West Bromwich Albion 5-1 QPR
By Jemma Tappenden
October 5 2007
After the disappointment of a midweek defeat to Cardiff in the League Cup, Albion were looking for an immediate return to form at home to QPR. Ticket offers from the club ensured a near on packed house, as Albion looked to keep their 100% home record in the League this season.
Mowbray made several changes to the team that fell foul of Cardiff midweek. Barnett, Robinson and Hoefkens returned to join Albrechtsen in the more familiar look Baggies back line. Greening and Koren returned to the centre of midfield and favourites Miller and Phillips started up front.
It was clear within the first few minutes that Albion would be given the freedom they have been accustomed to, bottom of the table QPR looked set to be happy with a point from the outset.
Albion’s first real chance came in the 8th minute, Miller outwitted QPR defender Danny Cullip and placed the perfect cross to Kevin Phillips, who in turn was denied by a super save from Rangers keeper Camp. There then followed a period of serious pressure from Albion, Phillips this time turning provider for Miller, whose shot was deflected behind for a corner. A fierce corner allowed Phillips two chances, his second rebounded from the first however placed over the bar. It did not take much longer for Albion to break the deadlock however, Miller showing another superb display of strength to allow Phillips in on goal, who placed perfectly from two yards to make it 1-0 to the Baggies.
Albion fans had barely sat down in celebration from the first when the second arrived. Teixeira this time providing for Phillips, who unselfishly lay off to Miller to make it 2-0. The Baggies were flying high when they were momentarily bought down to earth by a QPR goal.
In the 24th minute, against the run of play A Rowlands free kick allowed highly rated Dexter Blackstock to flick on to Ainsworth who headed in at the back post. The goal revived QPR momentarily, allowing them to enjoy what was easily their best spell of the game. But chances for the visitors were really few and far between, and Albion soon regained the pace they had started with.
Barnett nearly made it 3 for the Baggies, connecting well with a Greening corner only to see his chance cleared off the line by a desperate Rangers defence. A third goal did arrive in the 39th minute, Phillips, playing his 50th game for Albion bagged himself a second with a stunning shot which left the QPR goalie with no chance and bought the Hawthorns to its feet for the third time.
Half Time: West Bromwich Albion 3-1 Queens Park Rangers
The first talking point of the second half was promptly provided by QPR manager John Gregory, who booted the ball away in frustration as his side failed to break down a tight Albion defence. This was greeted by a loud sarcastic applause from Baggies fans who quickly followed with chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning”. Clearly the crystal ball was in good working order, as they were proved right when news broke on Monday morning that Gregory had in fact departed Loftus Road.
Morrison came close to grabbing a 4th in the 50th minute, but was denied by yet more superb goalkeeping. It soon arrived however, Robert Koren picking up a lose ball to volley into the top left hand corner.
The fourth goal saw Albion relax even more, and they really began to look like they were enjoying their football. The fans were clearly loving it, and in the 65th minute they were rewarded with a 5th goal. Greening burying the ball into the bottom left corner with a ferocious shot. It proved to be the last of the afternoon, although the rest of the game followed suit with Albion looking like the only one of the two sides to add to the scoreline.
Full Time: West Bromwich Albion 5-1 Queens Park Rangers
Phillips (17, 39)
Miller (18)
Koren (57)
Greening (65)
Ainsworth (24)
Attendance: 24,757