Bobby’s great £130M robbery
LATE ZAM SLAM STRIKES IT RICH FOR 10-MAN HOOPS
BOBBY ZAMORA was a robbing hero as his dramatic last- gasp winner sent QPR back to the top flight after one year of misery. The veteran striker has been more miss than hit of late, but he struck when it mattered as Rangers mugged Derby after being totally outplayed.
The Hoops had to play the last half- hour with 10 men after Gary O’Neil was red carded – but stunning displays from Rob Green and Richard Dunne kept them in the play- off final.
Steve McClaren returned to Wembley for the first time since the “wally with the brolly” moment with England – but emerged without an umbrella when leading his Derby side out in pouring rain.
But this game did not rain goals as both sides struggled to produce their best football in a lacklustre first half.
QPR top scorer Charlie Austin saw a 25- yard snapshot sail over the bar early in the contest, while Craig Forsyth saw a header from Jamie Ward’s cross go just over at the other end.
The major flashpoint of the half came when Derby youngster Will Hughes claimed a penalty.
Deflected
Hughes was surprisingly selected ahead of midfielder Craig Bryson and claimed he was fouled by Dunne, though TV replays hinted at minimal contact.
Rangers weren’t helped by injury to Niko Kranjcar, replaced by Armand Traore on 33 minutes.
Hughes was just off target with an effort, while Johnny Russell saw a shot deflected straight at Green.
Jamie Ward’s 35- yard free- kick eluded everyone, with Green forced to parry the ball around the post.
Harry Redknapp’s side wasted a golden chance early in the second half when Traore’s cross was perfect for Austin.
But the striker somehow sliced his shot wide from
level with the penalty spot before putting his head in his hands.
Then referee Lee Mason stepped into the spotlight on the hour when Russell was brought down by Gary O’Neil on the edge of the Hoops’ penalty area.
After a long chat with linesman Darren England, Mason pulled out the red card.
No complaints from the midfielder told its own story as he headed straight down the tunnel.
But Derby simply could not break down Redknapp’s defensive warriors, with former England keeper Green in the kind of form that suggests he could still do a job for his country.
Rescue
Bryson forced him into an immediate save, and the 34- year- old came to his side’s rescue again with an even better stop to deny Chris Martin.
Simon Dawkins was thwarted at close range by Green from Bryson’s pass before Ward’s effort deflected wide via Martin.
Extra time appeared to be looming but QPR, who had offered nothing in attack since the sending- off, incredibly got the winner.
Jake Buxton lost the ball in the left- back slot but Junior Hoilett’s cross was straight at Richard Keogh.
But the Derby centreback failed to clear, instead passing the ball straight to Zamora.
And the Rangers sub made no mistake, curling a shot into the corner.