Qpr's disastrous attempts at finishing continued to spread from game to game, this goal drought has prevented them from a chance of climbing out of the drop zone.
Questions are being asked about the Rangers forwards, almost leaving recently appointed manager Mark Hughes with no choice but to splash the cash on strikers that can actually win them games. The so-called goal scoring exploits of summer signing Jay Bothroyd have left little to be desired.
On the other hand, Newcastle's amazing season shows no sign of stopping as they only needed the one goal to see out the victory which puts them up to 6th in the table, ahead of Liverpool. A great solo goal from Leon Best was worthy of winning any game. Alan Pardew will be relieved to see the toon pick up the three points without key players Cheick Tiote and Demba Ba, plus another key player Yohan Cabaye picked up a nasty looking injury early on in the game.
However in the early minutes of the game, just after Cabaye's injury, QPR were taking a hold of the game as they had two very close opportunities to take the lead. Shots from underfire Bothroyd and winger Wright-Phillips hitting the post and the bar respectively.
After this, Newcastle had a chance of their own with Ryan Taylor shooting from distance forcing Kenny to parry it out wide. Then came the breakthrough, Leon Best receives the ball on the edge of the area, glides past Young and places it into the far corner of the net.
In the second half, QPR's frustration to finish in front of goal continued with more wasted chances by Bothroyd with one chance sailing over and the other straight at Krul.
Then Newcastle had the chance to make it 2-0, with Gabbidon clearing off line after Kenny was left exposed after Guttierez took the shot goal bound. For the rest of the game Newcastle were at ease in keeping the QPR wave of hopeless attacks at bay thanks to the ever impressive back four and Krul in goal who has been acceptional all season. In the end, Newcastle held out with their trusted defence and were thanked by QPR's lacklustre attack.
Teams
Newcastle Utd: Krul 8, Simpson 8, Coloccini 8, Williamson 8, Santon 8, Taylor 9 (Gosling 81 min), Guthrie 9, Cabaye 6 (Ben Arfa 23 min), Guttierez 8, Sh Ameobi 7, Best 9 (Perch 77 min)
Goal: Best 36
QPR: Kenny 7, Young 6, Ferdinand 7, Gabbidon 7, Hill 6, Mackie 7, Derry 5, Buszaky 6 (Macheda 75 min), W.Phillips 7, Helguson 7 (Smith 64 min), Bothroyd 5
Man of the match: Danny Guthrie (Newcastle Utd)
Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)
Friday, 20 January 2012
Thursday, 5 January 2012
Magpies torn by Blades
Sheffield United's brilliant run of form continues with a 2-1 win at home against play off contenders Notts County. It was always going to be a tight and eagerly awaited clash as both sides were positioned in the healthier part of the table with the Blades looking to grab 2nd place from there bitter rivals Sheffield Wednesday.
Questions were asked beforehand whether Notts Countys organised back four will be able to handle one of the divisions red-hot strikers in the shape of Ched Evans. Both sides fielded some of their strongest assets to their team and went all out believing they have a good chance of winning the game.
The game started brightly with United coming out the traps quickly aiming to surprise the visitors, after two minutes Dangerman Evans bursts inside from the wide right and played a low cross along the face of goal, but no one was there to convert.
After constant United pressure, Notts County created a rare chance and against the run of play...they scored a free kick, Judge played in the free kick which was misjudged by Simonsen and sailed all the way into the back of the net.
Then a quarter of an hour later, the Blades got their just desserts with an equaliser, the ball was half cleared by the Notts County defence to Cresswell picking out the run of Flynn whos shot left Nelson with no chance. Sustained United pressure followed on for the rest of the half with untesting shots from Evans and a bursting break from Lowton.
Five minutes into the second half, Sheffield United got what proved to be their winner. A quick throw in to Quinn which gets crossed into Cresswell who deflects it onto Sheehan and tucks it into the back of the net. The blades carried on their sustained pressure with plenty of chances including a free header by Collins which sailed wide and Evans again showed his class with a run inside but could only shoot at Nelson.
Then in the desperate minutes County started to take a foot on the game and they had a vital chance fluffed with a bicycle kick by the sub Hawley which went straight into the keepers arms.
In injury time, County's chances were offically blown as Demontagnac's stupidity in throwing the ball at Maguire's face led to a straight forward red card from the Referee.
Sheff Utd: Simonsen 8, Lowton 9, Maguire 7, Collins 8, Lescinel 7, Quinn 7, Doyle 8, Mcdonald 8 (Ertl, 82 min), Flynn 8, Evans 9, Cresswell 8 (Beattie, 88 min).
N. County: Nelson 8, Kelly 6, Sodje 6, Pearce 7 (Hawley, 74 min) Sheehan 5, Bishop 7, Judge 8, J.Hughes 7, Allen 6 (Demontagnac, 69 min (r)) L.Hughes 7, Burgess 7.
Man of the match: Ched Evans (Sheff Utd)
Questions were asked beforehand whether Notts Countys organised back four will be able to handle one of the divisions red-hot strikers in the shape of Ched Evans. Both sides fielded some of their strongest assets to their team and went all out believing they have a good chance of winning the game.
The game started brightly with United coming out the traps quickly aiming to surprise the visitors, after two minutes Dangerman Evans bursts inside from the wide right and played a low cross along the face of goal, but no one was there to convert.
After constant United pressure, Notts County created a rare chance and against the run of play...they scored a free kick, Judge played in the free kick which was misjudged by Simonsen and sailed all the way into the back of the net.
Then a quarter of an hour later, the Blades got their just desserts with an equaliser, the ball was half cleared by the Notts County defence to Cresswell picking out the run of Flynn whos shot left Nelson with no chance. Sustained United pressure followed on for the rest of the half with untesting shots from Evans and a bursting break from Lowton.
Five minutes into the second half, Sheffield United got what proved to be their winner. A quick throw in to Quinn which gets crossed into Cresswell who deflects it onto Sheehan and tucks it into the back of the net. The blades carried on their sustained pressure with plenty of chances including a free header by Collins which sailed wide and Evans again showed his class with a run inside but could only shoot at Nelson.
Then in the desperate minutes County started to take a foot on the game and they had a vital chance fluffed with a bicycle kick by the sub Hawley which went straight into the keepers arms.
In injury time, County's chances were offically blown as Demontagnac's stupidity in throwing the ball at Maguire's face led to a straight forward red card from the Referee.
Sheff Utd: Simonsen 8, Lowton 9, Maguire 7, Collins 8, Lescinel 7, Quinn 7, Doyle 8, Mcdonald 8 (Ertl, 82 min), Flynn 8, Evans 9, Cresswell 8 (Beattie, 88 min).
N. County: Nelson 8, Kelly 6, Sodje 6, Pearce 7 (Hawley, 74 min) Sheehan 5, Bishop 7, Judge 8, J.Hughes 7, Allen 6 (Demontagnac, 69 min (r)) L.Hughes 7, Burgess 7.
Man of the match: Ched Evans (Sheff Utd)
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