Royals crash at 10-man QPR
Anthony Smith • Published 6 Nov 2010 18:00
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READING suffered a 3-1 defeat at 10-man Queens Park Rangers as the hoops derby bragging rights stayed in west London.
Brian McDermott's side had a disappointing off day and could not match Rangers' physical approach, even though they had a one-man advantage for the entire second-half.
Neil Warnock's hosts wasted several chances before Adel Taarabt's 26th minute penalty put them in front.
And though Bradley Orr saw red a minute before the break Alejandro Faurlin doubled their lead on the hour mark.
Shane Long pulled one back for Reading with cracker from outside the box in the 67th minute, but Tommy Smith made it 3-1 just three minutes later to preserve Rangers' unbeaten record in the Championship.
It ended Reading's two-match winning run, and they have now conceded three goals in their last two games.
That didn't matter last week as they stormed back to beat Doncaster Rovers 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller at the Madejski Stadium.
But there were no heroics at Loftus Road against arguably the best defence in the division..
McDermott named an unchanged side but Royals were lucky to stay on level terms when Rob Hulse missed an open goal after a screamer from Faurlin's crashed against the crossbar.
But Royals' looked far from confident in defence and they should have been punished when former transfer target Tommy Smith failed to convert a tap-in and Hulse headed wide from a good position.
Yet McDermott's me failed to heed the warning and did fall behind to Taarabat's 26th minute penalty.
The Moroccon star ghosted past Andy Griffin and Jem Karacan before he was clipped in the box by Brian Howard.
Referee Steve Tanner pointed to the spot and Taraabt audaciously dinked the ball over Adam Federici to give his side the lead.
The former Spurs trickster is not particularly liked in Berkshire anyway after appearing to showboat in last year's 4-1 defeat at Loftus Road.
But on this occasion it was too easy for him as his mazy run went almost unchallenged.
It had been a physical contest from the first whistle and it threatened to boil over when Mills clashed with Taaraabt, earning both a booking.
And a minute before the interval Orr was shown a straight red for a shocking over-the-top challenge on Hal Robson-Kanu.
In truth, Royals were fortunate to be only one goal behind. However, the complexion of the game had suddenly changed and after the restart they were quickly out of the blocks with former Rangers man Jobi McAnuff testing Paddy Kenny in goal.
But they rarely troubled Rangers and soon paid the price when Warnock's side doubled their lead.
Jamie Mackie burst down the right only for Mills to make a hash of his clearance which fell straight to Faurlin who netted from 12 yards.
It was following a similar theme to last season which Rangers won easily despite playing with 10 men for the last hour.
This time, though, Reading gave themselves a lifeline when Long's smashed one past Kenny from 25-yards to make it 2-1 in the 67th minute.
Sadly, Royals hopes were shattered again just three minutes later when their defence switch off allowing Smith to tap home after Federici had parried Taarabt's free-kick.
It was the first goal Rangers had conceded at home in open play all-season, and it was easy to see why.
The visitors refused to give in but, when substitute Simon Church blazed over and Howard's shot was saved by Kenny, their chance had gone.
Royals know they must tighten up at the back to stand any chance of beating Cardiff City and Craig Bellamy at the Mad Stad on Wednesday (8pm ko).
QPR: Kenny - Walker, Gorkss, Faurlin, Orr, Derry, Taarabt (Agyemang 80) , Connolly, Hulse (Clarke 81), Smith (Ephraim 90), Mackie. Subs not used: Cerny, Leigertwood, Rowlands, Parker.
Yellow cards: Derry, Clarke 87.
Red cards: Orr 44.
Reading: Federici - Griffin, Mills ©, Khizanishvili, Harte - McAnuff, Karacan (Church 62), Howard, Robson-Kanu (Hunt 70) - Tabb (Antonio ) - Long. Subs not used: McCarthy, Cummings, Armstrong, Pearce.
Yellow cards: Mills, Karacan.
Referee: Steve Tanner (Wilts).
Attendance: 15,692 (Reading 2,461).
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 06 Nov 10
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