Palace Reports & Comments, Photos of GP & Bottles!

[Macmoish]

QPR Official Site

Heidar Helguson bagged a brace, as QPR strengthened their position at the summit of the npower Championship thanks to a 2-1 victory over ten-man Crystal Palace.

Helguson notched a goal in each half - the second from the spot - after James Vaughan drew the Eagles level in a rip-roaring first half.

Icelandic international Helguson opened the scoring in the 20th minute, firing home from close range following a sublime piece of wide play from Adel Taarabt.

Vaughan drew Palace level against the run of play, but the R's started the second half on the front foot.

Taarabt was the tormentor-in-chief and when Paddy McCarthy sent him tumbling to ground on 53 minutes, referee Mr Atkinson was left with no alternative but to show the Eagles skipper a red card.

Helguson duly stepped up to send Julian Speroni the wrong way from the 12-yards, to the delight of the majority of the capacity crowd in W12.

Neil Warnock made two changes to his R's side - one enforced - for the visit of the Eagles.

Danny Shittu, who was serving a one-match suspension following his red card in Tuesday night's 2-0 defeat at Millwall, was replaced by Fitz Hall.

Meanwhile, Tommy Smith returned from a hamstring injury and came into the starting line-up at the expense of Akos Buzsaky.

Paddy Kenny was in goal for QPR.

Bradley Orr, Hall, Kaspars Gorkss and Clint Hill began in defence.

Shaun Derry and Alejandro Faurlin were in defensive midfield, behind attacking trio Wayne Routledge, Taarabt and Smith.

Helguson led the R's line in attack.

Rangers had the first opportunity to note.

Derry picked up possession midway into the Palace half and, when he fed Taarabt 25 yards from goal, the magical Moroccan dragged an effort just wide of Speroni's right-hand post.

Taarabt looked in the mood.

A lovely exchange of passes ended in the R's number seven finding space out wide on the right, before his beautifully-weighted centre - that seemed destined to find the head of the waiting Helguson - was cleared to safety after McCarthy's superb timely intervention.

Rangers raced into the lead on 20 minutes.

It was a fine passage of passing play that led to the R's opener, with Derry providing the catalyst with a classic through ball.

It enabled Taarabt to find space on the right-hand side of the box and, when his cross-come-shot flashed across the face of goal, there waited Helguson at the back post to slide home.

Four minutes later, QPR almost doubled their lead.

Smith fed Taarabt halfway into Palace territory, before the former Tottenham Hotspur ace drove at the target and flashed an effort just wide of the right-hand post.

Soon after, Taarabt was again on the case and, after Orr fed the QPR attacker from the right, he fired a shot straight at Speroni.

Taarabt was running the show and it was his killer ball that almost led to an R's second before the break, with his pass finding Smith out wide on the left, before the former Watford and Portsmouth man's cross was nodded over the bar by Helguson.

An unlikely Palace equaliser arrived just short of half-time.

A free-flowing Eagles move ended in Darren Ambrose sliding Vaughan in on goal, before the Everton loanee was coolness personified from 12-yards out to slide the ball past an advancing Kenny.

But Rangers could have still gone in at the interval in front.

Taarabt's trickery enabled him to slide Routledge in on goal down the left-hand side of the box, before the diminutive wide-man - who was under pressure from his marker - blasted an effort over the target.

Rangers started the second period in positive fashion.

Brilliant play from Faurlin saw him manoeuvre his way past his marker down the left, before the Argentine midfielder's cross - that seemed certain to find Helguson on six yards - was nodded to safety by Anthony Gardner.

But the R's didn't have to wait too much longer for a second and, after McCarthy was shown his marching orders for hauling last man Taarabt to the ground inside the box, they doubled their lead from the spot.

Routledge's fantastic long-range pass sparked a race between McCarthy and Taarabt, before the Moroccan international did superbly well to muscle his way past the Eagles defender, who eventually felled the QPR playmaker.

It left referee Mr Atkinson with no other option but to show McCarthy a straight red card, before Helguson stepped up to slide home his, and the R's, second.

QPR: Kenny, Orr, Hill, Derry, Hall, Taarabt (Buzsaky , Helguson, Faurlin, Gorkss, Routledge, Smith (Ephraim 86).

Subs: Cerny, Connolly, Hulse, Miller, Chimbonda.

Goals: Helguson (20 & 54 (pen))

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Clyne, Wright (Zaha 75), McCarthy, Ambrose, Danns, Iversen (Davis 55), Vaughan (Easter 62), Moxey, Gardner, Dikgacoi.

Subs: Price, Scannell, Counago, Agustien.

Goals: Vaughan (40)

Bookings: Vaughan (7), Danns (37), Dikgacoi (82)

Red Cards: McCarthy (53)

Referee: Mr M Atkinson

Attendance: 18,116 (3185)

www.qpr.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10373~52614,00.html

[Macmoish]

Crystal Palace Official Site

Crystal Palace arrived at the home of the league leaders with only one defeat in their last seven visits and named an unchanged side following their midweek victory against Cardiff City.

Loan signing Kemy Agustien started his first game in a Palace shirt on the bench while Queens Park Rangers made two changes as Fitz Hall and and Tommy Smith came in for Shittu and Buzsaky.

The game kicked off in front of a capacity Loftus Road crowd with over 3000 Palace fans having made the trip across London.

Palace had a bright start to proceedings but it was the home side who had the first shot at goal as Adel Taarabt was found by Shaun Derry just inside the box and his shot went wide of Julian Speroni's left hand post.

Just before the quarter hour mark and Taarabt was involved again as his cross from the right is so close to reaching Heidar Helguson as he dives in towards goal but just fails to connect as the cross came over.

The breakthrough came from the same combination as Taarabt got space in the box as he collected the pass from Derry and his cross was converted from close range by Helguson to give Rangers the lead on 19 minutes.

Two more efforts from Taarabt see one fired wide of the target from distance and then he ran into space and this time his shot was saved by Speroni diving to his left hand side on the half hour mark of the game.

Palace had soaked up the pressure from the home side and then five minutes before the break got the game back on level terms as Neil Danns broke forward and found Darren Ambrose who played an excellent ball through to James Vaughan who made no mistake as fired the ball past Paddy Kenny on 40 minutes.

Just before the break Wayne Routledge had a late chance in the half but his shot went over the bar and the visitors at the break had got back on level terms with that fine equaliser.

Bad start for Palace at the start of the half as referee Martin Atkinson shows a red card to Paddy McCarthy for a foul on Taarabt and a penalty is awarded. Helguson makes no mistake from the spot as he converts the penalty easily with his second of the afternoon.

A quick change made by Dougie Freedman as he brings on Claude Davis into the centre of defence at the expense of Steffen Iversen. Just past the hour mark and yellow carded Vaughan is also replaced, this time it was Jermaine Easter who came on from the bench.

Palace enjoyed some good possession after going down in numbers but the home side continued to look a threat going forward and Helguson saw his header land on the roof of the net and then Speroni saves almost on the line as the ball appears to come back off the post from the same player.

Late pressure from the visitors brings two corners but no further opportunities although credit must be given to ten man Palace how they kept going against Neil Warnock's league leaders.

Both sides played out the four minutes of added time with no further addition to the three goals but Palace heartned with the news elsewhere that results for the teams below us went for us although Derby and Middlesbrough picked up points above us.

www.cpfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10323~52614,00.html

[Macmoish]

TABLE

QPR 37 73 36 59 2-1 FT v Crystal Palace
Swansea 37 63 16 50 1-2 FT v Derby

Norwich 36 63 13 58
Cardiff 36 61 14 55
Leeds 37 61 11 69 0-0 FT v Ipswich
Nottm Forest 37 60 14 46 0-0 FT v Doncaster

Burnley 35 56 9 51 0-3 FT v Millwall
Hull 37 55 4 41 1-0 FT v Coventry
Leicester 37 55 1 56 3-0 FT v Sc**thorpe
Reading 36 54 17 59 P-P v Preston
Watford 36 53 12 64 3-0 FT v Sheff Utd
Millwall 37 53 11 48 3-0 FT v Burnley
Portsmouth 37 51 1 49 0-0 FT v Middlesbrough
Bristol City 36 47 -4 47
Ipswich 36 46 0 46 0-0 FT v Leeds
Barnsley 36 46 -10 42
Doncaster 37 44 -17 49 0-0 FT v Nottm Forest
Derby 37 43 -5 46 2-1 FT v Swansea
Coventry 36 41 -8 38 0-1 FT v Hull
Middlesbrough 36 41 -9 44 0-0 FT v Portsmouth
Crystal Palace 37 38 -22 35 1-2 FT v QPR

Sc**thorpe 36 34 -30 33 0-3 FT v Leicester
Sheff Utd 37 32 -27 32 0-3 FT v Watford
Preston 35 25 -27 37 P-P v Reading


Sporting Life

[eastpaddoknutta]

Me with buzz

Attachments:

[eastpaddoknutta]

Me with Ali

Attachments:

[blockhead]

I recognised epn by his car sticker!

hey EPN everyone thinks my mate looks like an undercover coppper.

[eastpaddoknutta]

You move like a plain clothed police officer

[klr]

Hope you hadnt partaken in the old jazz cigarettes, before meeting those clean living chaps & professional sportsman Mr Nutta ?!

[Macmoish]

Warnock's Comments - QPR Official Site

WARNOCK: 'THOROUGHLY DESERVED'
Posted on: Sat 12 Mar 2011

R's gaffer Neil Warnock told www.qpr.co.uk that he felt his side 'thoroughly deserved' their 2-1 victory over London neighbours Crystal Palace this afternoon (Saturday).

In front of a season's best crowd at Loftus Road, Heidar Helguson's deadly double clinched the win for QPR, with James Vaughan's 40th minute strike sandwiched in between the Icelandic striker's two goals.

Warnock said: "Palace showed they're going to fight for their lives.

"We played some good stuff today.

"The scoreline doesn't flatter anybody - we thoroughly deserved it."

Adel Taarabt was given a standing ovation by the Rangers faithful when was replaced by Akos Buzsaky in the 89th minute following a superb individual display, with Warnock commenting: "He's a good lad.

"I would imagine that he's tested me more than any other player in my career, but I've enjoyed every moment.

"It's like a merry-go-round, up and down and we have our days.

"But when you see him in full flight it's a wonderful sight."

Warnock added: "I wanted us to enjoy it. I thought in the second half we did.

"That's what we've got to do for the last nine games.

"We've just got to carry on playing as well as we can home and away and to get as many points."

www.qpr.co.uk/page/TheGaffer/0,,10373~2314383,00.html


Football 365

WARNOCK CALM AFTER HARD-FOUGHT WIN

QPR manager Neil Warnock declared himself pleased with his side's narrow 2-1 win over relegation battling Crystal Palace, but refused to get carried away.

Heidar Helguson put the Hoops in front with a 20th-minute tap-in before James Vaughan levelled the scores five minutes before half-time with his eighth league goal for the club.

Helguson secured the win with a 54th-minute penalty following Patrick McCarthy's foul on Adel Taarabt, for which he received a straight red card.

Warnock, a former Palace boss, said: "It's difficult for me against Palace. I really don't enjoy games against them, but I wanted my players to enjoy it.

"You've got to give Palace credit. They fought for their lives, scored a goal - sloppy from our point of view - but we started again and in the end could have scored more goals.

"We've won five out of six matches and that takes some doing given the teams we've played against, so I'm really happy.

"It's hard to believe it's just over a year since we took over here. It's not a straightforward job - it never is at QPR and hasn't been this season - but when you get a game and an atmosphere like that, it's all worth it.

"When you've been in the game as long as I have, you don't get carried away when you win games or when you lose them. I said the same after we lost to Millwall in midweek."

The Hoops could face a possible points deduction after the Football Association this week charged them, along with chairman Gianni Paladini, with breaches of regulations relating to third-party ownership and agents over the signing of Alejandro Faurlin.

But Warnock added: "I've spoken to our legal people about it, I am very happy with what they've told me, and I've told the players that.

"I've read some of the newspapers and would love to say what I think, but I won't be saying anything."

Crystal Palace manager Dougie Freedman insisted he had no argument against the decision to send off McCarthy.

He said: "We've no complaints at all. Unfortunately, Paddy gave the referee an opportunity to give a penalty and to send him off.

"Of course that was a turning point, especially in what was a close game that I thought was going to the wire.

"We had to defend for our lives in the first 40 minutes, but I felt once we got the goal it gave us a boost and we could have gone on from there.

"QPR are top of the league and are a very good side with Premier League players, but we gave them a run for their money.

"My players didn't complain. They never do. We dust ourselves down and go again, and we showed that again today.

"We've been playing like that for four or five weeks. We never give in, and that's the encouraging thing for me."

www.football365.co.za/story/0,22162,8669_6809897,00.html

[Macmoish]

SPORTING LIFE


QPR 2 Crystal Palace 1 Click here for full match stats

QPR put their off-field issues to one side to extend their advantage at the summit of the npower Championship courtesy of a hard-fought victory in their London derby with Crystal Palace.

The Hoops could face a possible points deduction after the Football Association this week charged them, along with chairman Gianni Paladini, with breaches of regulations relating to third-party ownership and agents.

The seven charges relate to Argentinian playmaker Alejandro Faurlin and his move from Instituto in 2008.

Faurlin took his place in the starting line-up, but it was another midfielder, Adel Taarabt, who stole the show to help Rangers move 10 points clear of the chasing pack in the second tier.

The mercurial Moroccan put in a virtuoso performance, setting up Heidar Helguson to open the scoring before winning a penalty to allow the Iceland international to net his second after the interval.

Patrick McCarthy saw red on the back of that incident as Palace's challenge petered out after James Vaughan had restored parity on the stroke of half-time.

Most in attendance would have expected QPR to be keen to make an early impact given the recent headlines, yet it was the visitors who enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges.

However, they failed to make their possession count and were soon punished as Rangers took a 19th-minute lead through Helguson, albeit with Taarabt playing a major role.

The latter jinked his way into a dangerous area before finding Helguson with a cross-cum-shot, which the Iceland international duly converted.

As the game wore on, the Eagles backline's struggles were increasing as the league leaders counter-attacked to great effect.

Indeed had it not been for the heroics of Julian Speroni, Dougie Freedman's men would have been further behind with the goalkeeper producing an excellent save to deny the ever-impressive Taarabt.

That stop took on an added sense of importance in the 41st minute as the visitors levelled things up through Vaughan.

Darren Ambrose was the orchestrator, capitalising on Bradley Orr being out of position to find the on-loan Everton striker, who was left with a simple finish.

Their joy was soon extinguished just after the interval as they found themselves down to 10 men and 2-1 behind.

Taarabt again inflicted the damage, skilfully working his way into the penalty area before being brought down by McCarthy, who received a straight red card from referee Martin Atkinson.

Helguson made no mistake from the resulting spot-kick, sparking unsavoury scenes as plastic bottles were thrown on the pitch by Palace's frustrated supporters.

The clash entered a lull thereafter, with QPR seemingly happy to control proceedings rather than fashion openings.

Helguson missed a couple of chances to complete his hat-trick, hitting the post in the 81st minute.

But it did not matter as Rangers saw out the game despite Palace being denied a late penalty when Clint Hill appeared to have fouled Neil Danns.

www.sportinglife.com/football/live/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/11/03/12/manual_145521.html&BID=3658

[Macmoish]

BBC

QPR 2 - 1 Crystal Palace
By Marc Vesty

Helguson scored twice to sink relegation-threatened Crystal Palace

Heidar Helguson scored twice to help over-power 10-man Crystal Palace and edge Queens Park Rangers closer to promotion to the Premier League.

Striker Helguson slid Adel Taarabt's cross in at the back post to give the dominant home side a deserved lead.

The visitors equalised against the run of play when James Vaughan slotted into the left corner from six yards.

Captain Patrick McCarthy was sent off when he pulled back Taarabt in the box and Helguson stroked in the spot-kick.

With the two London sides battling desperately for points at either end of the Championship table there was a rousing atmosphere at Loftus Road.

The pre-match signs were ominous for relegation-threatened Palace, who had failed to win in 12 games on the road, while season-long table-toppers QPR boasted the best home record in the league.

Unsurprisingly, it was Rangers who dominated possession. Captain Taarabt, so often their creative focal point this season, was involved in the best early chance when he fired a low drive wide of Julian Speroni's right post from the edge of the box.

The game came at the end of a difficult week for Rangers, who have the threat of a points deduction hanging over them after being hit with seven FA charges over irregularities in the signing of Alejandro Faurlin in 2009.

But if Neil Warnock's side were distracted by fears their Premier League dream could be ruined by off-field turmoil, it did not show.

Moroccan Taarabt fired a warning shot at the visitors when he whipped over a vicious cross, which Helguson missed by millimetres at the back post.

Minutes later the same duo combined to more devastating effect. This time Taarabt received the ball on the edge of the box and his scuffed shot found Helguson, again lingering on the back post, and the Icelander slid in his 11th goal of the season.

Oozing confidence, Taarabt, whose assist was his 19th in the Championship this season - nine more than any other player - continued to pull the strings, a 20-yard effort testing Speroni.

Helguson met another cross as Rangers completely dominated the game but the striker headed over the bar from Tommy Smith's deep cross.

Despite being in almost total control, the QPR defence were caught napping as Vaughan latched on to Darren Ambrose's through-ball just inside the area and the Everton loanee slotted in the equaliser.

But a full scale Palace renaissance failed to materialise, with the half-time break interrupting their momentum.

QPR came out recharged and won a penalty when Wayne Routledge's ball found Taarabt in the box but, before he could shoot, the midfielder was felled by a rash challenge from McCarthy, which saw the centre-back receive a red card.

Helguson nonchalantly rolled the penalty down the centre to put the home side ahead once more.

Moments later, in an incident which could merit more investigation by the Football Association, bottles were thrown towards QPR goalkeeper Paddy Kenny, who was standing in front of the Palace fans.

Once tensions amongst the crowd calmed, so too did the game, petering out as Palace ran out of steam and QPR of imagination.

Helguson missed out on a hat-trick when he struck the post from Smith's cross.

But the result was enough to take QPR 10 points clear of third-placed Norwich with nine games to play, while Palace remain fourth from bottom, four points clear of third-bottom Sc**thorpe, who have a game in hand.

newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/9418796.stm

[Macmoish]

Yann Tear/Ealing Gazette

It's Helguson at the double as QPR march on

QPR 2-1 Crystal Palace

WHATEVER agonies the players may suddenly be going through in private after this week's FA charges which threaten to derail their promotion dream, they are not showing it.

They looked focused and at ease from the start and although they surrendered their stranglehold on the game just before the break – allowing James Vaughan to cancel out a goal from Heidar Helguson – this was another assured display from Neil Warnock's men.

It turned out to be a great day for Helguson (pictured), who went on to grab the winner, taking his tally of league goals for the season to a dozen.

The Icelander put Rangers back in the box seat with a coolly taken penalty nine minutes into the second half, when Palace were reduced to 10 men in giving away the spot-kick.

Paddy McCarthy was the man sent off for tripping Adel Taarabt as the Moroccan raced onto a pass from Wayne Routledge and after that, a home victoralways looked a near certainty.

Helguson struck the opener after 20 minutes – sliding in at the far post after Taarabt, fed by Shaun Derry, had played a low angled ball beyond retreating defenders.

It was a goal typical of the game as a whole with Taarabt immaculate in his passing and full of his usual trickery, which Palace found impossible to contain.

The mercurial playmaker managed a nutmeg on Darren Ambrose and one sumptuous pass out to Tommy Smith, hugging the touchline, almost brought another goal in the first half for Helguson, who headed Smith's cross just over under pressure from a defender.

Without tearing the south Londoners apart, Rangers looked totally in control, with Derry – one of four ex-Palace players in action - always picking up good possession inside the Palace half and invariably finding Routledge and Taarabt with simple, effective passes.

But the visitors refused to be totally cowed and netted against the run of play when neat work from Neil Danns and Ambrose freed Vaughan inside the area and Paddy Kenny had no chance with a smart shot tucked past him.

The only mystery of the afternoon was that Rangers did not win by more with all that control. But in a week when fears of points deductions have been hanging in the air, that won''t matter too much to anyone at Loftus Road

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest QPR news.

www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/football-ealing/qpr-ealing/2011/03/12/it-s-helguson-at-the-double-as-qpr-march-on-64767-28325170/

[Macmoish]

TELEGRAPH/John Ley

The Football Association may have to deliver one of the harshest points deductions in history to halt Queens Park Rangers’ march towards the riches of the Premier League after they opened a 10-point gap at the head of the Championship.

Rangers face the possibility of a points punishment after the FA landed the club with seven charges relating to the initial deal that brought Argentine midfielder Alejandro Faurlin to the club.

But two goals from Heidar Helguson, the second a controversial penalty, ensured Rangers ended a disappointing week with a valuable victory.

Rangers took the step, before the game, of warning that neither manager Neil Warnock nor the players ‘are in no position to comment on the FA charges’.

But Warnock did respond, saying: “I’ve spoken to the legal people and I’m very happy at what I’ve heard.
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“After what I have gone through after the last few years I am enjoying every minute of this.”

The FA, though, will also look into an unsavoury incident following the controversial winner, when fans among the 3,000 travelling supporters aimed bottles and other objects at Rangers goalkeeper Paddy Kenny.

Referee Martin Atkinson, who had just awarded Rangers a penalty and sent off Palace’s Paddy McCarthy, had to delay the restart as reinforcements were sent to stand in front of the Palace followers.

Dougie Freedman was honest enough when the Palace manager said: “Paddy gave the referee the opportunity to give a penalty and get sent off.”

Of the reaction from the Palace fans, Freedman added: “Emotion takes over at that stage. If the fans had seen the video they would have drunk their bottles of beer rather than thrown them.”

Warnock said: “I was really pleased. I would have been happy with seven from last four games but we have nine -- and we’re disappointed. It’s a big win. We responded in a great way in the second half and on another day we could have scored a few more goals.”

Helguson had just missed a chance to open the scoring when failing to convert Adel Taarabt’s cross when he was presented with another.

In the 20th minute, a copy-book move enabled Ranges to take the lead when Helguson drifted in from the left to slide the outstanding Moroccan’s well-placed delivery.

It was the 19th goal of the season to come via a Taarabt delivery, the highest success rate in the Championship, and worthy of a player described by Warnock as a ‘matador’.

But resilient Palace responded when James Vaughan, on loan from Everton, claimed his first goal in seven games, converting Darren Ambrose’s pass.

In the second half Palace felt aggrieved when Atkinson turned down appeals for a penalty after Vaughan fell under a hefty challenge from Fitz Hall.

But, in the 53rd minute, controversy followed when Atkinson did award a penalty -- to Rangers after McCarthy challenged Taarabt. He seemed to get the ball, but Atkinson had no doubts and showed the Irishman a red card.

And Rangers almost added a third when, from another Taarabt cross, the ball spun off a Palace player and struck the foot of the left post.


www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/championship/8378183/Queens-Park-Rangers-2-Crystal-Palace-1-match-report.html

[Macmoish]

CROYDON TODAY

McCarthy sees red as Palace go down 2-1 at Queens Park Rangers

​By Daniel Jones

HEIDAR Helguson’s double condemned 10-man Crystal Palace to a 2-1 defeat at league leaders Queens Park Rangers.

It was a battling performance from Dougie Freedman’s relegation threatened side against the Championship leaders but, ultimately, yet another loss away from home.

James Vaughan had levelled Helguson’s opener shortly before half-time to give the Eagles hope, but the game swung back into the hosts favour when Paddy McCarthy was shown a straight red card for bringing down Adel Taarabt in the area shortly after half-time and Helguson slotted home the spot kick.

There was an electric atmosphere inside Loftus Road with a huge Eagles contingent making the majority of the noise for much of the first half.

But it was the hosts who enjoyed the better of things on the pitch and it was no surprise when they took the lead just before the 20 minute mark.

The dangerous Adel Taarabt had been involved in most of the Hoops best play and it was he who created the opener. The skilful Moroccan found space in the area to collect a quick throw and his cross-cum-shot was turned in at the back post by Helguson.

Taarabt had a couple more efforts and Helguson headed over at the back post as the Championship leaders looked to put the game to bed. But Palace hung in there and scored a beautifully crafted equaliser shortly before half-time.

A flowing move down the right involving Kagisho Dikgacoi, Nathaniel Clyne and Neil Danns ended with the ball at Darren Ambrose’s feet. The midfielder looked up and cleverly slipped in Vaughan who kept his cool to finish past Paddy Kenny.

The Eagles joy was short lived though as minutes into the second half McCarthy was given his marching orders after he hauled down Taarabt in the box.

Helguson kept his cool to roll in the penalty and Palace had a mountain to climb.

The ten men kept plugging away to the end but it was always going to be a big ask to break down the meanest defence in the division.

Helguson hit the post for the Hoops after Tommy Smith’s low cross to the near post, but the hosts couldn’t press home their one man advantage further.

With Sc**thorpe and Sheffield United both losing, the gap between Palace and the bottom three remains four points.

www.football365.co.za/story/0,22162,8669_6809897,00.html

[Macmoish]

Standard


QPR rise above off-field problems
12 Mar 2011


QPR put their off-field issues to one side to extend their advantage at the summit of the npower Championship courtesy of a hard-fought 2-1 victory in their London derby with Crystal Palace.

The Hoops could face a possible points deduction after the Football Association this week charged them, along with chairman Gianni Paladini, with breaches of regulations relating to third-party ownership and agents over the signing of Alejandro Faurlin.

Adel Taarabt put in a virtuoso performance, setting up Heidar Helguson to open the scoring before winning a penalty to allow the Iceland international to net his second after the interval.

Patrick McCarthy saw red on the back of that incident as Palace's challenge petered out after James Vaughan had restored parity on the stroke of half-time...

www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/article-23931495-qpr-rise-above-off-field-problems.do

[Macmoish]

Audio of Warnock/BBC
news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/9423317.stm


Audio of Dougie Freeman
news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/crystal_palace/9423312.stm

[Macmoish]

MAIL

QPR 2 Crystal Palace 1: Adel Taarabt steals the show as Hoops extend their lead

QPR put their off-field issues to one side to extend their advantage at the summit of the npower Championship courtesy of a hard-fought victory in their London derby with Crystal Palace.

The Hoops could face a possible points deduction after the Football Association this week charged them, along with chairman Gianni Paladini, with breaches of regulations relating to third-party ownership and agents.

The seven charges relate to Argentinian playmaker Alejandro Faurlin and his move from Instituto in 2008.
Heidar Helguson

Faurlin took his place in the starting line-up, but it was another midfielder, Adel Taarabt, who stole the show to help Rangers move 10 points clear of the chasing pack in the second tier.

The mercurial Moroccan put in a virtuoso performance, setting up Heidar Helguson to open the scoring before winning a penalty to allow the Iceland international to net his second after the interval.

Patrick McCarthy saw red on the back of that incident as Palace's challenge petered out after James Vaughan had restored parity on the stroke of half-time.

Most in attendance would have expected QPR to be keen to make an early impact given the recent headlines, yet it was the visitors who enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges.

However, they failed to make their possession count and were soon punished as Rangers took a 19th-minute lead through Helguson, albeit with Taarabt playing a major role.
Heidar Helguson opens the scoring for QPR

Close up: Heidar Helguson opens the scoring for QPR

The latter jinked his way into a dangerous area before finding Helguson with a cross-cum-shot, which the Iceland international duly converted.

As the game wore on, the Eagles backline's struggles were increasing as the league leaders counter-attacked to great effect.

Indeed had it not been for the heroics of Julian Speroni, Dougie Freedman's men would have been further behind with the goalkeeper producing an excellent save to deny the ever-impressive Taarabt.

That stop took on an added sense of importance in the 41st minute as the visitors levelled things up through Vaughan.

Darren Ambrose was the orchestrator, capitalising on Bradley Orr being out of position to find the on-loan Everton striker, who was left with a simple finish.
The centre of attention: Alejandro Faurlin (right) takes on Nathaniel Clyne

The centre of attention: Alejandro Faurlin (right) takes on Nathaniel Clyne

Their joy was soon extinguished just after the interval as they found themselves down to 10 men and 2-1 behind.

Taarabt again inflicted the damage, skilfully working his way into the penalty area before being brought down by McCarthy, who received a straight red card from referee Martin Atkinson.

Helguson made no mistake from the resulting spot-kick, sparking unsavoury scenes as plastic bottles were thrown on the pitch by Palace's frustrated supporters.

The clash entered a lull thereafter, with QPR seemingly happy to control proceedings rather than fashion openings.

Helguson missed a couple of chances to complete his hat-trick, hitting the post in the 81st minute.

But it did not matter as Rangers saw out the game despite Palace being denied a late penalty when Clint Hill appeared to have fouled Neil Danns.

www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1365585/QPR-2-Crystal-Palace-1-Adel-Taarabt-steals-Hoops-extend-lead.html#ixzz1GPrgBUnI

[Macmoish]

GUARDIAN

Heidar Helguson strikes twice as QPR ease past Crystal Palace

* David Hytner

With all of the apprehension about the Alejandro Faurlín third-party ownership case, it might have been understandable if Queens Park Rangers had taken their eye off the ball. The fear at the west London club has to be that months of hard work could be undermined if the Football Association were to dock points for the seven alleged breaches of their regulations.

Neil Warnock's team, however, simply rolled on. Victory in this spicy derby sent them 10 points clear at the top of the Championship and it feels as if only events off the field can deny them a return to the top flight after a 15-year absence.

Driven by the all‑action maverick Adel Taarabt, Rangers were superior and they deserved to take the points, even if the manner of their winning goal enraged the travelling Crystal Palace fans. They hurled bottles of beer on to the field after the referee Martin Atkinson, taking charge for the first time since his handling of Chelsea's Premier League win over Manchester United drove Sir Alex Ferguson to distraction, awarded a penalty against Paddy McCarthy for his challenge on Taarabt and also sent off the Palace defender.

Heidar Helguson converted the kick in ice-cool fashion but passions were inflamed at the other end, where the 3,000 Palace fans were stationed. The bottles rained down on the Rangers goalkeeper Paddy Kenny before Shaun Derry, the well‑respected former Palace player, ran over to the travelling supporters to urge them to calm down.

Atkinson's decisions, though, were correct. McCarthy's tackle was illegal and Taarabt was in a goalscoring position. "I have no complaints," said Dougie Freedman, whose team's away‑day miseries go on. "If most of our fans had seen the replay of the incident, they might have kept their bottles of beer and drank them instead of throwing them."

Freedman's counterpart, Warnock, could afford to joke. "As long as the bottles hit Paddy on the head, he'll be all right," he said. The Rangers manager had told his players not to worry about the threat of Football Association action in relation to Faurlín who, it is alleged, continued to be owned by a third party for the whole of last season.

"I have spoken to the legal people and I am very happy with what I have heard," Warnock said. "They tell me they have it covered. I told the players that and it didn't affect our focus."

Rangers were on the front foot throughout and their opening goal came when Taarabt's cross‑cum-shot was turned home by Helguson at the far post. It was Taarabt's 19th assist of the Championship season. "He was like a matador today," Warnock said. "He's an absolute gem."

Palace drew level out of nothing, thanks to the skill and vision of Darren Ambrose. His pass was weighted for James Vaughan and the on-loan Everton striker's finish was clinical. Rangers, though, were too strong. "I am really pleased with the performance today," Warnock said. "It was a big win. That was the main thing."

www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/12/qpr-crystal-palace-championship

[Macmoish]

TALKSPORT
* By Michael Wade
* Saturday, March 12

CLICK to LISTEN
www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/football-league/5877/2/exclusive-warnock-theres-no-better-sight-taarabt-full-flight

Exclusive - Warnock: 'There's no better sight than Taarabt in full flight'

Neil Warnock has told talkSPORT how Adel Taarabt has changed his philosophy of football.

The 21-year-old Morocco international has been a key player for Queens Park Rangers as they stormed ten points clear at the top of the Championship table, scoring 15 times and assisting the same amount.

And Warnock has said despite warnings about the ex-Tottenham man’s temperament he couldn’t resist the challenge to integrate him into his side.

“I’ve always liked a challenge,” the QPR manager said. “I just liked his likeable rogue smile. His previous two managers had bombed him out and quite rightly so, and the other lads had said he’ll get you the sack and all these things cropped up.

“But I saw enough in one training session and I told him straight away. I said ‘I do like you son and I’m going to play you for the rest of the season. I’m going to sort something out to get you into the team.’

“I’ve changed a lot of my ideas over the last 12-20 months. I want to enjoy myself watching my team.

“When he’s in full flight like he was today there’s not a better sight. I love watching him play.”

CLICK TO LISTEN
www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/football-league/5877/2/exclusive-warnock-theres-no-better-sight-taarabt-full-flight

[Macmoish]

[Macmoish]

Horrible shirt

[Macmoish]

[Macmoish]

Complete set of Photos - www.zimbio.com/pictures/fh03IsLBcAm/Queens+Park+Rangers+v+Crystal+Palace+npower

[bowles]

ADEL HAD A SUPERB GAME TODAY!!! HE WAS OUTSTANDING! THATS ANOTHER 3 POINTS TOWARDS OUR POINTS DEDUCTION! U R,SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!

[cpr]

Mar 12, 2011 20:17:35 GMT Macmoish said:

Paddy Kenny's 'avin' a party



He's brought the mixers, top man!

[Macmoish]

Crystal Palace Official Site

Freedman : Sending Off Was Turning Point.

The turning point in this game was the dismissal of Paddy McCarthy as Palace were then left to take on the league leaders with ten men and the resulting penalty meant Dougie Freedman's side were behind. The boss had no arguments with the penalty award by referee Martin Atkinson.

"We've no complaints at all. Unfortunately, Paddy gave the referee an opportunity to give a penalty and to send him off. We felt we could have defended the situation better.

"Of course that was a turning point, especially in what was a close game that I thought was going to the wire."

Both teams went in at the break level after Palace had scored a fine goal after having to soak up a lot of pressure from Queens Park Rangers.

"We had to defend for our lives in the first 40 minutes, but I felt once we got the goal it gave us a boost and we could have gone on from there. It is frustrating knowing with 22 players on the pitch we had done well and looked the stronger team in the second half and had defended well. We didn't get cut open and in the dressing room at 1-1 the lads were looking forward to the second half. QPR are top of the league and are a very good side with Premier League players, but we gave them a run for their money.

Afterwards Dougie was asked how his players are coping with the disappointing away results and how he sees the chances for his side in the relegation battle.

"My players didn't complain at the end of this. They never do. We dust ourselves down and go again and we will do that again after this defeat. We've been playing like that for four or five weeks. We never give in, and that's the encouraging thing for me. Away from home we don't lie down and give up. The results will come and I hope it's sooner rather than later.

"People tell me other teams results but I don't need to know them because one of the reasons I took this job on is because I know we have enough to stay up on our own."

www.cpfc.co.uk/page/ManagersComments/0,,10323~2314528,00.html

[Macmoish]

EALING GAZETTE/YANN TEAR

12 March 2011:

Derry display earns rave reviews from QPR boss
Mar 12 2011 By Yann Tear

SHAUN DERRY'S masterclass in the arts of a holding midfielder earned rightful praise from Neil Warnock after Saturday's 2-1 derby win over Crystal Palace.

Derry (pictured) was outstanding against his former club, breaking up attacks and linking play with simple, but effective distribution in what was arguably his best display for the club.

“I've said it before about him," Warnock said. "I signed Derry from Leeds United three years ago [for Crystal Palace] and remember saying to [owner] Simon Jordan: 'Let me take Derry for two years. He'll keep us up this year, but then we'll get rid of him because his legs have gone.

“But he just keeps getting better and better.

“Clint Hill's the same. Before I had him, he's never had more than 10 games a season without injuries. The way he looks after himself, he's been an absolute credit.

www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/football-ealing/qpr-ealing/2011/03/12/derry-display-earns-rave-reviews-from-qpr-boss-64767-28326307/

[Macmoish]

MIRROR

QPR 2-1 Crystal Palace: Sunday Mirror match report

Steve Stammers

The hierarchy at the Football Association have promised a swift decision on the charges levelled at Queens Park Rangers concerning third-party ownership of Argentine midfield player Alejandro Faurlin.

A deduction of points is a possibility, a significant fine is the probability. But what was evident at Loftus Road yesterday is that manager Neil Warnock and his players are refusing to let any off-field controversy de-rail their promotion bid.

Warnock is confident about the outcome. “I have spoken to the legal people and I am happy with what I have heard. I told the players what I was told and there is no chance that we will lose our focus.”

The stadium in the less fashionable corner of West London was rocking. The atmosphere was frenetic. And victory was secured to give Rangers the buffer of as ten-point advantage at the top of the Championship. Even if the FA do their worst, Rangers seem assured a return to the top flight next season and there is not one Premier League club who will relish a visit to Shepherds Bush.

They were deserved winners against a Palace team whose concern is the other end of the table. There might not be too much fantasy about their football, but they have gifted players and they have honest players. And they have Shaun Derry.

His greying hair makes him look a touch older than his 33 years but there is energy a-plenty to go with his experience. Yes, Rangers have their X-factor players in the likes of Adel Taarabt and Wayne Routledge. They are men who can change a game in an instant with a special piece of skill. But the glory boys need a stabilising force and Derry provides that quality.

He cajoles, points and marshals his troops. He is also not shy in the challenge and he read any danger signs when Palace threatened to claw their way back into contention. One misplaced pass in 90 minutes is a decent return from a midfield player at any level.

Among the most substantial Rangers crowd of the season was Stan Bowles on a day when the match programme celebrated 35 years since the most talented team the club has ever produced came so, so close to bringing the ultimate prize to Loftus Road. On the cover were Bowles, Gerry Francis, Frank McLintock and Don Masson. Rangers’ legends all.

The present squad - like so many of their predecessors - suffer in comparison to that special collection of talent. But Bowles would have loved watching Taarabt. Like Stan the Man, the Moroccan is something of a maverick. Immensely gifted, frustratingly unpredictable at times. A genius one minute, a liability the next. But always entertaining.

“He is a likeable rogue, “ said manager Neil Warnock. “He has a smile on his face all the time. And I have to change some of my managerial techniques to accommodate him. But he plays in training like he does on the pitch. People like Bradley Orr - they are all trying to kick him !”

And as for Derry, Warnock said:”He is a tremendous asset, him and people like Clint Hill. They are like Rolls Royces. They keep going.”

Just as Rangers keep going towards the promised land of the Premier League - inquiry or no inquiry.

Palace did not lay down. They were organised and they were gritty but their resistance lasted a mere 20 minutes. Inevitably, Taarabt was involved to unlock a defence that was looking increasingly stubborn. He crossed from the right with a ball that landed between goalkeeper Julian Speroni and his defence. All it needed was a man in the right place and Heidar Helguson was that man. Palace managed to resist further incursions and in the 40th minute were level after the sweetest of moves that involved Neil Danns, Darren Ambrose and the eventual goalscorer James Vaughan.

But seven minutes into second half came the turning point. Taarabt accelerated on to a through ball from Wayne Routledge and manoeuvred himself goal-side of Paddy McCarthy. The challenge was ill-advised and referee Martin Atkinson had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and showing McCarthy a red card. Helguson completed the job.

Palace manager Dougie Freedman had no complaints - unlike a few dozen idiots behind the Rangers goal who showered Paddy Kenny with plastic bottles.

“Was he hurt ? No - as long as they hot him on the head,” said Warnock on a day he could afford to smile.

www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/QPR-2-1-Crystal-Palace-Sunday-Mirror-match-report-Neil-Warnock-refuses-to-let-Alejandro-Faurlin-transfer-controversy-affect-performance-article713178.html#ixzz1GQICwITW
Sign up for MirrorFootball's Morning Spy newsletter Register here

[Macmoish]

MAIL

Day of shame as thugs target QPR keeper Paddy Kenny

By Alex Montgomery

Hooligans and overly aggressive players brought shame to the Championship last night as the game's reputation was sullied once again.

Missile-throwing Crystal Palace thugs targeted QPR goalkeeper Paddy Kenny in an incident which is set to bring an FA inquiry as their team were defeated 2-1 at Loftus Road.

But Sheffield United's players and supporters were also to blame for a bad day in the second tier of English football.

Micky Adams' team had two players sent off for the second time this season - both before half-time - as they were beaten 3-0 by Watford at Vicarage Road.

Watford's Lee Hodson also appeared to be abused by Sheffield United fans as he was carried off after a Darius Henderson lunge which brought the striker's dismissal 27 minutes into the game.
Down and out: Watford's Lee Hodson was taunted by Sheffield United fans as he received treatment

Down and out: Watford's Lee Hodson was taunted by Sheffield United fans as he received treatment

Six minutes later, Lee Williamson saw red for a challenge on Lloyd Doyley.

At QPR, trouble erupted when referee Martin Atkinson, recently under fire from Sir Alex Ferguson for his officiating in Manchester United's defeat at Chelsea, awarded Rangers a second-half penalty. Palace's Paddy McCarthy was sent off for the foul on Adel Taarabt and it enraged his club's fans.

They threw cans and other objects towards Kenny, who had his back to them and was lucky not to be hit. Rangers' former Palace player Shaun Derry had to run towards the crowd to appeal to them to calm down.

: www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1365726/Day-shame-thugs-target-QPR-keeper-Paddy-Kenny.html#ixzz1GQlJ9tpg

[Macmoish]

INDEPENDENT


Helguson restores Rangers' control

Queens Park Rangers 2 Crystal Palace 1

By Glenn Moore at loftus Road

Sunday, 13 March 2011

QPR are confident they will not suffer a points deduction after the Football Association's decision to charge them this week with seven offences relating to the signing of Alejandro Faurlin, but the club's management and players know well enough there are no certainties when it comes to the FA's disciplinary processes.

Thus they were delighted to extend their lead at the top of the Championship in a lively London derby, giving them a useful cushion should the FA come over all Draconian. With Swansea unexpectedly losing at Derby, Cardiff playing today and Norwich not in action until Monday, Rangers are 10 points clear. Only a catastrophic failure of nerve, or uncharacteristically severe FA sanction can deny them a place in the Premier League.

Neither prospect worries Neil Warnock. "They are not players who get carried away," he said of the squad, picking out what he calls the "bread-and-butter players", Shaun Derry and Clint Hill. As for the FA, Warnock said he'd "spoken to the legal people and I'm very happy with what I've heard." As for Rangers' fans, they made their feelings clear at kick-off with a chorus of "There's only one Faurlin".
Related articles

* Football League Round-up: Williams' howler clips Swans' wings as Leeds and Forest falter too
* Search the news archive for more stories

The Argentine played a full part in a Rangers team that was manifestly superior to a Crystal Palace side that 14 months ago were seeking promotion themselves under Warnock, but have since been ravaged by administration. Nevertheless, under Dougie Freedman Palace have found a spine and the result was in doubt until the final minute, even with Palace reduced to 10 men from the 53rd-minute.

That was when Paddy McCarthy, one of five Palace starters who played at the club under Warnock, brought down Adel Taarabt in the box as the Moroccan ran on to Wayne Routledge's pass. Referee Martin Atkinson had little choice but to dismiss the defender. Heidar Helguson converted the spot-kick for his sixth goal in as many matches, having put Rangers' ahead in the 20th-minute.

That goal was cancelled out by James Vaughan five minutes before the break but Palace could not come back again. However, with Sc**thorpeand Sheffield United losing they remain four points clear of the drop.

"We've been playing well recently,but it's hard to play 40 minutes with 10 men against a team that are top of the League and can keep the ball very well," Freedman said. "I've no complaints about the penalty but it was the big turning point. It was a very close game and I thought once we'd levelled we could go on in the second half."

With both clubs needing points badly there was plenty of edge amid Rangers' biggest crowd of the season and it threatened to spill over after McCarthy's dismissal. Paddy Kenny's goalmouth was bombarded with plastic bottles. He was not hurt and the trouble settled down quickly.

"Fans get emotional," Freedman said. "I don't condone them throwing bottles of beer on the pitch but it's a passionate game."

Warnock had made two changes from the XI beaten at Millwall in midweek, Fitz Hall replacing the suspended Danny Shittu and Tommy Smith coming in for Akos Buzsaky. That change enabled Taarabt to move into the "hole" and he was soon influential, shooting just wide after eight minutes then delivering a cross that somehow eluded Helguson at the far post.

The Icelandic international was more successful when another Taarabt shot flashed across goal, showing a gambler's instinct as he slid in at the far post to convert. With Rangers dominant and Taarabt peppering Julian Speroni's goal a second seemed inevitable. Then Neil Danns broke upfield, Darren Ambrose played a reverse pass, and Vaughan equalised.

A tight game seemed in prospect but then Taarabt got across McCarthy and though the mood remained tense Rangers' victory was never seriously threatened.

www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/helguson-restores-rangers-control-2240397.html