A Tale of Two Derbies

This weekend C&J were in attendance at 2 derbies on Sunday. C was in attendance at Loftus Road for QPR v Chelsea, while J was at Old Trafford for the Manchester Derby between Manchester United and Manchester City...

J -

It's official. Manchester is Red again. Sunday was arguably Man Utd's best performance of the season. Here are J's thoughts on the game:

First point to make is that there is no Moyes-bashing here but it's funny to think that just a few months ago the papers were questioning whether LVG was not progressing the team and was just the same as David Moyes. A quick Google search showed me that on 17 January the Daily Mail asked this very question and concluded that progress had been minimal, particularly for the £150m outlay of the Glazers. What a difference 3 months makes...there is now a clear difference and hopefully the pointless comparisons will stop now. After 32 games last year, United were on 54 points and in 7th position. This year they are now 11 points better off after the same number of games and 4 places higher in the table. From a fan's perspective, there has not really been any comparison this year. The confidence has been restored and even when the team weren't performing particularly well, they still appeared like they could grind out results which they couldn't do last year. Now the performances have clicked the style of football is vastly different and the attacking verve that fans have come to expect of United is back. Importantly, the club have improved in front of the home crowd as well. Last year at home, United picked up a grand total of 30(!!) points at home over the course of the whole season. They had the 9th best home record in the Premier League. After 32 games this year they have 43 points and hold the best record in the league at home. The aura around Old Trafford and the belief in the team is returning, as is the enjoyment watching attacking and winning football.

Moving on to the game...it was striking how polar opposite this year's Old Trafford derby was to last year's. Last year United were meek and rolled over easily. They dominated possession in both games (they had 53% possession last year, compared to 59% this year) which just shows that having possession amounts to nothing if you aren't clinical and prolific with your possession. United's style has been criticised for being too direct this year but since the Tottenham game at Old Trafford it has been direct football with a purpose and has been fast paced with a real gameplan in mind, as opposed to sterile possession. United had 7 shots on target this game and scored with 4 goals. Simply put, they were clinical with their finishing and were dominant throughout the game. It looked like it could have been more more after Smalling got the 4th goal and Citeh just didn't turn up after they got their early goal.

The resurgence of Marouane Fellaini continues. I will hold my hands up and admit I thought he was way out of his depth at United after last season but he has well and truly won me and the majority of United fans over judging by his standing ovation on Sunday. He was absolutely dominant all game and ran Yaya Toure ragged. Fellaini won 9 aerial challenges on Sunday and this was again in stark contrast to his performance in this game last year where he won just 3 aerial challenges. He only had 49 touches in the game last year and was largely absent, exerting no influence at all. This year he had 61 touches including the 2nd goal for United, and he won the ball back in the move which led to Mata's goal. Defensively he had an influence as well and made 2 clearances and 2 interceptions, which again compares to last year where he had 1 interception and 0 clearances. Fellaini has shown character and ability this year in abundance and is due a lot of credit for his turnaround, as is LVG who has played him in his perfect role. It begs the question why Moyes didn't when he knew the player inside out?

Michael Carrick has been called under-rated so many times, it has to come to a point when this is no longer the case but his influence was clearly evident on Sunday. He exerted a calm presence over the midfield and marshalled Jones and Smalling in the centre of defence as well. It's no coincidence that the periods of bad performances came primarily when Carrick was absent. He has been excellent this year and his one year contract extension was an excellent decision by the United hierarchy.

C- 

It was a case of the age old hard luck story for QPR under Chris Ramsey. They fought admirably and tactically were set up perfectly for the match with the village idiots from SW6, but yet again a moment of madness cost the Superhoops so so dear. This was the most gut wrenching of all the recent frustrations, not just because it came at the hands of that lot, but because it genuinely showed we could compete with the best in the Premier League once again and make them very very uncomfortable.

Chris Ramsey was quick to leap to the defence of Rob Green after the match and insisted that the blame would not lie with him, but with the defence for their slow reactions to the situation. Whilst I agree that QPR did not use the thirty-odd seconds they had to scurry back and ensure they each had a Chelsea man very well at all, I can't absolve 'Greeno' of all blame. His kicking has always looked dodgy to me and I think he knows it is his weakness, hence his decision to throw out to his nearest defender so often. He panicked here for no apparent reason and that was inexcusable. Of course, painful as it is to say, the Chavs showed the kind of performance that was worth its weight in dirty Russian Roubles (by the way, how on earth can Jose Mourinho have the audacity to declare the fascist institution as being "Financial Fair Play compliant" and then accuse Manchester City of being the bad guys? I think if it's going to be applied, it should be applied retrospectively right back to the first time Red Rom said "I buy it!"). 

I still can't believe how ordinary we made Chelsea look, how we clearly rattled them and how they only managed one shot on target and 70% pass completion. "Still beat you though" - I can hear those smug b@stards now...

Oh, special mention for the "Captain, Leader, Fascist" John Terry, the treatment of whom by the home fans disgusted many Chelsea fans, I note. How anyone can defend the actions of that man and his family is beyond me - and don't even talk to me about the people that wrote "John Terry" and "class" in the same sentence, as some deluded Village Idiots did. They will argue 'til they're blue in the face that we are hypocrites for saying the same about Joey Barton - I don't see any QPR fan writing "Joey Barton" and "class*" in the same sentence - "class" implies role model status. Neither of the pantomime villains are anything like "class". The missile throwing was unacceptable but will the FA punish the Chelsea players for incitement? Of course not, the top teams are untouchable when it comes to that sort of thing...

*Joey Barton did, in fact, put in a Man of the Match performance - a tenacious, determined performance where he really hassled the Chelsea midfield, not allowing them any time on the ball, as well as providing a driving force as QPR sought an unlikely goal. Still not class, though. Just to clear that up.

Matty Phillips deserves a mention for his progress under Chris Ramsey. Listed for loan in the January Transfer Window and almost joining Derby County, Phillips has been a revelation since the change of management. His confidence has grown week by week and he looks more and more like the player I hoped we had signed when we spent £5m on him from Blackpool two Summers ago (wonder what the Oystons did with that money?). Second top assist maker in Europe behind Messi since the turn of the year?! You bet!

A two week break now (as we're a game ahead of the rest of the pack) this will be a horrible Saturday afternoon spent in front of Jeff Stelling and Co. praying teams around us slip up. It's crap when it's not in your hands! We must win our remaining home games and get a point somewhere on the road in our last three aways to at least have a chance. 

Whatever happens, I really don't think we'd have got this far and shown this much fight and determination under Harry Houdini. Chef Ramsey has done an excellent job since taking over. Unfortunately he can't seem to bring confidence to the fragile defence, the damage to them seems irreparable and this may yet prove to be the trigger for relegation. But he's at least instilled confidence and a new way of playing that means we're having a right good go!

Match Review - Wolves bite back to beat Leeds at the Death

J was in attendance at Molineux on a glorious Monday evening to witness a spectacular match that encapsulated this madcap Championship season.

Wolves 4 - 3 Leeds



Wolves have been on a great run at the moment, but if this season has taught anyone in the Championship it is that there are no easy games (except Blackpool) and that one result can change so much (see Middlesbrough's fall from 1st to 4th with one result on Monday).

Wolves came into the match unbeaten in 5 and having won their last 3 games and sitting just outside the playoff places. In contrast, Leeds were languishing in mid-table, and had lost their last game to Blackburn. Leeds have been again mired in controversy off the pitch - Neil Redfearn said that he was considering his position after his assistant, Steve Thompson, was fired in the week; Redfearn had also been requested not to play striker, Mirco Antenucci in their game against Blackburn as it is reported that he will be automatically given a new contract with 2 more goals this season; and there have been more rumours about takeovers from Red Bull amongst others.

However, at this stage of the season the pressure of a promotion chase can either make or break teams (note: Derby for 'break'). This pressure appeared to get to Kevin McDonald. He allowed himself to be pressured into slamming his clearance straight into Richard Stearman right in front of his own goal in the 11th minute, gifting Charlie Taylor his first senior goal for Leeds with a relative tap-in.

The goal came completely against the run of play and Wolves seemed confident in their game and continued to play as they had before, dominating possession and constantly looking for their deadly trio up front - Dicko, Sako and Afobe.

This paid off in the 19th minute as Afobe got the ball from the adventurous Dominic Iorfa on the right hand side. Afobe took his man on and flashed a shot across goal which was going wide until Dicko stole in at the back post to finish from an extremely acute angle.

J has been to a couple of Wolves games this season now and a key feature in their game is the directness of the passing that looks to feed one of Sako, Dicko or Afobe. When there is pace to burn in all 3 it is a very effective tactic. Just before half time a similar through ball from Sako played in Dicko. He was one on one but still around 20 yards out but chose to hit it early hard and low at the goalkeeper's near post. It took him by surprise and it flashed in off the post. Silvestri will probably think that he should have saved it, but it meant that Wolves went into the break in high spirits.

This showed from the outset and they scored again 3 minutes into the second half. A cross caused mayhem in the Leeds box and it looked for all the world that Danny Batth would score when he struck a shot from about 12 yards out until it hit Dicko in the six yard box, luckily the ball rebounded to Benik Afobe who gobbled up the rebound for his 29th goal of the season.

Afobe now has 10 goals in 16 games for Wolves and has been worth the money spent on prising him from Arsenal. Wolves upturn in fortune has coincided with his capture and he now has more goals than Harry Kane in total this season. According to whoscored.com he has 2.4 shots on average per game for Wolves, proving he has a keen eye for goal with a goal in every other game for them so far this season on average.

At this point in the game it looked like Leeds were there for the taking, but Wolves seemed to be struck by nerves and sat back. They invited pressure from Leeds who duly obliged with Alex Mowatt seemingly at the heart of all their good moments. Mowatt was based in the middle but also on the right hand wing with licence to roam inside as and when he wanted to put the ball on his favoured left foot. One such foray inside the pitch brought Leeds a way back in as his cross was turned into his own net by Batth. Carl Ikeme in goal must not have given him a shout as he came out to collect the cross and it was a comical own goal that invigorated Leeds.

They pushed forwards in search for an equaliser and were getting increased control in the middle of the park. Kenny Jackett responded by throwing in Dave Edwards to go into midfield in place of Dicko. It was a bold choice and Jackett clearly wanted the numbers in midfield and added defensive protection that Dicko just wouldn't provide.

It didn't stop Leeds equalising when Mowatt again cut inside on his left foot taking on the defence before curling a glorious left footed strike into Ikeme's right hand post, sending the travelling Leeds fans wild.

The game was then anyone's and it seemed like Wolves were happy to settle for a point having weathered the storm. But then on 88 minutes up stepped Dave Edwards to gloriously flick a header into the far corner sending Molineux into raptures. Kevin McDonald atoned for his earlier error with the beautiful in-swinging cross which was begging to be headed in. This was McDonald's 11th assist of the season meaning he has the joint second highest number of assists in the division.

Wolves held on for the win and look like they are peaking at precisely the right moment for a tilt at the play-offs. But then again, we all know how quickly things can change...

Man of the Match - J will give this to Dicko for his brace with special mention to Afobe who was given MOTM by whoscored.com. Leeds couldn't deal with Nouha Dicko in the first half and his finish for both goals showed that he has a lot of quality. Wigan should be kicking themselves for offloading him given their travails this season!

J

A Good Friday ramble

THIS IS NOT A RANT, BUT...

Eat Sleep Drink Blog Football is back, and yes, two years on C is still moaning! But for good reasons I'm sure you'll agree. 

1. Raheem Sterling, he does what he wants

"I don't want to be perceived as a money-grabbing 20 year old". Well, Raheem, it's funny that - it's a bit like telling me not to think about a pink elephant with spots sat on a car bonnet! The warning signs were there when he chose to leave QPR (the club that spotted him) aged just fifteen and not having ever played a senior game for them to sign for Liverpool. 

The same player has now publicly come out and effectively declared himself bigger than his club, and indeed bigger than the national team, feeding us lines that his personal trainer life coach agent has pre-prepared for him about being "too tired", "suffering burnout" and "wanting to win more trophies". I translate this as someone who has had his head turned by the poison in football influencing him to be demanding too much too early in his career and basically planting the thought in his head that he is too good to appear for England Under 21s or indeed for Liverpool and could sit on the bench at somewhere like Chelsea doing far less and earning far more. You're only 20 for Christ's sake, mate! Oh and PS there's this other young player called Harry Kane who wants to play every game he possibly can for club and country and doesn't grumble about it!! Quite simply, a ridiculous interview and major own goal Raheem...

2. Steve Evans

I could just leave it at the name couldn't I? I've mentioned poison in football above, but how the big red Scottish criminal continues to make a living managing Rotherham United with his managerial style of "go ballistic at everyone and everything and blame them when we lose, but take all the credit when we win" I do not know. What kind of a role model is this man to young Millers fans or indeed fans of any other Championship club who have to put up with his demeanor for 180 minutes a season? This week he managed to successfully demolish the FA's "Respect" campaign once more, effing and blinding on the touchline. Then after the game he had the audacity to say "I'm not questioning the integrity of Dean Whitestone (referee), I'm just saying he was atrocious today. You can write that in capitals for the Football League... Certain people don't want us in the Championship". This bloke is deluded and scum.

3. AFC Bournemouth - a "success story"?

I do enjoy watching the style of football that Bournemouth play, however this feeling they have managed to infiltrate the press with that they are "underdogs" and "wouldn't it be amazing if they made it to the top flight" is ridiculous - they, just like fellow nouveau riche Wigan and Fulham before them, have been bankrolled up through the divisions - let's be honest, how many clubs of Bournemouth's stature are likely to attract people like Kenwyne Jones to sign on loan for them? They would fade in to nothingness without the millions of Max Demin and Eddie Mitchell. I bet Harry Redknapp can smell the bank notes and should think he is a shoo-in to pitch up at his "local" next season as Director of Football.

And if they are so good and such a tremendous genuine lower league success story then what is the point in the blatant diving of today's televised fixture against Ipswich (Callum Wilson and Yann Kermorgant with particularly embarrassing examples of Ashley Young impersonations)?

On the plus side, watching the Nationwide Division Three West London derby between Foolham and Brentwood unfold was very entertaining - it's just a shame that five teams can't be relegated from the Championship this season! 

Felix Magath pictured enjoying the demise of the Cottagers

Finally I suppose you want to know my prediction for QPR tomorrow - 2-1 to West Brom. Individual errors to cost dear as usual. Performance summary: "Edit copy, edit paste".

C

Guess Who's Back

After a brief 2 year hiatus, guess who's back?!

C & J are now back with the new and improved ESDB Football.


(credit - James Bradbury/CU Independent)

There won't be the same format as before necessarily and we're sure that you'll be excited to know that from now on...anything goes!

We'll be providing as regular updates as we can so please follow/like us on social media to stay in touch. Our relevant accounts are -

• Twitter - @ESDBFootball / twitter.com/ESDBFootball
• Facebook - ww.facebook.com/esdbfootball

Please contain your excitement and we will be back with full articles very soon!

C&J

Swansea give R's whipping

Match Report: Swansea 4-1 QPR

Just when you thought Rangers' defence had tightened up a bit under Harry and that scoring goals would be the key to us staying up, this happened.

When Swansea and Rangers came up together from the Championship two seasons ago, it was a not uncommon view that QPR would stay in the Premiership for the long haul while the Welshmen would struggle to sustain their status as they were still very much a work in progress and lacking the finances of the boys from W12, particularly after the arrival of Tony Fernandes. Since then, both teams have done their absolute best to turn this reasonable logic on it’s head.  Swansea have spent wisely and under consecutive ‘bright young thing’ managers have created a system of retaining possession and a cutting edge, allied with a reasonable sturdiness at the back. QPR have spent like a gambler in Vegas, with each long shot punt looking more forlorn than the last.

This was an invaluable trip for learning Welsh. I even know how to say "you're rich and you're effing shit" now!

Rangers started without the injured Remy and Fabio and looked set up to soak pressure and try and sneak a set piece goal to win it. This lasted five minutes before Michu mishit home a shot spilled by Cesar and then the R's completely imploded when 12 minutes later local hero Angel Rangel did the same thing. Cesar has been the shining light in recent weeks for the R's and proved an extremely dependable last line of defence, but he was flappy here and clearly uncomfortable with pass backs which he was repetitively sold by his frail defence in front of him - it was revealed after the game that Cesar had played with an injury sustained against Norwich, which won't have helped and it is questionable whether it was a good idea to play him from the outset. For the rest of the half QPR had no Plan B and with Derry and Mbia willingly conceding ground allowed Swansea to totally dictate the game with the inevitable ‘tippy tappy’ Jacks enjoying themselves without even having to try - particularly when twisting and turning around  the statues of Clint Hill and Armand Traore. Reflecting at half time, the only two efforts on goal Rangers had created were a wild blast from Taarabt long after the whistle had been blown for which he was booked and a set piece culminating in a header from Onouha that ended up further away from the goal than it had started. That was it, absolutely diabolical. A similar first half performance to that in the Norwich home game, only more damaging.

In fairness to Redknapp, he responded at half time, bringing on Zamora and Granero for Derry and the anonymous Jamie Mackie (who couldn't seem to decide whether he was a striker or winger). Within two minutes it was ‘game on’ as this time Vorm did the spilling: Taarabt shot from 25 yards and Zamora was quickest to react and scored with a tap in. This was but a fleeting moment as the sea of dross and ineptitude was resumed as Pablo Hernandez waltzed his way through the right side of QPRs defence and scored with what looked like a cross. Cesar, after single-handedly keeping Chelsea, Spurs and Man City at bay in recent weeks, was having a stinker. Apparently this was the first time three Spaniard’s have scored for the same team in the Premier League.

Compared to the limpness of the first half, there was just a fraction more conviction about Rangers and when Townsend’s cross was deliberately handled in the box by Williams there appeared to be an opportunity to get back into the game again (last week’s penalty miss notwithstanding). But referee Swarbrick and his assistants couldn’t or wouldn’t so didn’t and from the resulting corner Mbia had a goal-bound shot turned off the line.

A couple of weeks ago we saw Swansea begin pursuing innovative ways of breaking down opposing team’s momentum through time wasting tactics with the infamous ballboy/Hazard incident. Today saw three ball changes because they were not inflated to satisfactory levels for total football and a ridiculous amount of feigned head injuries that all added to Rangers' frustration.

On 67 minutes the away end half emptied as Michu shrugged off £13m man mountain Samba (how?) and poked home the fourth with ease. With the game long over and Swansea already thinking of Wembley in a fortnight, QPR began to play and eventually created chances: Taarabt curled around the post and SWP (introduced in a lightweight for lightweight exchange with Jenas) hit the bar on 90+2.

Swansea looked like a decent outfit but were made to look better by Rangers being toothless, set-up wrong and playing incredibly badly. In all probability this was always on the cards as the moment Bunn saved Taarabt’s penalty last week heads dropped as they realised that the size of the task was too daunting and they couldn’t be arsed anyway. Next up, Manchester United!

Man of the match: Miguel Michu continues to stun everyone in the Premier League and proved as he did on the opening day against Rangers where he announced his arrival to English (Welsh) football just what a class act he is. I can't see the Swans holding on to him for much longer, but at least he'll win them a first major trophy. 

A huge outlay but still nil return

Match Review: QPR 0-0 Norwich

After another Transfer Deadline Day with no shortage of drama at Loftus Road and more silly prices and wages being dished out to more 'has been' players or players way out of our league if it wasn't for the money, there is still no change in luck on the pitch for the hopeless Hoops, as they squandered another opportunity for three points that, looking at the fixture list ahead, they really needed to take.

Deadline day signings Andros Townsend (who I personally have never rated having seen him go on loan to almost every Championship club and look every bit an average Championship player) replaced the completely off the boil Granero, whilst Christopher Samba replaced Toronto bound Ryan Nelsen. The other changes were forced by injuries to Nedum Onuoha, who has produced his best displays in a blue and white hooped shirt since returning from compassionate leave, and Loïc Rémy, the striker whose goals we have pinned all of our survival hopes on. In came SWP whilst Fabio was switched to right back. 

Both sides came into the game short of goals and with Rémy injured, Rangers started with Jamie Mackie as their lone striker which looked toothless and a negative set up even before it began. Norwich had their signing Becchio on the bench with part-time traffic island Grant Holt starting up top for them.

The first half was instantly forgettable. A low quality affair served up by two nervous teams. Amongst the yawns, the few moments of quality came through Taarabt for Rangers and Snodgrass for the Canaries, who looked a real quality player, but then again so do most wingers when they face Armand Traore! Neither keeper made any saves of note with off target long range efforts, scuffed shots and weak headers the order of the day. Mbia was booked on a totting up basis for a number of silly tugs to further break up any vaguely coherent moves. Free kicks were conceded in non-threatening positions and the quality of delivery from all set pieces was poor. Despite the low key proceedings and lack of any controversy whatsoever, motor-mouth Holt still found it necessary to confront headmaster referee Jon Moss as they walked off at half time.

The second half just had to be an improvement and it was. Rangers were much more positive and on 46 minutes Garrido conceded a cheap free kick to SWP. Taarabt's delivery was much improved but, not for the last time, the lack of determination to get on the end of it meant that it sailed through the six yard box without anyone getting a vital touch. But it wasn't all at one end and QPR's fragile defence needed Julio Cesar to make a fabulous one-handed reaction save to keep out Wes Hoolahan's close-range flicked effort. Cesar also made a decent stop from Bradley Johnson. Norwich were committed and niggly but gradually QPR began to get on top. The game's pivotal moment arrived in the 55th minute. Jamie Mackie, isolated and muted all game, found himself chasing a poor backpass by Garrido and was fouled by keeper Mark Bunn for a penalty. Ironically, Rangers' only other penalty this season was at Norwich away, where Cisse's effort was saved before Zamora scored the rebound. Sadly, Taarabt's shot was too close to the diving Bunn and this time the effort was turned round the post. Taarabt held his head in his hands, knowing the golden chance had gone, and as often happens when something doesn't go right for him in a game, he lost his way a little. He did still manage another couple of efforts, a free kick and a driven shot but as he faded from the game, so did QPR. Townsend showed some good energy down the left and with Zamora introduced for SWP had a different kind of target to aim for. Admittedly, Zamora actually looked more of a handful than the disinterested man who said he plays football 'because it is my job' before his injury, and his introduction did seem to cause Norwich to become very physical and pick up bookings for rash challenges. Jermaine Jenas and Tal Ben Haim came on for Mbia and Fabio as Harry tried his utmost to give Norwich different questions to answer but Rangers offered nothing in the way of a killer pass and were always short of bodies in the box. 

And so it ended 0-0, an improved second half offering some entertainment, but not disguising two teams low on confidence and out of form. The new boys did well but the lack of attacking threat and Norwich's lack of ambition meant that a stalemate was always likely. It's not quite all over yet for Rangers,  but games are running out and the gap is not narrowing. The immediate worry has to be just how long Rémy and Onuoha will be out of action. 

Man of the match: I still can't look beyond Julio Cesar as his exceptional shot stopping continues to ensure the clean sheets on which the unbeaten league run this year is founded. "Triffic" stuff from QPR's first ever Brazilian international.

Rangers Cesar point from the champions

Match Review: QPR 0-0 Manchester City

It is staggering to think that QPR fans have only seen eight home league goals this season, but given the circumstances and the season so far I think solid defensive shut-outs and points against the big boys are more welcome than entertainment value right now. As we discovered on transfer deadline day this week, value for money is something QPR don't deliver in any department anyway!

Coming in to this fixture QPR were on a reasonable run of league form , 1 win and 2 draws so far in 2013, albeit with only 2 goals scored but a miserly 1 conceded. Manchester City, on the other hand, had won all 3 fixtures since the turn of the year, scoring 7 to nil against. The R's team was much changed from the McCup humiliation and bizarrely included 2 keepers on the bench, a nice subtle 'I'm down to the bare bones' message from Harry ahead of his second favourite date of the calendar year (the other being 31st August).

In swirling misty rain the game started pretty evenly with most of QPR's play going through Taarabt while City had more possession and attacked in particular down the left hand side. Mbia had his customary early injury scare and lie down before the Champions really began to ask the questions. A succession of inswinging corners were dealt with, some less comfortably than others. It took 16 minutes until Man City played their way through with Aguero getting round the side of Nelsen and attacking the box with a low cross put behind by Hill. Corners continued to rain in from Milner and Silva with Cesar punching or more precisely flapping when under pressure. At the end of this sequence Milner broke in from the left, Silva attracted all 4 of QPRs markers and then when Zabaleta was picked out instead he had acres of space but only hit the bar with his header. Makeshift City centre half Javi Garcia then hit a screamer from fully 35 yards which faded just off target. Later in the half Taarabt barrelled his way through in a counter attacking move and forced Hart to rush out to save. This was a rare moment as by now the R's game plan of soaking up pressure and hoping for Taarabt to slip something through to Remy on the break was obvious. The slick interplay, attacking flair and incredible ball retention of the City players, particularly that of David Silva, showed the gulf in class between the two sides. It was a City onslaught and a goal looked certain.

Mbia, freshly booked for clipping Clichy, lost his footing and Tevez attacked. He found Aguero who hit his shot firm and true but it was turned round by a wonder save from Cesar.  Part 1 was completed at 0-0. Given this was against the Champions, against the wind and effectively with 10 men (as Granero seemed, at times, to be conspiring with his fellow Spaniards Garcia and Silva who had basically run the game), this was no mean feat.

The second half was more of the same but with three slight twists; QPR began to play with a bit more attacking intent and made some chances, referee Dowd started going all 'Big Team' bias and City began to look frustrated. Granero got booked and Remy opened his body to attempt a curler that went too high and wide, but it was still mostly City in the ascendancy. Dzeko was introduced for Nasri but Cesar continued to repel all efforts. Mbia had his second lie down of the evening and when fouled again on 77 minutes Rangers had a slightly off-centre free kick 25 yards out - ideal Taarabt territory. Unfortunately, and not for the first time this season, Granero exerted his seniority and blasted high and wide, prompting angry waving and boos from the terraces. Shortly after Hart had been teased by the crowd for his shampoo endorsements came the first of two controversial penalty claims, one for each side. On 73 minutes Remy was brought down in the box as he cut in from the right but Dowd ignored the appeals (a look at the replay revealed that Remy certainly made the most of it, which perhaps was what made the referee's mind up). On 87 minutes Onuoha looked to foul City bench warmer Scott Sinclair at the far end, but again, with a strong suspicion of evening things out, it wasn't given. In between Cesar had produced another pergunto salvar (that's Brazilian for wonder save) from Silva. Three subs from Harry (Park, Faurlin and Zamora) saw out the 4 minutes of added time. A clean sheet was the least Nelsen deserved on his last appearance and it was down to the stunning efforts of Cesar that this was achieved.

In my calculation of 36, 37, 38 or however many points for safety, I had nothing down for this one, so it represents a good point. Norwich on Saturday, however, will see a whole different level of expectation. Especially with the teams around us continuing to match or better our positive results!

Man of the match: As suggested by the title, it has to be the one Mark Hughes signing who has really lived up to his reputation (well at least in recent weeks). Julio Cesar has frustrated some of the world's best footballers in the last few weeks, conceding just once in the league since the turn of the year. Here he turned in another heroic display, with stunning saves from Barry in the first half and Silva in the second here.