Qpr Review

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Bristol City won their crunch match with rivals QPR by the narrow margin of 1-0 thanks to a 40th minute Chris Roberts goal, but the scoreline masked a vast improvement in performance from the Robins from recent matches.

Both sides went into the game fired up and there wasn't much to choose between the two, with QPR looking the more composed and organised but City looked the most likely to score, thanks to some direct play through wide men Bell and Murray. However the first real shot of note came from Paul Furlong of the away team, blasting high and wide into the Atyeo.

City forced a number of corners but QPR's arial dominance coped well and it was through ground play that the home team threatened, Peacock nearly getting onto a Murray pass. Murray in fact nearly scored with a header but keeper Lee Camp turned the ball away from point blank range.

Just as it seemed the scoreline would be blank at half time City took the lead, Murray slotting a precise pass into the path of Roberts who diverted the ball past Camp into the net.

The second half saw QPR come out and put City on the back foot but the defence held firm with all four defenders playing well, in particular Louis Carey who had probably one of his best games. Steve Phillips dealt with a few high crosses, punching clear under pressure, and it was nearly 2-0 when Murray was put clear by Luke Wilkshire who had just replaced Brian Tinnion but Camp made an excellent block.

It was a game that could change on one moment and it arrived seven minutes from the end when Doherty mis-controlled deep in his own half and the ball was put forward for Jamie Cureton to run onto clear, but Steve Phillips made an outstanding save to deny the Rangers' forward. On such moments are games decided.

Although QPR threw men forward at the last they could not break down City's back line and but for a close offside call Murray might have sealed it when clear.

Phillips: 7. Competent performance enhanced by the win-saving block at the end.

Carey: 9. Immense. Never put a foot wrong, assured defending, must surely be his best of his career.

Coles: 7. Held up well against Gallen, cleared the ball well, was impossible to get past.

Butler: 6. Solid, had a good battle with Furlong, better than his recent performances.

Hill: 6. Competent, held the left back position well, good in the air, still prone to slicing the ball into touch.

Murray: 6. Should have had two but made the goal. Not yet up to his best but slotted into his old position as though he'd never been away.

Doherty: 6. Battled well, held the defensive midfield slot ok. Guilty of nearly presenting QPR with a goal at the en. Stupidly booked in the second half.

Tinnion: 6. Quieter game for him but sprayed a few passes nicely around. Replaced by Wilkshire when his legs appeared to fail.

Bell: 7. Crossed some dangerous ones into the box, held the left midfield slot nicely and brought some badly needed shape to the team.

Peacock: 7. Battled hard, held the ball up and flicked a lot of high balls on. No goals but on effort and committment justified a 7.

Roberts: 7. Looked a little disinclined to chase the ball early on but came into the game the longer it went on. Scored a good goal and thereafter chased every lost cause. Replaced late on by Miller.

Subs.

Wilkshire: 7. Showed in a few flashes that he's a prospect for the future. Beaut of a pass to put Murray in.

Miller: 7. Full of running and battled for every ball. Made himself a right nuisance and unsettled Rangers' defenders.