Austin lifts QPR off the bottom
IF QUEENS Park Rangers do defy all odds and expectations and stay in the Premier League for another season, the goals of Charlie Austin will have been truly priceless.
The in-form striker extended his scoring streak to five in five and his season’s tally to seven as Rangers moved off the bottom with an immensely valuable win over Leicester City.
Austin pounced with a quarter-hour left at Loftus Road, stooping to direct a header beyond Kasper Schmeichel following a manic goalmouth scramble to settle a thrill-a-minute basement battle of 51 chances.
Their place in 20th was taken by Leicester, who failed to take enough of their openings or capitalise on a fourth-minute lead.
‘It was an open, attacking game — an excellent game with both teams going for it,’ said Harry Redknapp. ‘We went one down in the first five minutes and it was their first goal for a while; they’re a dangerous team on the counter.
‘We could have felt sorry for ourselves but we didn’t. We came back and made lots of chances. It was an excellent performance with a lot of pressure on the game today.’
Leicester’s opener was indeed their first in a while — 504 minutes to be precise — and it arrived when Jeffrey Schlupp fed the ball to Leonardo Ulloa, who nudged it inside to the onrushing Esteban Cambiasso. The veteran Argentinian rolled the ball in expertly off the post, evading Rob Green’s outstretched arm.
Leicester, who had not won in London in 16 attempts, continued to create chances despite QPR bossing possession. Jamie Vardy fluffed his lines when clean through, while Riyad Mahrez fired wide when well-placed.
Gradually, QPR asserted themselves and drew level on 37 minutes, Christmas may be a month away but this goal came giftwrapped by Wes Morgan, who bundled Steven Caulker’s cross into his own net.
His manager Nigel Pearson described it as ‘unfortunate’ and it gave QPR the upper hand.
By half-time, the hosts had the lead. Joey Barton swung in a cross from the right, Austin launched a header that Schmeichel beat out and Leroy Fer was in the right place to smash home the rebound, his first for the club.
The game swung in the balance for much of the second-half and Austin was twice denied by Schmeichel before Leicester grabbed an equaliser.
Schlupp was fouled on the edge of the box but referee Roger East played a good advantage. From a subsequent cross, Marc Albrighton blasted his shot against a defender but it fell kindly to Schlupp who found the corner with a crisp left-foot strike.
Rangers’ response was magnificent and after Fer’s header had been clawed over the bar by Schmeichel, Austin scored from the corner to seal the win.
Pearson said: ‘I feel for the players today because in terms of an attacking unit, we were very good at times. Our goals were the two hardest chances. We were very positive, created chances but still couldn’t win the game.’