outplayed us, we had good chances to make better opportunities and didn't do so. "Tim missed a good one and we were a bit unlucky with Baines' free-kick. "But if anyone is surprised and disappointed they shouldn't be because we have been saying for a year or two we could do with an injection of wide players and centre-forwards. "We are disappointed we didn't win because I thought we should have gone on and got a result." The only bright spot for the Toffees was the performance of Ross Barkley, a 17-year-old academy graduate who made his first-team debut and was the best player in a blue shirt. "I said to the players after the game I was disappointed with how they played but not to Ross," Moyes added. "He got a big pat on the back. He nearly carried the team; he made chances, tried to take chances and looked really good. "He's not long turned 17, we gave him a chance and he certainly didn't let us down." [WARNOCK]QPR boss Neil Warnock was delighted to get their first points on the board after last weekend's 4-0 home defeat to Bolton, especially after a virus within the squad had restricted his options. "In a way the attitude we came up with epitomised the whole result," he said. "I said to them 'Give me everything' and they fought for each other. "I said 'Let's go and enjoy it' because I'd rather be pulling up at Goodison Park than some of the Championship clubs we were last year. "It was a well-worked move for the goal and they showed we can compete in the Premier League. "In the circumstances we've had in the last 24 hours to do what they did was quite amazing and I couldn't be prouder.
"People like Patrick Agyemang (who started up front) were not in my thoughts for the last six weeks and at one o'clock I had to tell him he was playing - it is like something out of a comic book."www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/qpr/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/11/08/20/SOCCER_Everton_Quotes.html&TEAMHD=qpr&DIV=prem&TEAM=QPR&RH=QPR&PREV_SEASON=&BID=3657Everton Official Site
Saturday 20th August 2011 18:13 by Rob JonesTwitter@efc_robjones
Moyes reacts to opening day loss. 'Blues Lacked Cutting Edge' David Moyes bemoaned Everton's lack of a cutting edge following their 1-0 defeat to QPR. Tommy Smith's first half strike condemned the hosts to a seventh opening day defeat in the last nine years on an exasperating afternoon on Merseyside. Moyes admitted his side didn't do enough to win - but still felt they were unfortunate to not claim a draw. Before Smith's winner Leighton Baines had smashed a free kick against the bar, with Tim Cahill, Ross Barkley and Marouane Fellaini all going close. And Moyes told evertonfc.com: "We didn't play well enough probably to win, but I don't know if we were that bad that we deserved to lose either. "I don't think we gave QPR too many opportunities but they got one chance that went past the post and then the goal that was poor play from us defensively. "We lacked the ability at the top end of the pitch to make a difference today. " Moyes did reserve praise for teenage midfielder Ross Barkley, who starred on his Everton debut. The 17-year-old looked the most likely source of an equaliser, and Moyes says the youngster has a bright future at the club. "I said to the players in the dressing room that I was disappointed with most of them but not Ross - he played really well," he said. "I thought what we missed today was people who could make opportunities and maybe take one themselves and I think Ross looked the most likely player to do that. "He needs a big pat on the back, he's not long 17 and he did well. "We hope he's going to follow in the footsteps of one or two others that I've brought through here www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/2011/08/20/-blues-lacked-cutting-edge-
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Post by Macmoish on Aug 20, 2011 18:57:04 GMT
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Post by Macmoish on Aug 20, 2011 19:41:28 GMT
Dave McIntyre - West London Sport
Smith gives QPR momentous victory 20/08/2011 Tommy Smith netted a first-half winner as QPR celebrated Tony Fernandes’ takeover with the Premier League victory their fans have waited 15 years for. New majority shareholder Fernandes was unable to be at Goodison Park, where Smith’s cool finish after being set up by Akos Buzsaky capped a momentous week for Rangers. The opening-day debacle at home to Bolton seems a lifetime away now. What made this result – Everton’s first home league defeat since November – all the more remarkable was that Rangers’ preparations were wrecked by a virus in the camp. Patrick Agyemang, who was stretchered off with a leg injury in the second half, was not a name many expected to be on a QPR team sheet this season. But he started along with Buzsaky because summer signings Jay Bothroyd and DJ Campbell were both ill. Bothroyd was on the bench and replaced Agyemang when he went off, while Campbell missed out altogether. Rangers were also forced to make changes in defence, with Bradley Orr starting in place of the injured Kieron Dyer and Matt Connolly filling in at left-back for the suspended Clint Hill. Connolly has rarely looked comfortable in that position but it was Liverpudlian Orr who was under more pressure in the first half. Orr, a lifelong Liverpool fan despite being on Everton’s books as a youngster, had his hands full dealing with the marauding runs of England left-back Leighton Baines, who was the home side’s main attacking outlet. And Baines went close to putting Everton ahead with a 23rd-minute free-kick that crashed down off the underside of the bar with keeper Paddy Kenny well beaten. Eight minutes later, Neil Warnock’s men went ahead when Smith, who had fired wide in the early stages, etched his name into QPR folklore by scoring the club’s first goal back in the top flight. After Phil Jagielka sloppily gave the ball away, Buzsaky capitalised by threading the perfect pass through for Smith, and the forward took a touch before curling into the bottom corner of the net. The goal shocked Everton into life and Tim Cahill sent a diving header just wide before Kenny kept out Jermaine Beckford’s header from Phil Neville’s cross. Everton, who had impressive 17-year-old midfielder Ross Barkley making his debut, did not improve after the break and boss David Moyes sent on Mikel Arteta and then Marouane Fellaini in an attempt to galvanise his team. Barkley shot wide and Cahill had another header saved by Kenny, but with Shaun Derry superbly shielding their back four, Rangers never looked like letting this historic win slip from their grasp. www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/smith-gives-qpr-momentous-victory/
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Post by Macmoish on Aug 20, 2011 19:47:47 GMT
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Post by Jo-Onenil on Aug 20, 2011 20:02:33 GMT
In the match interview, NW was asked if he'd be disapointed if he does not sign 4-5 players next week. Neil answered: "I wouldnt be disapointed. I'd be very surprised!" This looks good!
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Post by Macmoish on Aug 20, 2011 20:07:48 GMT
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Post by maudesfishnchips on Aug 20, 2011 20:11:03 GMT
can't look,  i'm waiting for motd at 10.30pm |
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Post by maudesfishnchips on Aug 20, 2011 20:12:34 GMT
can't look, i'm waiting for motd at 10.30pm also, don't tell me the score please. |
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Post by londonranger on Aug 20, 2011 20:18:00 GMT
ac thx. That pass from Buzz was electric, through three players like threading the needle and Smiths finish.
Goal of the year. Cannot dispute it.
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Post by Macmoish on Aug 20, 2011 20:41:29 GMT
Bothroyd Talking - Talksport - Click to Listen - www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/1006/79/exclusive-bothroyd-qpr-need-quality-players-cement-premier-league-placeExclusive - Bothroyd: QPR need quality players to cement Premier League place * By Michael Wade * Saturday, August 20 Jay Bothroyd has told SPORT that Queens Park Rangers need to bring in some more Premier League quality players now they have resolved their ownership situation. Rangers have suffered a stop-start summer in the transfer market and questions over the tenure of manager Neil Warnock as they prepared for life in the Premier League. But now new owner Tony Fernandes has backed Warnock to lead the Loftus Road side, Bothroyd has claimed they must strengthen their side in order to give them a fighting chance of establishing themselves in the top-flight. “The gaffer has done terrific, he has brought in some quality players and hopefully he’ll bring in some more and we can really cement ourselves in the Premier League.”Jay Bothroyd He told Call Collymore: “Stability for a club is always very important. We’ve got new ownership now and [Tony Fernandes] has backed the manager 100 per cent. “That’s great. The gaffer has done terrific, he has brought in some quality players and hopefully he’ll bring in some more and we can really cement ourselves in the Premier League.” |
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Post by Macmoish on Aug 20, 2011 20:42:42 GMT
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Post by Zamoraaaah on Aug 20, 2011 21:06:33 GMT
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Post by Macmoish on Aug 20, 2011 21:06:50 GMT
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Post by Zamoraaaah on Aug 20, 2011 21:13:28 GMT
They could have had 20, they still wouldn't have scored. |
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Post by Macmoish on Aug 20, 2011 21:35:40 GMT
Kenny was good today! Goal.com
Neil Warnock delighted with win at Everton after 'chaotic' 48 hours for QPRThe former Sheffield United boss admits that club will now try to sign "four or five quality players" following takeover by Tony Fernandes By Sam Bisby at Goodison Park Tommy Smith scored the game’s solitary goal and Warnock praised his players for their efforts, particularly as the squad had been hit by a virus prior to the trip to Goodison Park. “Well we’ve had a dramatic 48 hours with the takeover, but I couldn’t have asked for anything more today against a good squad of players," he said. “We had this virus around the camp yesterday, [Adel] Taarabt, [Matthew] Connolly, DJ Campbell, he collapsed DJ, so we had to send him home and these other two said they felt a bit better this morning, but then [Jay] Bothroyd goes down with it this morning, so it’s been chaotic really. “But sometimes it happens like that doesn’t it? Things like that happen and you get a result. That’s what, makes football such a fantastic sport.” The win is a boost to Rangers after their opening day thrashing at Bolton Wanderers and Warnock insisted he side could have scored more. “I thought we took the opportunity well, I know in the second-half, if we picked better passes out, we might of got another one or two, we had some great opportunities to break," he added. “Abel Taarabt did his tricks to the invisible man. It’s difficult for managers because last week we never thought we’d get a point till Christmas and this week some of them are talking about Europe.” Patrick Agyemang came off in the second-half with an injury, much to the manager’s confusion after going down awkwardly.
“He seized up, he said it started in his leg but it looked like a general seizure, I think everything seized up," he explained.“He didn’t know he was playing until leaving the hotel, I told him and he was gobsmacked because he wasn’t in the team talk or anything yesterday and I just said to him to enjoy yourself and just put those two internationals under pressure and I thought he did that. “There were a lot of pluses, I thought the two centre-halves held us together today and they’ve been a bit flimsy, taken a few chances and I thought today they defended like defenders should and when you’ve got a goalie like that at the back [Kenny] you’ve always got a chance, for some of the crosses I thought his handling was superb.”Warnock also agreed that heavy another defeat might have hurt his players, but that he was now thinking positively about the future, particularly with the prospect of the new owner bringing in some players before the end of the transfer window. “I agree, if we lost four, five or six, 10 in two games. But that’s football isn’t it?" he said. "I think the thing about QPR is that it’s a lovely club and its situation is fantastic being in London, so I never really realised how much that helped you get players, but it’s a lovely city and it helps you get players but you can’t do that without investment.“Tony Fernandes and Ali have just been a breath of fresh air for me, it’s been a hard summer for me to be honest.
“We’re going to try and sign four or five quality players and it’ll be good to have points in the bank now before Wigan and before the deadline we’ll sign at least four players I’m hoping.
“Tony knows some of the players I want and he’s excited as I am, you don’t often get that as a manager and a chairman.”www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/08/20/2628797/neil-warnock-delighted-with-win-at-everton-after-chaotic-48 |
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Post by Macmoish on Aug 20, 2011 21:42:09 GMT
Guardian/Andy Hunter David Moyes was not being alarmist with the prediction that a summer of sending millions to Barclays bank and spending nothing on his squad will result in a season of hard labour for Everton. Queens Park Rangers launched the Tony Fernandes era with a merited victory. Everton, on this evidence, are not only broke off the pitch. Fernandes is the fourth wealthy investor attracted to the west London club in the past four years, while Everton chairman Bill Kenwright has unearthed only hoaxers and, as a leaked transcript revealed in embarrassing detail this week, must reduce an overdraft capped at £25m. The result is rising anger among the Goodison Park faithful, stagnation at the club and, as illustrated against Neil Warnock's depleted, but disciplined side, a team that is as bereft of ideas and penetration in the final third as its manager is of funds. Not that Fernandes, Warnock or the delirious travelling hordes could have cared less as they tasted a first Premier League victory since April 1996, courtesy of Tommy Smith's measured first-half finish. "We've had a traumatic 48 hours, not only with the takeover, but with a stomach virus that went through the squad on Friday," said an ecstatic Warnock. "Adel Taarabt had it, Matthew Connolly, DJ Campbell collapsed with it in training and then Jay Bothroyd got it this morning. I am delighted for Tony. He deserves this, though I'd primed him about all of our problems beforehand in case we got battered." The takeover and the victory represented a new beginning for Rangers side trounced 4-0 by Bolton on their return to the Premier League following a 15-year absence last weekend. Moyes had hoped for the same, even revisiting his pre-season training notes from 2004-05, when Everton finished fourth, in an attempt to remedy the false starts that have hindered the club in recent years. Yet they emerged tortoise-like again. It would be remiss to pin the blame for Everton's poor start on financial constraints. The hosts offered nothing in attack and operated for 10 minutes without a recognised striker on the pitch when Moyes replaced the woeful Jermaine Beckford with Marouane Fellaini, a tactical move that improved the side, but drew derision from the Gwladys Street Stand. It should be noted, however, that Kenwright's visage appeared on the giant television screens as the substitution took place. The paucity of Everton's display was highlighted by the fact that 17-year-old Ross Barkley was unrivalled as the team's stand-out performer on his Premier League debut. The teenager, a right-footed central midfielder of stature, vision, strength and skill, began on the left, moved to the centre and finished on the right as Moyes sought to utilise his energy and willingness to shoot on sight. He was left to carry the fight alone. "I've told the players I am disappointed with all of them, but not Ross," the Everton manager said. "We hope he's got a fantastic future ahead of him, like one or two other players to emerge through the ranks here." Everton had their moments. Leighton Baines hit the bar with a trademark free-kick and Tim Cahill headed wide from two yards out, but Rangers had the precision when it counted and the authority in central defence to absorb their opponents' limited response. Alejandro Faurlín seized on a loose pass from Phil Jagielka, he found Akos Buzsaky, who slipped the ball inside for the unmarked Smith to finish low into the far corner. www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/aug/20/everton-queens-park-rangers-premier-league |
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Post by RoryTheRanger on Aug 21, 2011 10:19:00 GMT
In The Sunday Mail's sports pull-out today they rated Ali Faurlin as the best player in any game yesterday and Danny Gabbidon was rated best defender statistically.
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Post by blueeyedcptcook on Aug 21, 2011 11:32:26 GMT
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Post by Zamoraaaah on Aug 21, 2011 11:57:29 GMT
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Post by Macmoish on Aug 22, 2011 7:38:50 GMT
To continue the reports  TELEGRAPH
Neil Warnock set for spending free to boost Queens Park Rangers
Saturday's 1-0 victory was a day of firsts for Neil Warnock: Queens Park Rangers' first Premier League goal, and points, of the season in a victory over a limp, lifeless Everton.
Rory SmithIt was also the club’s first win in the top flight for 15 years, and the first — and most likely only — use of the word Utopia in the corridors of Goodison Park this season. The QPR manager was using it to describe his delight at the successful conclusion of the club’s search for new owners. He was using it with the Cheshire Cat grin of a man who has been told by his new boss, Tony Fernandes, that money is no object, that he can sign the sort of players he has always coveted. Scott Parker and Joe Cole are first on the list. He was using it with genuine glee. “I have given them names and they are as excited as I am at bringing some of them in,” said Warnock, his off-pitch euphoria matched only by his joy at Tommy Smith’s winning goal, half an hour in, which exorcised the ghosts of his side’s opening day, 4-0 drubbing by Bolton. “It is wonderful.” Warnock does not even have to contend with the usual lingering fear that new owners mean new managers. “His passion and enthusiasm are very infectious,” said Fernandes, the new Rangers majority shareholder, yesterday. “He is the kind of guy that can motivate the team to perform as they did [at Goodison] and I think he’s a special guy. He is a good guy and we are very happy with him.” The affection is clearly reciprocated. Only Warnock’s almost childlike inability to conceal his glee stops it short of being nauseating. This is a man who has spent his life at football’s coalface and who now finds himself invited to a glittering soirée. It would be tasteless to accuse him of a lack of class. “In 10 days we have got to get four or five players,” he said. “That is something that should have taken us 12 weeks so we have got to be a little bit lucky as well. "But we will not just spend money for the sake of it. We have to get quality players in. “Joe Cole? We can probably afford 30 or 40 per cent of his wages now. The chairman knows all my targets and we will be discussing them. “This man coming in, Tony Fernandes, is a dream come true. You do not often get the opportunity to look at players I have only dreamed about. I am in Utopia.” In truth, so is Moyes, though he may not know it. Utopia is a shimmering chimera of a word. It does not just mean an ideal place. It also means no place at all. As his players trudged from the field, jeered by their own fans, that familiar sinking feeling settling in, the Scot would have been forgiven for thinking that the Premier League’s nearly men have become the nowhere men. One defeat should not be enough to write off a season — Warnock, for one, insists that Everton “always” struggle early on and invariably “end up in Europe by Christmas” — but the manner of this surrender was troubling. Other than the teenage Ross Barkley, a glimmering shaft of light in the gloom, Everton created little. Tim Cahill headed wide from two yards in the first half and fired straight at the impressive Paddy Kenny after the interval. There was no concerted pressure, no guttural Gwladys Street roar. Evidence enough for Moyes to reiterate his prediction that Everton may struggle to make the top 10. “I don’t say that because of what we can do but because of what other teams have done as regards spending,” he said. “A lot of teams have improved. You could hear after the game [negativity setting in]. “The team always dictates the mood of the supporters,” added the Everton manager. “It was not because we weren’t trying, it was because we lacked the quality to win in the final third of the pitch. "But that should not surprise anyone who watched us last season.” That is the concern, of course. Everton’s travails are nothing new. QPR are just the latest side to find their land of milk and honey. Moyes and his team remain condemned to wander their no-man’s-land, hamstrung by penury. They are in Utopia, too. Just not the sort they want to talk about. www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/8714275/Neil-Warnock-set-for-spending-free-to-boost-Queens-Park-Rangers.htmlGUARDIAN
QPR and Neil Warnock cock-a-hoop with post-takeover win at Everton
• Warnock plans transfer-market plunge before window closes
• Victory at Goodison is one of manager's 'best career results' * Andy Hunter at Goodison Park Goodison Park, all faded grandeur and growing resentment, resembled the Garden of Eden to Neil Warnock. Having savoured "one of the best results" of an extensive career, the Queens Park Rangers manager outlined plans to enjoy the fruits of Tony Fernandes's £35m takeover in the final days of the transfer window. It was almost as if he had been hand-picked to increase the torment for David Moyes. Not content with condemning Everton to another false start to a Premier League season, and their first home league defeat since November, Warnock spoke afterwards of making four or five signings before the deadline. He now works for an owner with ambitions for a new stadium, who has stated support for his manager and who is the fourth wealthy individual to invest in QPR in four years. As with all takeovers, the proof of Fernandes's worth is yet to be determined. But he fatally undermines the Everton owner Bill Kenwright's argument that no one is in the market for a Premier League club these days. Scott Parker and Joe Cole are two Warnock targets and their experience would be invaluable to QPR's survival efforts, although his team showed admirable composure in defence and on the ball without them on Saturday. Nervousness was understandable in a side beaten 4-0 on their return to the Premier League the previous weekend. Once Tommy Smith had rounded off an incisive move from Phil Jagielka's poor clearance with a finish to match, however, and Tim Cahill had squandered a chance to equalise from two yards out, QPR banked their first top-flight victory for 15 years without alarm. "I am in Utopia," said Warnock. "When we pulled up there was a sense of 'Wow, this is Goodison'. There was a sense of trepidation after losing 4-0 at home, but we are going to get beaten 4-0 again so it just goes to show that life is too short. You have just got to look to the next game. "It has been a difficult summer but with this man coming in, Tony Fernandes, and with Amit Bhatia, who was instrumental in me coming here in the first place, coming back, it's like a dream come true. I know sometimes when a new man comes in they like to bring a new manager, but he will support me to the hilt. At the end of the day you have to get results but if you have got the support and don't get the results, you don't mind getting the bullet. That is why I am going to enjoy it. You don't often get the opportunity to look at players I have only dreamed about. It is the first time in my career I have had that." Fernandes, who has confirmed he is looking to build a "bigger stadium and a nicer stadium" than Loftus Road, said: "Neil's the kind of guy that can motivate the team to perform as they did against Everton and I think he's a special guy. He's a good guy and we're very happy with him." The money and the mood around QPR provided a stark contrast with Everton. Only Ross Barkley, a 17-year-old debutant, impressed in royal blue as fans condemned Moyes's decision to withdraw his only striker, although the introduction of Marouane Fellaini for Jermaine Beckford improved the team and some jeers may have been for Kenwright, whose exasperated face appeared onscreen at the same moment. "The team will always dictate the mood of the supporters," said the Everton manager, whose captain, Phil Neville, has signed a contract extension to 2013. "If we had won they would be saying we don't need players and we are all right. It wasn't because we weren't trying and were not organised, and it wasn't because of the way we train them. It was because we lacked the quality which is required at times to win games in the final third of the pitch. But that shouldn't surprise anyone who watched Everton last season."
Man of the match Fitz Hall (QPR)www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/aug/21/everton-qpr
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Post by Macmoish on Aug 22, 2011 9:09:46 GMT
QPR OFFICIAL SITE
SMITH: 'TRUE TEAM PERFORMANCE'Posted on: Mon 22 Aug 2011 R's attacker Tommy Smith earned a joyous QPR their first Premier League victory since 1996 on Saturday, with a first-half strike that proved to be the decisive factor of the afternoon. Despite grabbing all the headlines, Smith praised his spirited team mates, who were all rewarded with all three points for their gutsy Goodison Park performance. Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, Smith said: "I'm delighted. It was a true team performance and something that we needed after the disappointment of last week. "Everyone was fairly low early this week in training. "We needed to make sure we picked ourselves up and worked hard. "I think our confidence was knocked slightly by the opening day defeat, but it was important that we put what happened last week to bed." Smith's 31st minute winner rounded off a memorable week, both on and off the pitch, for Rangers: "I just found that little half a yard inside the box. It was a great ball in and I was just delighted to see it go into the corner," said the 31 year-old. "We put in a good solid performance and looked fairly dangerous on the counter attack. "We looked solid at the back and I think they ran out of ideas in the end, which was all credit to us. "I think we had some good passing movement and you could see the confidence growing as the match went on. "Coming here is always going to be tough. There's always a really good atmosphere, the pitch is quite small and the crowd are close to the pitch, so you really do feel everything. "It's a great place to come and play and you can see why they've got such a good home record, but again that just goes to show what a great performance it was from us." www.qpr.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~2427714,00.html
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Post by Macmoish on Dec 7, 2014 11:29:31 GMT
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