March 7, 2001- relegation-headed QPR drew 1-1 at home to Watford. Ngone scoring for QPRBBC - QPR 1-1 Watford
Maddix returned after a two-year absence through injury
Promotion-chasing Watford came from behind with a stirring second-half fightback to salvage a point against relegation-haunted QPR at Loftus Road.
New Rangers boss Ian Holloway had made five changes following Saturday's dismal defeat by Sheffield United.
And the move looked to have paid dividends when the home side took a deserved, but controversial, lead just after the break.
Giant striker Peter Crouch was felled in the box by Nigel Gibbs, leaving referee Andy D'Urso with little option but to point to the spot.
But Gavin Peacock's penalty was brilliantly saved Espen Baardsen only for the official to order a re-take for encroachment.
This time former Watford striker Michel Ngonge stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way.
QPR had controlled the first half, with winger Tony Scully, making his first start of the season, looking particularly dangerous.
In the very first minute he cut in from the right to let fly from 20 yards with a shot which Baardsen could only gather at the second attempt.
Then on 11 minutes he latched on to Crouch's flick-header but looped his volley over.
Against the run of play
Recalled QPR keeper Lee Harper was at his best, making smart saves from Tommy Mooney and Peter Kennedy in the first-half, but for the rest of the time it was QPR calling the shots.
Peacock shot over on 25 minutes when well placed while Crouch's goal-bound shot which was deflected inches wide.
The Hornets posed more of a menace after the break and went close on 47 minutes when Smith's turn and shot was palmed away by Harper.
Ngonge's penalty signalled QPR's best period of the game, with Jermaine Darlington causing havoc on the left. But they just could not get that vital second goal.
Watford's equaliser came out of the blue. With 66 minutes gone, Tommy Smith stormed down the left before delivering a perfect cross onto the head of Nielsen, who glanced the ball into the corner.
The Hornets sensed a victory was there for the taking but Rangers held firm.
QPR: Harper, Darlington, Ready, Plummer, Baraclough, Scully, Peacock, Murray, Perry, Crouch, Ngonge. Subs: Miklosko, Maddix, Kulcsar, Kiwomya, Warren.
Watford: Baardsen, Gibbs, Ward, Panayi, Robinson, Kennedy, Nielsen, Vernazza, Wooter, Smith, Mooney. Subs: Chamberlain, Cox, Easton, Perpetuini, Fisken. Referee: A D'Urso (Billericay).
BBC Thursday, 8 March, 2001,
Taylor takes swipe at referee
Watford boss Graham Taylor has hit out at referee Andy D'Urso following his side's 1-1 draw with QPR at Loftus Road.
D'Urso awarded Rangers a penalty and then allowed them to retake it after Espen Baardsen had made a brilliant save because of encroachment.
I think D'Urso refs more for the assessor than for the players
Graham Taylor
"Two years ago here the same referee gave another dubious penalty in exactly the same place on the pitch - it must be something about that blade of grass," said Taylor.
"He gives what he sees, but then to let them retake because of encroachment is incredible.
"The last time I saw that was seven or eight years ago, and if you are going to do that then every penalty will be retaken.
"There are some referees who have to play a part in the game. They feel that they have to get themselves noticed.
"I think he refs more for the assessor than for the players."
To let us take the penalty twice was delightful but sometimes you deserve that little piece of luck
Ian Holloway
QPR's new manager Ian Holloway was relieved that Watford's misfortune helped his team to a vital point.
"I was biting my nails at the end along with all the other supporters, so I was really pleased we held on for the point," he said.
And Holloway jokingly praised D'Urso: "I thought the ref had a really good game.
"To let us take the penalty twice was delightful but sometimes you deserve that little piece of luck."
Nineteen years ago, Gerry Francis' QPR were starting to fly: Crushing Man City 4-0 at Loftus RoadTwo Years ago: Sousa's QPR drew 0-0 at home to (Kevin Blackwell's) Sheff Ut
QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Stewart, Leigertwood, Routledge, Blackstock, Gorkss, Connolly, Miller, Lòpez, Di Carmine.
Subs: Mahon, Hall, Balanta, Alberti, Ephraim.
Sheffield United: Kenny, Halford, Naysmith, Morgan, Kilgallon, Henderson, Webber, Montgomery, Howard, Quinn, Naughton.
Subs: Lupoli, Ward, Beattie, O'Toole, Bromby.
Min-by-Min -
www.sportinglife.com/football/live_match/169407.htmlSOUSA
"... - Rangers' own play-off bid continues to flag and they have not won at home since December, but boss Paulo Sousa is not feeling the pressure despite Italian owner Flavio Briatore's record of hiring and firing.
- "Mediterranean people are never patient," he admitted. "But he's a very ambitious person but he knows we are in a good way.
- "When I came Flavio asked me to create a consistent, solid team and our aim is the Premier League.
- "We have improved in the last year and a half and next season we will be much, much better
BLACKWELL
"...Kevin Blackwell branded Paddy Kenny "the best goalkeeper in the Championship" after his saves helped extend Sheffield United's club-record run in the 0-0 draw at QPR</strong>.
- Kenny, who was transfer-listed over Christmas after turning up late for training, has buried the hatchet with Blades boss Blackwell and earned his side a point with some fine saves - notably from Rangers striker Dexter Blackstock.
- "I didn't want Paddy to go anyway but, sometimes you have to do certain things within your club," said Blackwell, whose side are now unbeaten on the road in 13 league games.
- "He's been brilliant. I rate him as the best goalkeeper in the Championship and a capable Premier League goalkeeper.
- "If you are going to break records you need everyone to do something and he did."
- The Blades were blunted in the first half with Rangers well on top, but they could not find a way past Kenny.
- In the 10th minute Blackstock raced on to Mikele Leigertwood's long ball only to fire too close to the 30-year-old keeper.
- Blackstock came even closer moments later when he collected Liam Miller's pass on the edge of the area, turned and shot in one movement and saw Kenny tip an awkward, bouncing ball over the top.
- The visitors did liven up after the break and Nick Montgomery's fierce strike from 20 yards forced a smart stop from Radek Cerny in the Rangers goal.
- Cerny was in action again in the 54th minute, beating away Danny Webber's angled shot.
- But Kenny ensured his side pocketed a point towards their promotion bid when he kept out a point-blank header from Blackstock, while Rangers sub Matteo Alberti blazed over.
- United dropped a place to fifth but Blackwell is still targeting a top-two finish and automatic promotion.
- "We had chances at the end so it was a fair result," added Blackwell.
- "We've still go to play teams up there. I think the last 10 games will be exciting.
- "All you can do is keep doing your best. It's all to play for and if we go for automatic promotion and fall just short, we've still got the play-offs."
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