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QPR
QPR
1 vs 0
Played
April 21, 2012 5:30 PM BST
Loftus Road Stadium — London
Referee:‬ M. Clattenburg‎
Attendance:‬ 18021‎
 
24′ Adel Taarabt
 
   
 
 

Player Ratings: QPR 1-0 Tottenham

The Hoops record their fourth win on the bounce at home as an Adel Taarabt free-kick proves decisive against Harry Redknapp's stuttering Champions League chasers

By Josh Clarke at Loftus Road

  • Paddy Kenny
    19
    0
    3.50

    Paddy Kenny

    Called into action after a very quiet start to keep Gareth Bale and Rafa van der Vaart at bay in quick succession. Faced a constant barrage after that and passed the test admirably.

  • Clint Hill
    13
    0
    3.50

    Clint Hill

    Dealt comfortably with Jermain Defoe and marshalled his defense well throughout the game. Spurs' lack of invention played into his hands.

  • Taye Taiwo
    14
    1
    3.00

    Taye Taiwo

    Was equal to Kyle Walker’s effective bursts down the right but offered little threat himself.

  • Anton Ferdinand
    16
    1
    3.50

    Anton Ferdinand

    Though Spurs enjoyed the greater share of possession, their attacks often had little of their usual directness. The centre-half profited from another day Spurs failed to turn up at the races.

  • Nedum Onuoha
    7
    2
    3.00

    Nedum Onuoha

    Was aided by Gareth Bale’s first-half ineffectiveness but that will not detract from a solid and dependable performance.

  • Samba Diakité
    11
    0
    3.50

    Samba Diakité

    Scuffed an easy effort wide early on and otherwise found advanced positions on the ball extremely difficult to come by, except from his direct drives through the middle.

  • Shaun Derry
    11
    0
    3.50

    Shaun Derry

    As Tottenham’s passing machine clicked into gear, he often found himself over-run. That said, he provided a steady head in the middle of the park that helped his side deal with being constantly under the cosh.

  • Adel Taarabt
    52
    1
    3.50

    Adel Taarabt

    With Kyle Walker often bombing on and Sandro’s covering not always as diligent as it could have been, the winger often found himself in promising positions. Such space allowed him to drive at the Spurs defence, draw a foul and bend in the free-kick for the opener. Showed more intent to impress than for much of this season, until stupidly getting himself sent off with 10 minutes remaining.

  • Joey Barton
    11
    5
    3.00

    Joey Barton

    One of his quieter games though not to his detriment. Marshalled a QPR team that was full of spirit and resilience.

  • Jamie Mackie
    16
    0
    3.50

    Jamie Mackie

    A jinking run and flashed finish wide of the post gave the winger a bright start yet it was one from which he never really pushed on in a creative sense. Nevertheless put in a keen shift full of running

  • B. Zamora
    6
    5
    3.00

    B. Zamora

    Physicality gave Ledley King issues from the off but, though he held the ball up well on occasion, offered little in terms of goal-threat.

Substitutions

  • A. Buzsaky
    4
    3
    3.00

    A. Buzsaky

    Brought on to help see out the last 20 minutes, a task made even more difficult after Adel Taarabt's red card

  • Brad Friedel
    3
    7
    3.00

    Brad Friedel

    Making his 300th consecutive Premier League appearance, the goalkeeper was rather shaky. Kicking was generally poor but he should probably be given the benefit of the doubt for Taarabt’s awkwardly-pitched free-kick.

  • William Gallas
    4
    6
    2.50

    William Gallas

    A couple lax moments on the ball set the tone for a performance that felt uncertain throughout.

  • Ledley King
    4
    8
    3.00

    Ledley King

    Stayed on top of his job but momentary lapses in concentration sometimes awarded the opposition chances they didn't deserve. Looked ropey when being driven at by Samba Diakite.

  • Kyle Walker
    6
    10
    3.00

    Kyle Walker

    His dynamism down the right was one of his side’s major assets, winning free-kicks in dangerous areas, but the full-back made a couple of back post defensive errors that counter-balanced his attacking thrust.

  • Benoit Assou-Ekotto
    5
    7
    3.00

    Benoit Assou-Ekotto

    Quickly settled in to what looked like a tough afternoon against Jamie Mackie but did not step in enough to join in the play. Looked more at ease when Gareth Bale became a permanent fixture on the left flank.

  • Gareth Bale
    7
    12
    2.50

    Gareth Bale

    Roamed all over but struggled to provide a constant, or even flickering threat. Not a day he will remember.

  • Scott Parker
    4
    9
    2.50

    Scott Parker

    Saw a lot of the ball though penetration looked difficult to attain against an opposition middle three who, for spells, looked content to sit deep. Uncharacteristically lost his rag as the game drew on.

  • Rafael van der Vaart
    12
    5
    2.50

    Rafael van der Vaart

    Seemed unable to get on the ball in dangerous areas which forced him to drop into deeper and more fruitless positions.

  • Luka Modric
    18
    11
    3.00

    Luka Modric

    Initiated most of what was good about Spurs with some intelligent ghosting forward and ball use but never really stamped his authority on the game.

  • Sandro
    3
    5
    2.50

    Sandro

    Was tasked with sitting deep and to the right to account for Kyle Walker’s bursts down the flank. Withdrawn for Aaron Lennon at half-time as Spurs sought to adopt more of their usual identity.

  • Jermain Defoe
    6
    20
    2.50

    Jermain Defoe

    Headed over from Paddy Kenny’s palm out with the goal gaping. Unable to offer the focal point usually given by Emmanuel Adebayor.

Substitutions

  • Aaron Lennon
    6
    6
    0.00

    Aaron Lennon

    Brought on at half-time to bring balance and shape to the side but struggled to bring much to an out-of-sorts Spurs. Rarely got on the ball.

  • Danny Rose
    6
    4
    0.00

    Danny Rose

    Filled in for Benoit Assou-Ekotto in a like-for-like move.

  • Giovani dos Santos
    17
    7
    2.50

    Giovani dos Santos

    Added nothing to an already dire Spurs attack

Results
 
Player Ratings
Tournament
Position
Ranking
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Robin van Persie Robin van Persie
Striker
Man Utd.
26 3
Luis Suárez Luis Suárez
Striker
Liverpool
23 0
Gareth Bale Gareth Bale
Midfielder
Tottenham
21 0
C. Benteke C. Benteke
Striker
Aston Villa
19 3
Michu Michu
Midfielder
Swansea City
19 0