Premier League
At Loftus Road, the champions renewed acquaintances with a team which is now steeped into the history of Manchester City, QPR. That crazy final day of the season back in 2012 will forever be remembered and looked back upon not just by City fans but fans of English football for the moment QPR nearly ruined the title party at the Etihad only for Sergio Aguerooooooo to literally snatch the title from Manchester United in the 95th minute of the match. QPR have since been relegated, had a mass squad clear-out and won promotion in the most dramatic way possible last May against Derby County in the play-final with a 90th minute winner. QPR have reignited their season with some commendable performances recently against Liverpool and Chelsea, despite defeat in both. One man key in this was Charlie Austin. The well talked about former 'bricklayer' has built his way up in the football league ladder plying his trade at Swindon and Burnley boasting impressive goal tallies before 'Arry Redknapp took a punt on him last year which paid off as Austin finished the R's top scorer and led them to an immediate return to the top flight. Austin has been their main man in recent weeks with four goals in his last five games. Ahead of this tie, the absence of Vincent Kompany would've put Austin in a confident mood against what has been a fragile City backline this season.
This game was frantic, end to end and full of controversy. In the first ten minutes City were finding it extremely tough dealing with QPR's direct pressing game and the presence of Bobby Zamora alongside Austin. If you watched Soccer AM you'd know that Austin had agreed to do a special goal celebration inspired by Tubes. The 'Chicken Dance' was broken out inside 10 minutes as he headed past Joe Hart and before he could see the offside flag he'd already broken into dance, a tad embarrassing. More annoyance was to follow for Austin as the resulting free kick was seemingly scuffed to Austin who duly buried the ball past Hart for the second time in a minute. However, a clear double touch from the keeper was rightly spotted and meant Austin was denied again. But, credit to him and Rangers as they persisted and continued to hassle City and finally Austin got his goal. The Chilean duo of Mauricio Isla and Eduardo Vargas did the work and the latter found Austin who buried it for a third time and was not denied, the dance was out and the R's were up. On the other hand, whilst Austin is a striker on top of his game, it still does not match the quality and standard of his counterpart. Sergio Aguero is at his best and arguably the best in the world this season and his goals in this game proved that. The equaliser was beautifully taken from the sky by the Argentine after a raking pass from the back. He twisted left and right before the ball awkwardly bounced up on to his arm but he continued and bamboozled Richard Dunne and finished past Robert Green for 1-1. City seemed to be settling and upping the gears just before and after half time as Yaya Toure was looking much improved playing just off Aguero. Yet, City were picked open once again with Austin key. He superbly crossed into a dangerous area forcing Martin Demichelis to head past his own keeper to compound a wretched last few days for the champions. Defeat at home to CSKA Moscow in the Champions League has put them in a perilous position at the bottom of the group and were already chasing Chelsea in the league. So, as they did last weekend in the derby, they turned to Aguero. He first had a shot cleared off the line as QPR were desperate to hold on and were throwing bodies in the way. Eventually, he rescued City, Toure's wonderful pass found Aguero who rounded Green and with three defenders around him, he still found the top corner. The calm and cool style was of a top class striker not phased by pressure when his side depends on him.
City probably would've wanted three points but against a rejuvenated Rangers side, it is a good point for Manuel Pellegrini who does need to improve results quickly or face a similar depressing exit that befell Roberto Mancini. Rangers are second bottom but playing good football which should see them climb the table with Austin leading the line. I firmly believe Charlie deserves a call up to the England squad considering the appalling form of players like Rickie Lambert. He has been knocking at the door and I hope he gets his chance to add even more to his fairy tale football story.
The Rest
Burnley 1-0 Hull City (Finally!!!!)
Liverpool 1-2 Chelsea
Manchester United 1-0 Crystal Palace
Southampton 2-0 Leicester City
Spurs 1-2 Stoke City
Sunderland 1-1 Everton
Swansea City 2-1 Arsenal
West Brom 0-2 Newcastle United
West Ham 0-0 Aston Villa
Goal of the Week
This week is a goal which epitomises the turn-around in confidence at Newcastle. Improving in results and increased solidarity at the back topped with a inform striker quickly settling in up north. Three goals in his last three games has made Ayoze Perez very much noticed amongst fans and the media, here's his superb effort against West Brom:
Until next time, signing off- sjt!
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