DEADLY EZE SPOT ON FOR SUPER HOOPS
MANAGER Mark Warburton believes there is much more to come from Ebere Eze after he played a starring role in QPR’s thrilling victory at Hull.
Eze earned, and then scored, two second-half penalties for the visitors to lift Rangers into the play-off places.
But the 21-year-old’s two goals were supplemented by an impressive display from the outset – with his surging, deep run to earn QPR’s first penalty the high point.
Warburton said: “He’s a very talented player and he’s a great character.
“But he’s a young player and he’s got loads of potential and development left in him.
“He’s got loads of work to do to realise that potential.
“He’s the type of player that will score outstanding goals for you and create goals for you.
“He was very, very good in the second half. I was delighted for him – he was outstanding – but it’s about the team.”
QPR were much the better side for long periods, but they had to do it the hard way when Jarrod Bowen’s lovely halfvolley put Hull in front after 21 minutes.
But once Ryan Manning equalised 60 seconds before half-time an away victory felt inevitable.
Eze’s penalty double looked to have made the game safe but Hull substitute Josh Magennis scored in injury-time to make it 3-2 and spark a nervy end.
Warburton said: “I felt, very respectfully, it was a fully justified victory.
“We know the threat and quality within the ranks of Hull – they are so dangerous in what they do – so we had to be at our best.”
Eze earned his first spot-kick when his bustling run from deep was carelessly ended by Eric Lichaj.
Eze coolly put goalkeeper George Long on his backside before he tapped into an empty goal to make it 2-1.
With two minutes of normal time remaining, Eze then won another penalty – Kevin Stewart was lured into a clumsy challenge – which was converted with similar composure.
Hull had taken the lead when Long’s searching ball was at headed on towards Bowen by Tom Eaves. The winger’s first touch with his chest was excellent. And his raking, left-footed strike from outside the penalty area was even better.
Just when it felt like the hosts would press on, Manning equalised. Eze’s free-kick was well saved by Long but, from the resulting corner, Manning hit a curling strike from 10 yards into the bottom-right corner. Ilias Chair was not too far away when his powerful drive ably tipped over.
Eze then teed up Chair again, but Callum Elder intervened with a superb challenge.
Nahki Wells could have won the game himself but he blazed a seemingly open goal over before Eze made his decisive interventions.
Tigers boss Grant McCann accepted Hull had been second best. He said: “Second half, I thought we were disappointing.
“I don’t think we kept the ball well enough – probably for most of the game, really.
“We kept turning the ball over too quickly and that gave them a foothold in the game and didn’t give us a chance.
“We know we were nowhere near where we can be. We didn’t get going.”