Post by QPR Report on Nov 3, 2009 23:03:33 GMT
QPR Official Site
MAGILTON: 'WE DESERVED MORE'
Jim Magilton was adamant his side deserved all three points, as a pulsating London derby against Crystal Palace ended in honours even at Loftus Road.
Rangers took the lead through a first half Akos Buzsaky spot-kick, only for the Eagles to draw level courtesy of a Darren Ambrose penalty just after the hour.
The R's dominated for much of the remaining half an hour, but Palace custodian Julian Speroni was in inspired form, notably denying Rowan Vine and Akos Buzsaky with stunning saves, as the Hoops threw everything at their opponents.
"We created plenty of chances," Magilton told www.qpr.co.uk.
"You always worry when you're only one nil up and not taking the many chances that come your way, and tonight their goalkeeper has kept them in it.
"It's another step in the right direction for us though - another point on the board.
"There were plenty of positives on the night, but maybe we need to be a bit more ruthless and determined at times. I can't really fault them though."
Magilton added: "It was a physical battle and I thought we stood up to it.
"Palace are a very hardworking side - just like any of Neil Warnock's outfits. But we worked tirelessly and were the better side on the night and deserved more than we got.
"We've had a string of games where we've made and taken plenty of chances. Tonight we made loads again, but didn't take them.
"But that doesn't worry me. I'll be worried when we're not creating at all!"
Magilton wasn't altogether convinced that referee Mr Russell was right to award Palace a second half spot-kick, with Freddie Sears appearing to be in an offside position when he was put through on goal.
"I'd like to see the replay again, because in real time it looked as though Sears was well offside.
"Again, we could have defended it better, but I thought it was a soft decision to point to the spot."
www.qpr.co.uk/page/TheGaffer/0,,10373~1846077,00.html
QPR Official Site
Rangers and Crystal Palace shared the spoils in an enthralling London derby.
Akos Buzsaky's goal midway through the first half looked to be the deciding factor, as he notched from the penalty spot after Adel Taarabt was originally brought down in the area.
But the Eagles weren't to be denied, as Darren Ambrose buried a penalty of his own soon after the hour mark.
The draw saw Rangers climb up to sixth place and into the play-off zone, as Jim Magilton's charges continue to put the pressure on the Coca-Cola Championship's front-runners.
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R's gaffer Magilton made two changes from the side that was defeated at home by Leicester City on Friday evening, as no less than five former Palace players lined up for the hosts.
Fitz Hall, Mikele Leigertwood, Wayne Routledge, Ben Watson and Gary Borrowdale were all handed starts for Rangers.
Watson returned after completing a two-match suspension to replace Peter Ramage, whilst Hall started in place of the injured Damion Stewart (foot).
Therefore, with Radek Cerny again in goal for Rangers, Leigertwood, Hall, Kaspars Gorkss and Borrowdale started in defence.
Buzsaky and Taarabt occupied the wide berths in midfield, supported by Watson and Alejandro Faurlin.
Routledge and Jay Simpson led the R's attack.
Looking to continue their impressive record in London derbies - having not been beaten in one since December 2007 - Rangers went on the attack from the first whistle.
Just a few minutes had passed when after a long ball was played up to Routledge from defence; the R's wing wizard controlled superbly before unleashing a fierce low drive on target, but the outstanding Julian Speroni got down well to gather the strike.
Routledge's effort, in truth, was the only real chance to note in the opening 15 minutes, even though Leigertwood was unlucky not to find the target with a drilled attempt from 25-yards out.
But the R's always looked the greater force in attack, and that was proven when after some delicious build-up play, they were awarded a penalty.
Passes were exchanged in the Eagles half between Simpson, Routledge and Taarabt, before the latter was brought down when trying to beat his man inside the area.
Hungarian international Buzsaky stepped up to take the spot-kick and made no mistake from 12-yards out, sending Speroni the wrong way to put the R's into the lead.
Soon after, the visitors broke at pace from a Rangers corner, and when Darren Ambrose centered after good work down the right, Stern John somehow hit the outside of Cerny's left-hand post when it seemed easier to find the target.
That missed opportunity seemed to spring Palace into life, and again they almost found the net when Ambrose's corner from the left created a goalmouth scramble in the R's box, but Cerny rose well to claim the loose ball.
Rangers finished the half the stronger of the two sides and they missed a golden opportunity to double their advantage seconds before the break.
After the referee allowed Taarabt to play on after Simpson was felled on halfway, the Tottenham loanee played an exquisite ball to Routledge.
Through on goal with only the goalkeeper to beat, Routledge seemed certain to score, but he could only fire narrowly wide of Speroni's left-hand post.
Simpson could have also netted just short of the interval, but his attempt from close-range was tipped wide by Speroni after a clever pass from Watson.
Encouraged by how they had finished the first half, Rangers came out after the break intent on adding to their numerical advantage.
And after the R's won a free-kick around 25 yards from goal, Faurlin only marginally fired over with a lovely curling effort.
Moments later, Faurlin was again in on the act and went even closer to adding a second goal for Rangers.
After passes went back and forth between Routledge and Taarabt, the latter squared for Faurlin, but Speroni did well to tip the Argentine's blasted attempt wide for a corner.
The R's were now comfortably in control. After a fine passing move between Simpson, Buzsaky and Taarabt, the Moroccan international was only prevented from finding the net when his dinked effort over Speroni was cleared off the line by an Eagles defender.
Play then switched to the other end and - against the run of play - Palace equalised after they were awarded a penalty.
Hall fouled Freddie Sears - who had looked marginally offside when receiving the ball - inside the area, and Ambrose tucked the ball away past Cerny to draw the Eagles level.
Rangers weren't too discouraged by the setback, however, as they went in search of regaining the lead.
First, Taarabt curled an effort wide from fully 30-yards out, before the Spurs loanee again fired just over after good build-up play involving Routledge.
This was now real end-to-end stuff, and Cerny did well to hold on to an Ambrose header after a cross from Neil Danns down the left.
Moments later, the R's won a free-kick on the edge of the box, but Speroni expertly tipped away Buzsaky's fizzing free-kick.
Late on, Rangers thought they had won it when substitute Rowan Vine's drive seemed to be heading for the top right-hand corner of the net. But Speroni was again on hand to tip the ball wide for a corner, as honours ended even.
QPR: Cerny, Hall, Leigertwood, Routledge, Buzsaky (Ephraim 78), Gorkss, Watson, Faurlin, Simpson (Vine 74), Borrowdale, Taarabt (Agyemang 74).
Subs not used: Heaton, Ramage, Alberti, Ainsworth.
Goals: Buzsaky (pen 18)
Bookings: Routledge (32)
Crystal Palace: Speroni, Hill, Derry, Fonte, Ambrose, Danns (Hills 84), John (Lee 67), Butterfield, Ertl, Davis, N'Diaye (Sears 46).
Subs not used: Clyne, Carle, Moses, Scannell.
Goals: Ambrose (pen 62)
Bookings: Davis (78)
Referee: Mr M P Russell
Attendance: 14, 377
www.qpr.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10373~48750,00.html
MAGILTON: 'WE DESERVED MORE'
Jim Magilton was adamant his side deserved all three points, as a pulsating London derby against Crystal Palace ended in honours even at Loftus Road.
Rangers took the lead through a first half Akos Buzsaky spot-kick, only for the Eagles to draw level courtesy of a Darren Ambrose penalty just after the hour.
The R's dominated for much of the remaining half an hour, but Palace custodian Julian Speroni was in inspired form, notably denying Rowan Vine and Akos Buzsaky with stunning saves, as the Hoops threw everything at their opponents.
"We created plenty of chances," Magilton told www.qpr.co.uk.
"You always worry when you're only one nil up and not taking the many chances that come your way, and tonight their goalkeeper has kept them in it.
"It's another step in the right direction for us though - another point on the board.
"There were plenty of positives on the night, but maybe we need to be a bit more ruthless and determined at times. I can't really fault them though."
Magilton added: "It was a physical battle and I thought we stood up to it.
"Palace are a very hardworking side - just like any of Neil Warnock's outfits. But we worked tirelessly and were the better side on the night and deserved more than we got.
"We've had a string of games where we've made and taken plenty of chances. Tonight we made loads again, but didn't take them.
"But that doesn't worry me. I'll be worried when we're not creating at all!"
Magilton wasn't altogether convinced that referee Mr Russell was right to award Palace a second half spot-kick, with Freddie Sears appearing to be in an offside position when he was put through on goal.
"I'd like to see the replay again, because in real time it looked as though Sears was well offside.
"Again, we could have defended it better, but I thought it was a soft decision to point to the spot."
www.qpr.co.uk/page/TheGaffer/0,,10373~1846077,00.html
QPR Official Site
Rangers and Crystal Palace shared the spoils in an enthralling London derby.
Akos Buzsaky's goal midway through the first half looked to be the deciding factor, as he notched from the penalty spot after Adel Taarabt was originally brought down in the area.
But the Eagles weren't to be denied, as Darren Ambrose buried a penalty of his own soon after the hour mark.
The draw saw Rangers climb up to sixth place and into the play-off zone, as Jim Magilton's charges continue to put the pressure on the Coca-Cola Championship's front-runners.
Article continues
Advertisement
MPU
R's gaffer Magilton made two changes from the side that was defeated at home by Leicester City on Friday evening, as no less than five former Palace players lined up for the hosts.
Fitz Hall, Mikele Leigertwood, Wayne Routledge, Ben Watson and Gary Borrowdale were all handed starts for Rangers.
Watson returned after completing a two-match suspension to replace Peter Ramage, whilst Hall started in place of the injured Damion Stewart (foot).
Therefore, with Radek Cerny again in goal for Rangers, Leigertwood, Hall, Kaspars Gorkss and Borrowdale started in defence.
Buzsaky and Taarabt occupied the wide berths in midfield, supported by Watson and Alejandro Faurlin.
Routledge and Jay Simpson led the R's attack.
Looking to continue their impressive record in London derbies - having not been beaten in one since December 2007 - Rangers went on the attack from the first whistle.
Just a few minutes had passed when after a long ball was played up to Routledge from defence; the R's wing wizard controlled superbly before unleashing a fierce low drive on target, but the outstanding Julian Speroni got down well to gather the strike.
Routledge's effort, in truth, was the only real chance to note in the opening 15 minutes, even though Leigertwood was unlucky not to find the target with a drilled attempt from 25-yards out.
But the R's always looked the greater force in attack, and that was proven when after some delicious build-up play, they were awarded a penalty.
Passes were exchanged in the Eagles half between Simpson, Routledge and Taarabt, before the latter was brought down when trying to beat his man inside the area.
Hungarian international Buzsaky stepped up to take the spot-kick and made no mistake from 12-yards out, sending Speroni the wrong way to put the R's into the lead.
Soon after, the visitors broke at pace from a Rangers corner, and when Darren Ambrose centered after good work down the right, Stern John somehow hit the outside of Cerny's left-hand post when it seemed easier to find the target.
That missed opportunity seemed to spring Palace into life, and again they almost found the net when Ambrose's corner from the left created a goalmouth scramble in the R's box, but Cerny rose well to claim the loose ball.
Rangers finished the half the stronger of the two sides and they missed a golden opportunity to double their advantage seconds before the break.
After the referee allowed Taarabt to play on after Simpson was felled on halfway, the Tottenham loanee played an exquisite ball to Routledge.
Through on goal with only the goalkeeper to beat, Routledge seemed certain to score, but he could only fire narrowly wide of Speroni's left-hand post.
Simpson could have also netted just short of the interval, but his attempt from close-range was tipped wide by Speroni after a clever pass from Watson.
Encouraged by how they had finished the first half, Rangers came out after the break intent on adding to their numerical advantage.
And after the R's won a free-kick around 25 yards from goal, Faurlin only marginally fired over with a lovely curling effort.
Moments later, Faurlin was again in on the act and went even closer to adding a second goal for Rangers.
After passes went back and forth between Routledge and Taarabt, the latter squared for Faurlin, but Speroni did well to tip the Argentine's blasted attempt wide for a corner.
The R's were now comfortably in control. After a fine passing move between Simpson, Buzsaky and Taarabt, the Moroccan international was only prevented from finding the net when his dinked effort over Speroni was cleared off the line by an Eagles defender.
Play then switched to the other end and - against the run of play - Palace equalised after they were awarded a penalty.
Hall fouled Freddie Sears - who had looked marginally offside when receiving the ball - inside the area, and Ambrose tucked the ball away past Cerny to draw the Eagles level.
Rangers weren't too discouraged by the setback, however, as they went in search of regaining the lead.
First, Taarabt curled an effort wide from fully 30-yards out, before the Spurs loanee again fired just over after good build-up play involving Routledge.
This was now real end-to-end stuff, and Cerny did well to hold on to an Ambrose header after a cross from Neil Danns down the left.
Moments later, the R's won a free-kick on the edge of the box, but Speroni expertly tipped away Buzsaky's fizzing free-kick.
Late on, Rangers thought they had won it when substitute Rowan Vine's drive seemed to be heading for the top right-hand corner of the net. But Speroni was again on hand to tip the ball wide for a corner, as honours ended even.
QPR: Cerny, Hall, Leigertwood, Routledge, Buzsaky (Ephraim 78), Gorkss, Watson, Faurlin, Simpson (Vine 74), Borrowdale, Taarabt (Agyemang 74).
Subs not used: Heaton, Ramage, Alberti, Ainsworth.
Goals: Buzsaky (pen 18)
Bookings: Routledge (32)
Crystal Palace: Speroni, Hill, Derry, Fonte, Ambrose, Danns (Hills 84), John (Lee 67), Butterfield, Ertl, Davis, N'Diaye (Sears 46).
Subs not used: Clyne, Carle, Moses, Scannell.
Goals: Ambrose (pen 62)
Bookings: Davis (78)
Referee: Mr M P Russell
Attendance: 14, 377
www.qpr.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10373~48750,00.html
