Queens Park Rangers
Derby send Sheffield Wednesday down, Hammers target bags second successive treble
Derby County narrowly avoided relegation on a dramatic final day in the Championship. The Rams twice came from behind to secure a 3-3 draw against Sheffield Wednesday at Pride Park to escape the drop at the expense of their opponents. Martyn Waghorn (2) and Patrick Roberts were on target for Derby, while Sam Hutchinson, Callum Paterson and Julian Borner replied for the visitors. Rotherham United were on course to survive after Lewis Wing put them ahead at Cardiff City, but Marlon Pack’s late strike sent them tumbling back into League One after just one season. Wycombe Wanderers also made an immediate return to the third tier despite recording a 3-0 victory at Middlesbrough – Fred Onyedinma, Garath McCleary and Jason McCarthy got the goals. At the other end of the table, the line-up for the...
West Ham join Arsenal and two other PL teams in race for goalkeeper
West Ham United have been linked with a move for Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Seny Dieng, as reported by the Sun (via West London Sport). Dieng came to QPR back in 2016, but it was not until this season before he made his breakthrough at the club. He has spent the best part of the last five years out on loan, appearing for Whitehawk, Hampton & Richmond Borough, Stevenage, Dundee and Doncaster Rovers. Dieng claims a cross in QPR’s win over Sheffield Wednesday However, following a difficult season for regular number one Joe Lumley, Dieng got his chance in the Rs’ starting XI and has been a revelation. His performances have earned him a call up to the Senegalese national team, and he is one of the leading candidates for QPR’s Player of the Season award. In January, reports claimed that ...
10 former Manchester United players who went into management
For 26 years, Manchester United were managed by one of, if not the greatest coach to ever touch the game. Sir Alex Ferguson guided the Red Devils to 13 league titles, two Champions Leagues, and many other domestic trophies. You’d think that those who played under him would have picked up a thing or two from his tutelage, and gone on to be successful managers themselves. Well, football isn’t always that simple. Wayne Rooney is the latest of Fergie’s disciples to take the leap into management, taking charge at Derby County. How will he fare? I guess we’ll find out. But here is how other former Man Utd players have done during their managerial days. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Solskjaer is currently in charge at Manchester United Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over at Old Trafford during a turbulent spel...
Four Championship clubs chasing QPR’s Ilias Chair
Queens Park Rangers midfielder Ilias Chair is reportedly the subject of interest from four of the Championship’s current top six. QPR have not had the best of seasons so far, sitting just two points above the relegation zone. In spite of this, Chair has impressed, scoring five goals and creating the third most chances in the division. Chair celebrates after hitting a beauty against Millwall This form has attracted attention from some of the league’s most high-flying clubs, with the Sun on Sunday (via the72.co.uk) reporting that Bournemouth, Brentford, Reading and Watford are all hoping to land the Moroccan this January transfer window. All four teams make up the Championship’s play-off line-up as it stands, and they will all be looking for reinforcements to strengthen their claim for an au...
Report: Queens Park Rangers in advanced talks to sign West Bromwich Albion star
Queens Park Rangers are in advanced negotiations to sign former striker Charlie Austin on loan from West Bromwich Albion for the season. Austin bagged 10 goals during the Baggies’ promotion from the Championship last season, but he has not been able to make his mark this term. The 31-year-old has been restricted to only five Premier League appearances, all of which have come from the substitutes’ bench. According to Sky Sports reporter Mark McAdam, Rangers are in advanced talks with the Baggies over a loan deal for Austin, who played for them between 2013 and 2016. Austin was a huge hit during his time at the west London side with 47 goals and 11 assists from just 89 appearances in all competitions. He is no longer at the prime of his career, but his return could bring about a change of fo...
6 FA Cup games to watch this weekend
The third round of the FA Cup is upon us, and there are plenty of reasons to be excited. The big boys have entered the pot, giving us some tasty fixtures and several potential upsets. Here are some games that might be worth keeping an eye out for this weekend. Aston Villa vs Liverpool (Friday, January 8, 19:45) Villa hoping to upset the odds against Liverpool Aston Villa welcome champions Liverpool to Villa Park on Friday night, in one of three all-Premier League ties. On the surface, the visitors will seem like the favourites. However, Jurgen Klopp’s men aren’t in the greatest form right now, picking up just two points from their last three outings. Furthermore, the Reds have lost their last two visits to Villa Park by an aggregate score of 12-2. Although, in fairness, they were playing t...
Glenn Murray set for QPR loan move
Brighton and Hove Albion striker Glenn Murray is on the verge of a move to Queens Park Rangers, as reported by the Athletic. Murray has spent the season on loan at Watford, where he has found regular game time hard to come by. He has played just 110 minutes for the Hornets this campaign, starting once and failing to find the net. Glenn Murray making a rare appearance for Watford Watford, who are currently sixth in the Championship, are willing to cut Murray’s loan deal short as long as he does not go to another potential promotion rival. Brighton are also happy to sanction a deal on the condition that they receive the same financial agreement that they previously had with Watford. And now it seems as if an agreeable deal has come along, as the Athletic report that QPR are ready to take the...
The Best Late Goals in Football
Scoring a late goal is undoubtedly one of the most thrilling parts of football – unless you happen to be on the receiving end! The sport’s history is littered with late goals that have helped teams win trophies, clinch promotion, avoid relegation or get one over their closest rivals. As none of the Sportslens team can remember much further back than the 1970s, we take a look at some of the best late goals of the past five decades. Michael Thomas vs Arsenal (1989) Arsenal travelled to Liverpool on the final day of the 1988/89 season needing to win by two clear goals to pip the Merseyside outfit to the title. Leading 1-0 with just seconds to play, Michael Thomas broke free of Liverpool’s defence to fire home and secure top spot for the Gunners. The look of abject horror in the home ranks mer...
Eberechi Eze makes PFA Championship Team of the Year
Crystal Palace new signing Eberechi Eze has been included in the PFA Championship Team of the Year. The PFA made the announcement which was published on their verified Twitter handle on Tuesday. Eze’s inclusion is due to his impressive performance for former club Queens Park Rangers last season. The 22-year-old scored 13 goals and provided eight assists in 45 Championship appearances for QPR. He was voted QPRs Players’ Player of the Year, the Supporters’ Player of the Year and the club Player of the Year. The PFA Championship Team of the Year was dominated by newly promoted Leeds United who have four players: Luke Ayling, Ben White, Liam Cooper and Kalvin Philips. Other players in the list are Brice Samba of Nottingham Forest, West Bromwich Albion’s Romaine Sawyers, Aleksandar Mitrovic and...
Premier League set to reject requests to postpone games due to Covid outbreaks
Premier League officials are set to reject requests to postpone games in the event of Covid outbreaks amongst top-flight sides, with clubs required to fulfil fixtures unless they have fewer than 14 players available. The 2020/21 season is set to begin this weekend with the division’s authorities determined to finish the rescheduled and congested campaign on time ahead of next summer’s European Championships, with clubs having been informed that fixtures will need to be fulfilled even in the event of significant coronavirus outbreaks amongst top-flight squads. According to the Mail, Premier League clubs will be required to fulfil fixtures unless they have less than 14 players available for selection, including U21 players, who they will be obliged to play in the event of such circumstances....
Super Eagles prospect shines in Crystal Palace win
Ebere Eze made his debut for Crystal Palace during a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Charlton in preseason friendly. The former Queens Park Rangers (QPR) player who made a big-money move to Selhurst this summer played for 45 minutes in the encounter and was brilliant throughout his stay at the club. Eze presence in midfield showed why the club doled out 20 million pounds for his services. The player who is eligible to play for England and Nigeria fired a shot wide from 20 yards after making space for himself. He set up Andros Townsend who tried an overhead-kick at goal but it was blocked before Jordan Ayew hit the post as the first half ended goalless. Eze made way for Jeffrey Schlupp at the start of the second half. However, Ghanaian Jordan Ayew opened scoring from a pass by former Manches...
Relegated Premier League sides get fixtures as 2020-21 Championship schedule released
Bournemouth will start life back in the Championship at home to Blackburn Rovers, while Watford host Middlesbrough and Norwich City travel to Huddersfield Town. The Cherries were relegated after a five-year stay in the Premier League, while Watford and Norwich were also demoted in a top-flight campaign that was disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. That halt means the new Championship season starts on September 12, with beaten play-off finalists Brentford travelling to Birmingham City on the opening day, while south Wales rivals Cardiff City and Swansea City – who also made the top six – host Sheffield Wednesday and visit Preston North End respectively. Wycombe Wanderers – playing in the second tier for the first time – welcome fellow new boys Rotherham United for their first game, while ...
