Queens Park Rangers 1-0 Birmingham City

Written By: Oliver Osborn (The Bluenose Bible)

An early second half header from Charlie Austin was enough to gain QPR three points and maintain their 100% home record in the league this season.

The 1-0 score line was an injustice for Birmingham City, however, as both managers agreed that the travelling sides created enough chances to get at least a point from the game, especially from their first half display.

It took until half way through the first period of 45 minutes for either side to create a real chance.

Lee Novak’s headed effort from Andrew Shinnie’s free kick managed to beat Rob Green in the QPR goal, but couldn’t find the net as the ball looped onto the post and was cleared by Richard Dunne out of danger.

Another chance went begging while The Blues were on top, although this time it was through Shinnie.

Tom Adeyemi picked up the ball and showed strength and desire to beat a couple of The Hoops’ players in midfield before playing a ball into Novak.

The striker then became provider with a great pass to Shinnie in acres of space, who just needed to hit the target to put Lee Clark’s side in front, but the Scot managed to hit a first time shot over the bar when really he should have taken a touch.

At the back, however, it was another show of a solid defensive performance with the three centre backs Kyle Bartley, Dan Burn and Jonathon Spector failing to give Bobby Zamora and Austin a chance before the interval.

It was five minutes of madness at Loftus Road with both sets of supporters celebrating the ball being put in the back of the net, despite the home side taking an arguably undeserved lead.

Almost instantly after the second half began Jonathon Spector’s goal was disallowed for offside, much to the relief of Harry Redknapp’s men.

The American capped off a great move before nudging the ball just past Green, but the assistant had already raised his flag.

Charlie Austin made the Midlands side pay for failing to take their chances by scoring his first league goal for QPR since his £4 million move from Burnley during the summer.

Joey Barton’s over hit free kick was helped back in by Nedum Onuoha and Adeyemi’s attempt to clear hit the crossbar and fell kindly for a brave Austin to head home and give his side the lead.

Spector was then angered again over a decision by the officials when the referee Mike Jones booked the player, who’d been moved into midfield at this point, for simulation after he’d found a way into the box through a couple of challenges.

Darren Randolph has had many plaudits over recent weeks and his save to deny Barton doubling the home sides lead late on demonstrated the Irishman’s fine start to the season. The antagonist for many opposing fans, Barton, hit a curling free kick from 30 yards that required a stunning save that Randolph can add to the collection he has already made this season.

It was another brave performance by Birmingham, but the points we should have picked if we took our chances is really starting to tally up.

QPR first-team coach Joe Jordan:

“I think we rode our luck a bit as Birmingham created opportunities. In our previous 1-0 wins we maybe could have got another goal but today I think the chances went to Birmingham. They failed to take them and we took our opportunity.

“But the team spirit is there and we want that to show in what is a very important period for us, with three games in a week.”

Birmingham City manager Lee Clark:

“I’m just frustrated for the players. It’s cruel. In the first half we could have been 2-0 up. We then score an offside goal and 30 seconds later they get one from a set play. Then we still created opportunities, but it wasn’t to be.

“It’s tough for my young players. We’ve had some good performances but not got the results. I’ve told them to keep the belief, because we are playing well and we will get results.”

Starting line up: Randolph; Caddis, Spector, Bartley , Burn, Robinson; Burke, Adeyemi (Lovenkrands 82′), Elliott, Shinnie (Ferguson 55′); Novak

Unused subs: Doyle, Reilly, Lee, Ambrose, Brown

Man of the match: Jonathon Spector