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Match Report: Like City, Famara's latest away masterclass is hard to beat


Olé

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On the day that we gave a debut to an expensive new striker, City’s established frontman Famara Diedhiou, so often the source of dismissal and ridicule from fans who barely set foot anywhere but Ashton Gate, produced not only his best performance under Lee Johnson, but perhaps the most complete forward contribution City has seen for a generation.

For 90 minutes the Senegalese would not be knocked off the ball, QPR could not get close to him, and as well as drifting off his markers to power a first half header past the hosts keeper, he also reproduced Nicky Maynard’s insane overhead kick from a far harder location, then finally sprinted back to head an 89th minute equaliser away at the far post.

It is no exaggeration to say that Diedhiou secured City not only the lead, but the three points - in a fixture where he was simply the best player on the pitch: a striker that lead the line, imperiously maintained possession, but somehow roared back into the backline to defend corners and (impossibly) in the final stages head off the line when others were lost.

City are in form and they came flying out of the traps as they did at Reading on Tuesday - in fact it was a carbon copy of the Madejski Stadium as Diedhiou marauded from the left wing channel and exchanged passes with Paterson before cutting inside and curling an early tester at the Rangers keeper which was well held as it arced towards the top corner.

QPR were having to bundle into Eliasson and others to curtail City’s early purpose and after 7 minutes Ashley Williams took a free kick from the halfway line into the box which was half cleared, but Paterson collected, fed the irrepressible Diedhiou who easily skipped past a defender and forced the keeper to save down low. So far all City - QPR non-existent.

On 15 Paterson did well to intercept in his own half and send Weimann away, and when the Austrian miscued, determined City recycled possession quickly and Hunt at right back turned his opposite number brilliantly to break, hooking a long distance cross which saw Diedhiou roar into space to prepare an unmarked diving header into the bottom corner.

A stunning lead for City and comfortably deserved as the only side showing any ability to threaten. It could have been more - at the midway point of the half Hunt scooped in for a rusty Massengo whose cross was half cleared, but from Eliasson’s follow up Dasivla retained possession and slammed a rising shot at goal that was desperately deflected wide.

Direct City had the better of the chances but not the possession, and despite QPR rallying, on the half hour centre back Williams lifted a long ball over the home defence to where Diedhiou drifted off the shoulder of the last man and let the ball drop to fire a stunning - but technically tough - first time volley which rose over the crossbar and into the crowd.

QPR had probed with slick passing and interplay but off the ball Johnson’s men had been brilliantly compact and unplayable - causing the hosts to exert energy without chances. But before the break Baker slipped on halfway and right winger Osayi-Samuel ran on, laid the ball into the path of Jordan Hugill, whose early angled shot sailed over the far post.

City went in at half time rightly - and comfortably - ahead, but the second period saw the Londoners move the ball quicker and more directly as the whole balance of the match changed to favour the hosts. Although in minutes star man Eberechi Eze cut a frustrated figure as again he collected a ball in space but his pot shot from range was well wide.

The second period was more scrappy as Johnson’s side highlighted their ability to simply absorb and repel pressure, but right winger Osayi-Samuel - incredibly raw with propensity to simply dribble out of bounds - also got to the byline and cut back dangerously, indeed when City turned behind for a corner, on the hour Hugill’s header was blockd point blank.

City sent on new signing Nahki Wells for Paterson, and then Pedro Perreira for the injured Jack Hunt - who once again showed Loftus Road is where he plays his best football - and it was the debutant who almost doubled City’s advantage, Weimann’s throw in lifted over the top by Massengo and Wells sprinting clear to glance a header on the turn just over.

A minute later Diedhiou underlined a faultless display as Pereira threw in from the right, and 10 yards out and wide, the City top scorer watched the ball drop, held off a defender, flicked it up into the air, then executed a flawless bicycle kick from an acute angle which was tipped away near post . Maynard’s famous goal in W12, but from an improbable angle.

City were not finished and a throw in on the left inside the last 20 minutes saw the irrepressible Diedhiou muscle clear with defenders hanging off him, powering into the box before seeing his shot - under a lot of pressure from retreating defenders - easily held by the hosts keeper at the near post. This was simply a tour-de-force from the underrated striker.

By now QPR had found their range and were blitzing their visitors when in possession, in growing expectation of an equaliser, indeed Oseyi-Samuel, occasionally careless, was now proving a nuisance or Dasilva and regularly getting to the byline in City’s box before cutting back and hoping for a finish - thanks to Baker and Williams no such finish was possible.

In the last ten minutes on 82 the classy Eze swept a long cross into the back post which striker Hugill met and forced Nathan Bentley to brilliantly tip wide. And then finally - and perhaps fittingly - in a last 10 minute assault on City’s goal, before injury time Diedhiou, already racing back repeatedly to help City, headed away a certain goal at the back post.

For five painful minutes added on, QPR - dominant in possession but nowhere close to City on quality of chances or shots on target - would bombard the visitors box: occasionally aided by a remarkably lenient referee who insisted on booking no one despite the hosts continually hacking down City breaks, and yet carding manager Johnson late for protesting.

In the end the match was won as it was at Reading, and so often away from home last season - by sheer will to win and organisation at the back, Baker and Williams putting their bodies on the line to clear any ball thrown at then, while their teammates also capped a flawless display of organisation and compact shape, by stalling every last QPR attack.

 

Bentley 7 A couple of fantastic saves at the end - and again his reaction at the end shows how much he wants it

Hunt 7 Like the cup game in August, loves playing here, was a threat all first half and setup our winning goal

Dasilva 7 Some brilliant interceptions on the run and always busy but got Oseyi-Samuel beat him more late on

Baker 8 Threw himself at and won everything he could - one mistake late in the first half but otherwise perfect

Williams 9 Actually was perfect, think we take him for granted too much, tidies up with such class it’s ridiculous

Smith 8 Possibly a 9 - City didn’t own midfield but Korey regularly turned markers and kept possession - classy

Massengo 6 Looked rusty, gave it away cheaply 2-3 times in the first half. Always energetic but not strong enough

Eliasson 8 A nuisance, was sure he would create another goal, as it was deserves credit for being solid throughout

Paterson 7 Link up early was a feature of how dangerous Diedhiou was - but quickly faded in the second half

Weimann 6 Yet again lots of energy but not really on the wavelength of teammates, not the same level of threat

Diedhiou 10 His best ever, not sure how you sum it up, unplayable centre forward who was best on pitch at both ends

 

Wells 5 Bar early headed chance an odd debut, either too keen or doing QPR a favour: gave them free kick after free kick

Pereira 6 A little raw replacing the injured Hunt but settled and made some important later interventions in midfield

Rowe 6 Came on too late to really rate, but certainly part of a team full of character that were never going to surrender

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4 minutes ago, 054123 said:

First

? Please don't let this become a thing on this forum....

Anyway, back to the match. Surely no coincidence that Fam's excellent all round contribution should come two days after we sign Wells. Regardless, it's good to see him playing so well and worth noting how far he's come since joining us.

As has been said in another thread, if we had signed him in the week and seen today's performance, we would have been stunned to have bought an absolute gem. Also highlighted by someone else that he now reaches 90 minutes still full of running and effort - a complete transformation from the player who rarely made it past 70 minutes when he signed for us.

Fam has the first touch of a trampoline at times but his contribution is massive. Confidence is everything and when he's on his game, it's great to see that fire in his eyes.

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3 minutes ago, Xiled said:

? Please don't let this become a thing on this forum....

Anyway, back to the match. Surely no coincidence that Fam's excellent all round contribution should come two days after we sign Wells. Regardless, it's good to see him playing so well and worth noting how far he's come since joining us.

As has been said in another thread, if we had signed him in the week and seen today's performance, we would have been stunned to have bought an absolute gem. Also highlighted by someone else that he now reaches 90 minutes still full of running and effort - a complete transformation from the player who rarely made it past 70 minutes when he signed for us.

Fam has the first touch of a trampoline at times but his contribution is massive. Confidence is everything and when he's on his game, it's great to see that fire in his eyes.

I think people forget how fast the british game is compared to other countries that are warmer and players conserve their energy.

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As ever an accurate and comprehensive report from Ole. Surprised no mention of Baker's absolute piece of magic when he back-heeled their dangerous cross away post Hunt having been left for dead. As high a quality touch as the header for the winner.

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You have to ask yourself how someone can find the energy and extra effort to produce good performances, but couldn't summon it before.

What changed the attitude and determination?

Development or competition and constructive criticism?

Either way, it's good to see Famara stepping up more consistently and performing to the levels he's able to do weekly instead of infrequently like in the past.

 

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Have to wonder wether Weimann is feeling pressure to stay in the team now (despite Lj's 'trusted' comment).

Seems to be arguing more than playing. Still runs around, but seems to stop well short of making a tackle or intercept, and his forward runs seemed less decisive..

Maybe the Wells incoming transfer speculation over the last 2-3 weeks has been playing on his mind.

The amount of times he was still arguing with the ref whilst play was going on was noticeable.

I don't see where Andi fits in after Fammy staking his claim alongside Wells.

On form he is a real handfull, but he really has dropped off in recent weeks.

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15 minutes ago, spudski said:

You have to ask yourself how someone can find the energy and extra effort to produce good performances, but couldn't summon it before.

What changed the attitude and determination?

Development or competition and constructive criticism?

Either way, it's good to see Famara stepping up more consistently and performing to the levels he's able to do weekly instead of infrequently like in the past.

 

Confidence and constructive feedback I reckon Spud.

I think he's been slowly building to this all season.

He's had quite a few really good games, but because of a poor miss, fans seem to give him grief.

I reckon a lot of people really under-rate Fammy on here.

A very good 'big-man', and will shine with Wells hopefully.

Most definately the best game he has played in his best season in English Football.

He's been very good most of the season.

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3 minutes ago, SX227 said:

Confidence and constructive feedback I reckon Spud.

I think he's been slowly building to this all season.

He's had quite a few really good games, but because of a poor miss, fans seem to give him grief.

I reckon a lot of people really under-rate Fammy on here.

A very good 'big-man', and will shine with Wells hopefully.

Most definately the best game he has played in his best season in English Football.

He's been very good most of the season.

I'd say since mid November he started to play to his true potential.

I've certainly been disappointed with his contribution over many months...because he showed what he was capable on occasion. It was finding consistency.

I think LJ thought the same with comments...of which he's been more complimentary since November.

Long may it continue...as I really like the guy. Just found him hugely frustrating.

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28 minutes ago, spudski said:

You have to ask yourself how someone can find the energy and extra effort to produce good performances, but couldn't summon it before.

What changed the attitude and determination?

Development or competition and constructive criticism?

Either way, it's good to see Famara stepping up more consistently and performing to the levels he's able to do weekly instead of infrequently like in the past.

 

Personally, I don't think Fam's attitude or determination has ever been in question. I just think these 'perfect' games happen once in a while

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54 minutes ago, spudski said:

You have to ask yourself how someone can find the energy and extra effort to produce good performances, but couldn't summon it before.

What changed the attitude and determination?

Development or competition and constructive criticism?

Either way, it's good to see Famara stepping up more consistently and performing to the levels he's able to do weekly instead of infrequently like in the past.

 

Agree, definite change. He was really frustrating me until...

43 minutes ago, spudski said:

I'd say since mid November he started to play to his true potential.

I've certainly been disappointed with his contribution over many months...because he showed what he was capable on occasion. It was finding consistency.

I think LJ thought the same with comments...of which he's been more complimentary since November.

Long may it continue...as I really like the guy. Just found him hugely frustrating.

....Huddersfield, where he did everything but score.  Then Fulham away.

Playing much more like the Fam I saw after his early games settling in here and prior to his injury in 17/18.

He’s set the bar, and over 8-10 games is changing my opinion.

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4 hours ago, Olé said:

Wells 5 Bar early headed chance an odd debut, either too keen or doing QPR a favour: gave them free kick after free kick

Ole, I'm very disappointed to see you have said this, you are a respected poster but I'm struggling to find any respect when you are accusing one of our own players of acting unprofessional and helping the other team out. 

Wells has shown nothing but professionalism regarding this situation, I cant believe that you of all people, are questioning that professionalism. You are essentially suggesting that he was trying to throw the game to do QPR a favour and that is a complete wild unsubstantiated accusation. 

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7 hours ago, Olé said:

On the day that we gave a debut to an expensive new striker, City’s established frontman Famara Diedhiou, so often the source of dismissal and ridicule from fans who barely set foot anywhere but Ashton Gate, produced not only his best performance under Lee Johnson, but perhaps the most complete forward contribution City has seen for a generation.

For 90 minutes the Senegalese would not be knocked off the ball, QPR could not get close to him, and as well as drifting off his markers to power a first half header past the hosts keeper, he also reproduced Nicky Maynard’s insane overhead kick from a far harder location, then finally sprinted back to head an 89th minute equaliser away at the far post.

It is no exaggeration to say that Diedhiou secured City not only the lead, but the three points - in a fixture where he was simply the best player on the pitch: a striker that lead the line, imperiously maintained possession, but somehow roared back into the backline to defend corners and (impossibly) in the final stages head off the line when others were lost.

City are in form and they came flying out of the traps as they did at Reading on Tuesday - in fact it was a carbon copy of the Madejski Stadium as Diedhiou marauded from the left wing channel and exchanged passes with Paterson before cutting inside and curling an early tester at the Rangers keeper which was well held as it arced towards the top corner.

QPR were having to bundle into Eliasson and others to curtail City’s early purpose and after 7 minutes Ashley Williams took a free kick from the halfway line into the box which was half cleared, but Paterson collected, fed the irrepressible Diedhiou who easily skipped past a defender and forced the keeper to save down low. So far all City - QPR non-existent.

On 15 Paterson did well to intercept in his own half and send Weimann away, and when the Austrian miscued, determined City recycled possession quickly and Hunt at right back turned his opposite number brilliantly to break, hooking a long distance cross which saw Diedhiou roar into space to prepare an unmarked diving header into the bottom corner.

A stunning lead for City and comfortably deserved as the only side showing any ability to threaten. It could have been more - at the midway point of the half Hunt scooped in for a rusty Massengo whose cross was half cleared, but from Eliasson’s follow up Dasivla retained possession and slammed a rising shot at goal that was desperately deflected wide.

Direct City had the better of the chances but not the possession, and despite QPR rallying, on the half hour centre back Williams lifted a long ball over the home defence to where Diedhiou drifted off the shoulder of the last man and let the ball drop to fire a stunning - but technically tough - first time volley which rose over the crossbar and into the crowd.

QPR had probed with slick passing and interplay but off the ball Johnson’s men had been brilliantly compact and unplayable - causing the hosts to exert energy without chances. But before the break Baker slipped on halfway and right winger Osayi-Samuel ran on, laid the ball into the path of Jordan Hugill, whose early angled shot sailed over the far post.

City went in at half time rightly - and comfortably - ahead, but the second period saw the Londoners move the ball quicker and more directly as the whole balance of the match changed to favour the hosts. Although in minutes star man Eberechi Eze cut a frustrated figure as again he collected a ball in space but his pot shot from range was well wide.

The second period was more scrappy as Johnson’s side highlighted their ability to simply absorb and repel pressure, but right winger Osayi-Samuel - incredibly raw with propensity to simply dribble out of bounds - also got to the byline and cut back dangerously, indeed when City turned behind for a corner, on the hour Hugill’s header was blockd point blank.

City sent on new signing Nahki Wells for Paterson, and then Pedro Perreira for the injured Jack Hunt - who once again showed Loftus Road is where he plays his best football - and it was the debutant who almost doubled City’s advantage, Weimann’s throw in lifted over the top by Massengo and Wells sprinting clear to glance a header on the turn just over.

A minute later Diedhiou underlined a faultless display as Pereira threw in from the right, and 10 yards out and wide, the City top scorer watched the ball drop, held off a defender, flicked it up into the air, then executed a flawless bicycle kick from an acute angle which was tipped away near post . Maynard’s famous goal in W12, but from an improbable angle.

City were not finished and a throw in on the left inside the last 20 minutes saw the irrepressible Diedhiou muscle clear with defenders hanging off him, powering into the box before seeing his shot - under a lot of pressure from retreating defenders - easily held by the hosts keeper at the near post. This was simply a tour-de-force from the underrated striker.

By now QPR had found their range and were blitzing their visitors when in possession, in growing expectation of an equaliser, indeed Oseyi-Samuel, occasionally careless, was now proving a nuisance or Dasilva and regularly getting to the byline in City’s box before cutting back and hoping for a finish - thanks to Baker and Williams no such finish was possible.

In the last ten minutes on 82 the classy Eze swept a long cross into the back post which striker Hugill met and forced Nathan Bentley to brilliantly tip wide. And then finally - and perhaps fittingly - in a last 10 minute assault on City’s goal, before injury time Diedhiou, already racing back repeatedly to help City, headed away a certain goal at the back post.

For five painful minutes added on, QPR - dominant in possession but nowhere close to City on quality of chances or shots on target - would bombard the visitors box: occasionally aided by a remarkably lenient referee who insisted on booking no one despite the hosts continually hacking down City breaks, and yet carding manager Johnson late for protesting.

In the end the match was won as it was at Reading, and so often away from home last season - by sheer will to win and organisation at the back, Baker and Williams putting their bodies on the line to clear any ball thrown at then, while their teammates also capped a flawless display of organisation and compact shape, by stalling every last QPR attack.

 

Bentley 7 A couple of fantastic saves at the end - and again his reaction at the end shows how much he wants it

Hunt 7 Like the cup game in August, loves playing here, was a threat all first half and setup our winning goal

Dasilva 7 Some brilliant interceptions on the run and always busy but got Oseyi-Samuel beat him more late on

Baker 8 Threw himself at and won everything he could - one mistake late in the first half but otherwise perfect

Williams 9 Actually was perfect, think we take him for granted too much, tidies up with such class it’s ridiculous

Smith 8 Possibly a 9 - City didn’t own midfield but Korey regularly turned markers and kept possession - classy

Massengo 6 Looked rusty, gave it away cheaply 2-3 times in the first half. Always energetic but not strong enough

Eliasson 8 A nuisance, was sure he would create another goal, as it was deserves credit for being solid throughout

Paterson 7 Link up early was a feature of how dangerous Diedhiou was - but quickly faded in the second half

Weimann 6 Yet again lots of energy but not really on the wavelength of teammates, not the same level of threat

Diedhiou 10 His best ever, not sure how you sum it up, unplayable centre forward who was best on pitch at both ends

 

Wells 5 Bar early headed chance an odd debut, either too keen or doing QPR a favour: gave them free kick after free kick

Pereira 6 A little raw replacing the injured Hunt but settled and made some important later interventions in midfield

Rowe 6 Came on too late to really rate, but certainly part of a team full of character that were never going to surrender

Great write up Ole and they are always good reading especially the ratings for each player. Only one negative although I have only seen limited highlights so far is the Wells comment of which I think you should have left as “too keen” and not “doing QPR a favour” as it was his debut after all and we all wish he can spin some magic once he settles in to the team. 

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Agree Williams better than Baker yesterday. Thought Baker made another mistake in losing his man on a corner as he seemed to switch off. 

Baker was amazing last 30 but Williams was better over the 90. Not a competition or anything! But maybe Williams should be getting at least as much credit as Baker.

And agree fam motm. He has gone on to whole new levels.

Weimann a strange one. Works his socks off and is so good when we are trying to see out a game. And is so good at helping us press and dominate early stages along with Massengo, Pato and in fact all of them doing that well. 

But on the ball he isn't the best. And maybe it could be argued we could maybe finish teams off with a bit more quality on that side of the pitch on the break. 

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1 hour ago, City oz said:

Great write up Ole and they are always good reading especially the ratings for each player. Only one negative although I have only seen limited highlights so far is the Wells comment of which I think you should have left as “too keen” and not “doing QPR a favour” as it was his debut after all and we all wish he can spin some magic once he settles in to the team. 

Yep agree. He is hardly going to help QPR! 

Wells looked proper pumped up for it and maybe that was the problem. Wanted to impress too much and was too eager to win the ball, so gave away silly fouls. 

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Our defenceplaying have really developed, Baker-Williams, fantastic!  Brownhill to Burnley, dont think that affects us to mutch. Smith is finding his rhytm and the Norwegian guy I think is very good, friends in Norway says he is a good player.Famara is class and now he is not isolated no more, what a player! This was another very good game by City. We got many players who could score and the defence is tight. 16 games still to play in the leauge, we have confidence and keep having clean sheets. This is very nice and exciting. COYR!!!

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7 hours ago, spudski said:

You have to ask yourself how someone can find the energy and extra effort to produce good performances, but couldn't summon it before.

What changed the attitude and determination?

Development or competition and constructive criticism?

Either way, it's good to see Famara stepping up more consistently and performing to the levels he's able to do weekly instead of infrequently like in the past.

 

Famara is a confidence player Spudski and the hat trick he got for Senegal has been the trigger for his improved form.

Add to that the arrival of serious competition in Nahki Wells....................:cool2:.............and he had his best game for ages yesterday.

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Yesterday he became the target man we always hoped he be. Used his power  to win so many headers. He's definitely learnt in is time England and I think him and wells could work together. He was very close to setting up a goal with a beautiful run but put his pass just behind. If that overhead had gone in absolute scenes. I've woken up with He comes from Sebegal, now he lives in Knowle. The best thing is he loves it at the end he was so happy it was a great to see the passion.

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I read the Nahki Wells comment as being sarcastic, I didn’t take it literally. I can’t imagine Ole thinking Wells was being unprofessional, to me it was obviously a glib remark commenting on how he nearly got booked in the first five minutes. It’s not easy playing against your old team, even more after a couple of days. He was probably just a bit off and like others have said, trying too hard

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4 hours ago, Up The City! said:

Ole, I'm very disappointed to see you have said this, you are a respected poster but I'm struggling to find any respect when you are accusing one of our own players of acting unprofessional and helping the other team out. 

Wells has shown nothing but professionalism regarding this situation, I cant believe that you of all people, are questioning that professionalism. You are essentially suggesting that he was trying to throw the game to do QPR a favour and that is a complete wild unsubstantiated accusation. 

Ole was just joking *...........lighten up!

 

*Joke - "Something said to cause amusement or laughter, not meant to be taken seriously"

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