QPR 0 - 0 Norwich

QPR v Norwich
2nd February 2013
12:45
Premier League
Loftus Road

     QPR 0    0 Norwich

Picture: Sky Sports

After Odemwingie-gate on Thursday, Harry Redknapp will have been keen to get back to football for a must win game against faltering Norwich. New star striker Loic Remy was ruled out with a groin injury yesterday, leaving Jamie Mackie to lead the line. There were debuts handed to Chris Samba and Andros Townsend. Norwich were unchanged from the eleven that started in the draw with Tottenham midweek, Chris Hughton having missed out on Celtic's Gary Hooper, though the striker was at no point seen in the Carrow Road car park.

QPR started brightly, Taarabt blazing a shot high and wide inside the first minute. Then for Norwich, Snodgrass worked a wonderful whipped cross across the danger area but good pressure from the in-form Julio Cesar between the sticks forced Hoolahan to flick it over the bar.

Adel Taarabt showed his class on the stroke of ten minutes, finding a way past the attentions of three Norwich defenders like a man with super glue on his boots, striking across the Norwich goal from 25 yards and just beyond the far post.

QPR looked promising in the opening exchanges, Townsend involved in much of their good work, and the home side did not look like a team propping up the table. A free kick wide left gave an opportunity for the giant Samba to get into the opposition penalty box, which does offer Rangers a genuine threat from set pieces, though on this occasion a poor delivery saw Bunn gratefully claim it.

Referee John Moss was possibly lenient in not booking Mbia for persistent man-handling, but in general he allowed the game to flow well, and did well to keep his cards in his pocket for the first half.

Shaun Wright-Phillips was typically industrious down the right flank, but Norwich defended resolutely, and came back into the game as the half went on.

On paper it was a game that might have promised goals, though increasingly the two sides cancelled each other out with no space being found in behind either back line, and it seemed it would take something special to break the deadlock.

That almost happened, a stunning ball from Taarabt found Wright-Phillips on the edge of the box, who turned on a six-pence but excellent pressure left him off balance and unable to find the target.

Another wasted free kick from QPR lead to fast Norwich break which resulted in a free kick  at the other end in a dangerous position. However, Snodgrass shot well wide from the dead ball.

The game was opening up toward the end of the half, but the final delivery from both sides was sadly lacking. 0-0 at the break, Chris Hughton probably the happier of the two managers.


At the start of the second half Taarabt finally produced a good ball from a set play and it fizzed agonisingly right across the 6 yard box but no one could get the crucial touch.

Hill made a real hash of a clearance, and left Grant Holt to find Snodgrass in the middle, only to be denied by a stunning save at close quarters from Julio Cesar. If QPR are to stay up, some of the saves made by the Brazilian in recent weeks could prove crucial.

The onus was on Harry Redknapp to mix it up and he threw on Zamora for Wright-Phillips.The reward was instant, Mackie chasing a ball down in the box and prodding it past Bunn, the Norwich keeper bringing him down for a penalty. Taarabt stepped up for the spot kick, but was unable to convert it, Bunn making amends with a great stop to his left.

QPR spent no time licking their wounds, but continued to press. A free kick on the edge of the Norwich penalty area, was wasted by Taraabt again. The Moroccan was ever involved for the Rs, but it was a surprise another player didn't take set piece duties off him, after having wasted so many throughout the afternoon.

In open play he looked the most likely to produce the moment of brilliance QPR desperately needed, testing Bunn again on the hour mark with a 25 yard effort that moved twice in the air.

At the other end Johnson tested Cesar with a similar strike, and the game was becoming a tale of two keepers.

It was almost a dream debut for Samba when he met a cross and was denied by Grant Holt on the line. Another debutant came on immediately after, Jermain Jenas replacing Stephane Mbia.

Tal Ben-Haim then replaced Fabio five minutes later, becoming QPR's 50th player used this campaign.

QPR's desperation grew, as did their possession, and the game began to feel like a cup tie for the home fans. Townsend had been impressive, and he cut inside well only to shoot along the ground straight into Bunn's grateful arms.

Norwich were in need of some respite, the cry from the away fan's end was for 'Luciano Becchio'. Another former Leeds man Snodgrass attempted a thronker from 30 yards, and was magnificently denied by the acrobatics of Julio Cesar.

Michael Turner was very unfortunate to be booked when it appeared he had played to head the ball. This time it was Jermain Jenas who took the free kick responsibilities, a decent strike blocked by his own player on route to goal. Townsend again cut back and delivered a delicious chip to the far post which Zamora couldn't head in, an action mirrored by his manager Redknapp on the touchline.

The Norwich defence were very good value for their clean sheet, Bassong heading over well from another free kick, then Bunn producing another great stop from a shot by Andros Townsend.

Becchio was finally introduced with five minutes to go, though Hughton by this stage must have been desperate to get back to East Anglia with a point.

Despite five minutes of injury time, the score remained goalless. It was more entertaining than the score suggests and either keeper could have a claim for man of the match. Another frustrating point for QPR and Harry will have to view it is two points dropped, though he will be encouraged by the performance of his players, particularly new recruit Andros Townsend, who was very impressive in front of Loftus Road for the first time.