HAPPY TO TAKE A POINT
A NEW era at Loftus Road got off to an Olliewood start as QPR survived a late scare to beat Norwich.
Conor Washington and Sebastian Polter scored the goals, lifting Rangers to within four points of the play-off places – but the afternoon was all about one man.
Ten years after his first spell as manager, Ian Holloway was back in the dugout to a rapturous reception from the home faithful.
“It was bizarre to get that welcome,” Holloway ( below) admitted after his homecoming.
“I had to steady myself in the tunnel before I came out because I could hear my favourite song. I had a tear in my eye and had to compose myself.”
If the QPR fans were hoping for a little more crash, bang, wallop after the tepid Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink regime, they did not have to wait long for it.
The home side were a man to the good inside 75 seconds, Norwich defender Martin Olsson seeing red for handling on the line.
To add to the drama, Tjaronn Chery then dragged the resulting penalty wide.
But on 20 minutes, Chery’s deep corner was met by P Po l t e r, wh o g guided the ball b back across goal for W Washington to tuck i it away.
Che ry made further amends for h is spo t - k i c k , threading a pass of rare beauty through the Norwich backline to leave Polter one-on-one. The first-time finish was unerring.
The Canaries dug in and set up a dramatic finale when Steven Naismith nodded home. But they couldn’t find an equaliser, leaving boss Alex Neil frustrated.
“When you’re on bad runs, decisions go against you. But we should be doing better,” he said. They have been on a terrific run and it’s a tough place to come.”
Indeed, the Lilywhites had taken 13 points from 18 heading into this match but were kept in check by the visitors, who featured four changes and included 18-year-old Bright Enobakhare up front.
“He is only a baby in terms of his footballing stature, but there were things he did which were great and he gets people on their feet,” Lambert added.
“He might not play every game, but the future of this club is huge and there are a number of kids who I think, just looking at them for a short time, are as good as I have seen for many a year.”
At the other end of the field, Kortney Hause was outstanding but for a late blemish that resulted in Jordan Hugill firing over the top with the goal at his mercy.
That was let-off, but the final whistle sounded seconds later to provide Wolves with a first clean sheet in more than two months and Possession Shots On Target Shots Off Target Blocked Shots Corners Fouls Conceded Offsides Yellow Cards Red Cards 53% 47% 2 1 6 4 2 1 4 4 11 11 0 2 4 4 0 0 Possession Shots On Target Shots Off Target Blocked Shots Corners Fouls Conceded Offsides Yellow Cards Red Cards 58% 42% 5 1 6 4 5 4 9 5 13 7 2 2 1 3 0 1 only a third point in eight matches.
“This match was not going to be top of the Christmas list, but with a new manager in we knew how they were going to play,” said Preston manager Simon Grayson, whose team sit three points off the play-off places.
“They stopped our key players performing. It was a tight game and there were not many chances.”