Queens Park Rangers took all three points against Rotherham at Loftus Road yesterday, recording consecutive wins in the English Championship.
A brace from Tjaronn Chery and a Charlie Austin strike put the hosts three to the good at the half. The Millers did show some guile, however, getting two back thanks to Jonson Clarke-Harris and substitute Tom Thorpe. However it was Austin who made sure of the result, slotting a penalty on 90 minutes. The victory came as Rangers fans celebrated Stan Bowles Day, a commemoration to one the greatest players to ever to wear the ‘super hoops’.
QPR
Robert Green – 6: Sharp performance. Needed to be as there were a couple of mistakes at the back that left him exposed. Little he could do about the goals.
James Perch – 6: Showed good intelligence to cover Henry and Faurlin. Did get moved off the ball too easily a couple of times but put in the effort to get forward and push the play quickly.
Nedum Onuoha – 5: Had a nice attempt early on but did leave much to be desired in in the second half. Failed to organise the defence from the corner that left Thorpe wide open.
Grant Hall – 5: Stood tall in defence and did not lose his feet much. Switched off late in the game though.
Paul Konchesky – 6: Demonstrated good tackling technique throughout the 90 minutes. He was one of the best players for Rangers throughout the game.
Alejandro Faurlin – 7: Could see passes from deep within QPR’s half. Also came forward when the opportunity presented itself.
Karl Henry – 5: Very solid defensively but is always found wanting when going forward.
Matt Phillips – 6: Looked like one of the most dangerous players on the pitch again. His pace, which he used to cruise past the Rotherham defence, seems to give him confidence to always take on his man.
Massimo Luongo – 7: Had the lungs today, leaving footprints on every square metre of the park. Linked up very well with Austin and assisted Chery on the second.
Tjaronn Chery – 8: Has technique in abundance. This was obvious from his brilliant deliveries from set pieces. Scored a great curling goal just before the half then another minutes into the second period.
Charlie Austin – 7: Able to hold the ball up more easily this game. Either got his pass away or drew the foul. Showed selflessness around goal but was also confident to take on some shots.
Substitutes
Michael Doughty – 5: No silly play after replacing Faurlin. Could have worked harder to regain possession.
Sebastian Polter – 6: Worked hard in defence and attack. Does not possess a particularly good touch but puts in massive effort. Brought down for the penalty late on.
Cole Kpekawa – 5: Enthusiasm and fitness are clear attributes. Unfortunate not to get more time on the pitch.
Rotherham United
Kelle Roos – 5: Decent afternoon, left in the lurch by his defence on several occasions. Should have done better for Austin’s first goal.
Lewis Buxton – 4: Was nott involved much during the game. Struggled with the interchanging Chery and Philips.
Greg Halford – 5: Delievered some dangerous balls into the QPR box by some incredibly long throw ins. However, was beaten by Austin on more than one occasion.
Danny Collins – 4: Looked like a rabbit in headlights at times. Was cut open by good passing from the QPR attack.
Joe Newell – 5: Struggled with the pace of Phillips despite his own speed. Played some good balls forward in the second half.
Lee Frecklington – 5: Made the most of a mistake from Faurlin to put Clarke-Harris in for their first goal.
Richard Smallwood – 4: Seemed absent throughout much of the game, succumbing to pressure from Faurlin and Henry.
Grant Ward – 5: Very calm in the first term. Showed good patience to make some vital tackles. Did lose possession a couple of times later in the game.
Emmanuel Ledesma – 5: The Argentine played some good passes into his forwards but a lack of quality in the final third denied him an assist.
Jonson Clarke-Harris – 6: Set up great opportunity for Derbyshire only to see it fly wide. Created several chances but lacked a clinical nature, though took his goal well.
Matt Derbyshire – 6: Squandered the best opportunity of the first half. Was the most promising player for Rotherham but lacked the final touch like Clarke-Harris.
Substitutes
Aidan White – 5: Did not provide the same attacking threat Ledesma did, yet his passing was very good for the final 20 minutes.
Chris Maguire – 3: Hacked down Doughty just moments after coming on. Seemed frustrated by QPR holding possession.
Tom Thorpe – 5: Was found completely open to knock in a goal very late on. Impressive cameo appearance.
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