Controversy surrounded Albion's ultimate
winner, with Rob Green claiming Marc-Antoine Fortune had backed into him as he
reached for the ball. Djibril Cisse had pulled one back after Chris Brunt
opened the scoring in the first half.
Green continued in goal for Rangers, after
Julio Cesar was not deemed fit enough to return. A well publicised disagreement
between Harry Redknapp and Jose Bosingwa during the week prompted the manager
to fill the right back role with youngster Fabio da Silva.
Youssouf Mulumbu came straight back in
after his suspension in the place of Graham Dorrans, while Marc-Antoine Fortune
replaced Peter Odemwingie on the wing, both players dropping to the bench.
Romelu Lukaku started ahead of Shane Long once again.
Stephane M'Bia went close with a long rage
shot early on, but Albion started the match the brighter, Mulumbu seeing a lot
of the ball in the middle. Boxing day sales in the area and lengthy traffic
forced officials to delay the kick off by 15 minutes.
The much talked about Adel Taarabt, who had
found out before the game he wouldn't be representing Morocco in the Africa Cup
of Nations, tested Foster from distance and the goalkeeper did well to get down
and concede the corner.
The Baggies weren't able to create too much
in the way of a chance, but they looked tidy as the Hoops' defence held firm.
Mulumbu did well to lay the ball off to Zoltan Gera, who rushed his shot and
fired his first time effort well wide.
Up the other end, Shaun Wright-Phillips
caused havoc down the left, sneaking past Billy Jones and crossing for Jamie
Mackie, who should maybe have done better with his header.
Albion made their early dominance count by
taking the lead in the 29th minute. Fortune cut inside from the right and laid
the ball off to Chris Brunt. The captain unleashed a fierce, low drive from 25
yards beyond Green, his first of the season.
QPR replied immediately with another M'Bia
strike, which Foster dealt with again. Mackie then robbed Popov on the far
side, but McAuley's header behind spared the Macedonian's blushes. Popov had
been claiming a foul and had to be substituted for Liam Ridgewell.
Taarabt whistled a free kick just wide of
the post with Foster rooted, while Clint Hill headed a corner just wide after
Mackie's persistence had earned the set piece initially.
Albion ended the half slightly more on top,
as Morrison (with help from Lukaku) shrugged off a number of challenges but his
shot just beat Green's post.
H-T: 0-1
Whatever Redknapp had said at half time had
taken effect, as pressure ensued on the visitors' box, Taarabt's free kick
headed wide of goal by the dangerous M'Bia.
This pressure faded, and Albion took
advantage, but questions will be asked about the legality of the goal.
Continuous pressure involving Mulumbu and Jones resulted in a corner, and
Brunt's kick was headed towards goal by Olsson. Green then proceeded to carry
the ball into the net under pressure from Fortune. Comparisons were immediately
made between this incident and that involving Victor Anichebe and Jussi
Jaaskelainen when Everton met West Ham on Saturday, which resulted in a free
kick to the goalkeeper.
This dented the Hoops' rhythm, and Albion
threatened to score further goals. Fantastic football was played in the middle
between midfielders Mulumbu and Morrison before Green thwarted Lukaku.
Morrison's cross across the box a few seconds later was dangerous, but Lukaku
couldn't reach it.
Green was on hand to prevent Belgian loanee
Lukaku on the break following a splendid ball from Brunt, but Rangers were
allowed back in on 68. A quick free kick allowed sub Samba Diakite to run at
the defence, before the midfielder slipped the ball through to Cisse, who
chipped over the onrushing Foster.
Rather than constant pressure from the
hosts, the game opened up and the play was instantly more exciting. Green
claimed the ball before the hard working Lukaku could get a shot in, while
Fortune finished brilliantly only to see the offside flag go up.
The home side had a big shout against Liam
Ridgewell for handball in the penalty area, which was waved away by Chris Foy,
although on second glance there was substance to the appeal.
Foster produced a
wonder save to deny Hill's header late on, and Albion rode out the consummate
pressure and series of corners to claim back to back victories.
Match ratings: QPR- Green 6, Fabio 6
(Hoilett 5), Hill 7, Ferdinand 6, Traore 6, Faurlin 6 (Diakite 5), M'Bia 6,
Wright-Phillips 6, Mackie 6, Taarabt 7, Cisse 6
WBA- Foster 7, Jones 7, McAuley 7, Olsson
7, Popov 5 (Ridgewell 5), Mulumbu 7, Morrison (Tamas 85) 8, Brunt 6, Gera 6,
Fortune 7, Lukaku 6 (Long 5)
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