Smith heads QPR to surprise win over high-flying Wolves
LONDON: A header by Matt Smith gave Queens Park Rangers a much-needed boost at the end of a dire week and a surprise 2-1 victory over high-flying Wolverhampton Wanderers in their English Championship clash.
Smith’s late winner for QPR, who are facing a fine believed to be £40mil (RM223mil) for contravening Financial Fair Play rules when they were promoted to the Premier League in 2014, denied big spending Wolves regaining top spot in the second-tier division.
Wolves are a point adrift of Sheffield United, who on Friday went top of the second tier for the first time since 2005 with a 2-1 win over Yorkshire rivals Leeds at Elland Road.
Ian Holloway’s QPR side face Sheffield United next up tomorrow but having ended their seven-match winless run, he says they have nothing to fear.
“Now we’ve got to play somebody else who’s top of the league – and how many times have we had that this season? Just bring it on,” said QPR boss Holloway.
“It doesn’t matter who’s where (in the league), if we keep working like that, I’m certain QPR will get stronger and stronger.”
His Wolves counterpart Nuno Espirito Santo was disappointed by his side’s display especially after becoming the only side to hold Manchester City goalless earlier this week in the League Cup before they lost on penalties.
“We were not the team that we should be, a team that wants to come to the pitch and play with high intensity and fight for every moment,” said the Portuguese handler, who was sacked as Porto coach at the end of last season.
Cardiff also missed the chance of going top when their lack of firepower was once again exposed as they were held 0-0 at home by mid-table Millwall.
Bristol City rounded off a fine week in which they humiliated Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace 4-1 in the League Cup with a 2-1 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
While City moved into fourth spot in the table, things are looking dire for Sunderland and their man- ager Simon Grayson.
They are without a home win this year and after the crushing disappointment of relegation from the Premier League last season look set for another battle for survival this term as they are second bottom.
“I am under no illusions we need to start winning very quickly. We need to get some positivity before the next two games,” said the 47-year-old Grayson.
“I will be here to fight on, without a shadow of doubt. I have to lift them but we have to do the basics right.
“I am saying the same things after every defeat. We are still making bad decisions, not taking responsibility and gifting our opponents opportunities to win games.”