QPR BUSTED

 

Well the last time we faced QPR was in a Carling Cup tie back when they were in the Championship. Now they're in the Premiership and the last time we faced them in the top flight was back in the 1995/96 season back when 80s United midfielder Ray Wilkins was gaffer and I was a Year 8 pupil in Teddington with a QPR fan for a PE teacher. That season United beat them 2-1 at Old Trafford with Andy Cole opening the scoring for United that day before a 1-1 draw at Loftus Road with Eric Cantona hitting the net for the Reds. The last time we did the double over the Hoops was in the 94/95 season, back when I was in Year 7. Gerry Francis was their manager at the start of that season and we beat them 2-0 at Old Trafford with Mark Hughes and Brian McClair hitting the net before 3-2 at Loftus Road after Wilkins took over with an up and coming Paul Scholes hitting the net twice and Roy Keane grabbing the third.

Fast forward to the 21st century and finally QPR are back in the Premiership, this time with Neil Warnock as gaffer. The current QPR side had a few familiar faces in it and had occasionally proven to have it's uses. As far as United were concerned though, well all we want for Xmas is a Premiership title and so we headed for a Premiership match at Loftus Road looking for another three points and the possibility of returning to the top of the league. For United it was one of the rare occasions where Fergie has named an unchanged lineup from the last match. Like Wolves, QPR were expected to be relatively straightforward opponents.

Within 53 seconds Wayne sent the ball to Valencia who then crossed back for the England assasin to head in. Nice. United could well have gotten a second almost as quickly but the home side started to have their uses as the match settled down. United did go on to hit the net again but the effort was ruled out for offside - much to the Reds' annoyance. That however was the opening to a siege on the United goal but ultimately that proved fruitless as well. QPR weren't done yet but were unable to find an equaliser. Fine by us, so far it was very smooth for the Reds though a second goal, as usual would make for a nice second half.

The Reds certainly looked like a good bet to get that second goal in the early stages of the first half and broke through in the 56th minute when Carrick picked up the ball and ran through to slot his first goal of the season! Now the question was could United get a third and we certainly had the chances to do so. QPR did likewise though and DJ Campbell in particular blew an absolute sitter from point blank range. Ultimately though from that point onwards United were just able to cruise to the finish. Very nice work from the Reds who earned themselves a few hours at least on top of the league with that win. Now we just had to see what our rivals were capable of.

Elsewhere Man City beat Arsenal 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium. The Gunners had the slight edge in the first half but then City hit what turned out to be the winner in the second half, allowing them to stabilise their run at the title. Chelsea drew 1-1 with Wigan at the DW Stadium. The first half was goalless with Chelsea having the slight edge in terms of opportunities but it was Wigan that opened the scoring early in the second half with Chelsea equalising just before the end. Ultimately that means that United remain 2nd in the Premiership and on course for next season's Champions League group stages. They're two points behind leaders Man City and seven points ahead of Chelsea and a detour through the playoffs.

North of the border, Aberdeen continued their SPL campaign. They started with a 2-2 draw with St Mirren at Pittodrie. The Dons hit the ground running and went two up early doors only to be pegged back. Then came a 2-1 win over St Johnstone at McDiamid Park for the Dons' first away win of the season including a goal scored from just inside the halfway line! Then came a 1-0 win over Hibs at Pittodrie despite the Reds finishing with ten men! That means that the Dons move up to 9th in the table, three points behind Killie and the top half of the table but more importantly six points ahead of Dunfirmline and relegation though both sides have a game in hand over the Dons!

 

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