Team: Green, Simpson, Dunne, Hill (Suk-Young), Onuoha, O’Neil (Morrison), Barton, Kranjcar, Hoilett, Doyle (Zamora), Austin.
Subs Not Used: Murphy, Hughes, Henry, Benayoun.
Attendance: 17,061 (including 1,237 Wigan fans)
Monday night will go down as one of the great nights at Loftus Road, but what will stay with me forever is seeing the sheer joy on the face of my son and grandson on the final whistle knowing that we are going to Wemberlee.
We have had some dross in the middle this season but I witnessed the best performance by a ref at HQ in years. Mr Clattenburg, I salute you.
I love you Rangers and Monday night is why I do.
W12 Boy
Fantastic result, stuff that where the sun don’t shine Hinchcliffe you mug! What is it with the main stream media and our beloved football club?
Each and every one of them hoping that we would fail (well we bloody didn’t did we). Not one word of grudging praise from Uwe Rosler, Derby just have to turn up at Wembley to win etc etc.
Well we are QPR, say we are QPR. Bring it on you mugs, one and all and let battle commence.
You R’sssssss
Bill Elkins
Queen’s Park Rangers’ season was over with 20 minutes of normal time remaining but the night ended with Tony Fernandes’ name reverberating round Loftus Road and supporters pouring on to the pitch.
Rangers, dead and buried at one point during a pulsating play-off second leg, came from behind to deny Wigan Athletic another day out at Wembley and secure their place in the lucrative Championship decider against Derby County a week on Saturday.
The mood turned from despondency to delight following a frantic late surge by Harry Redknapp’s side, who are in with a shot at Premier League redemption at the first time of asking.
Fernandes, the QPR owner, was dancing in the stands after Charlie Austin scored his second of the night in the sixth minute of extra-time. His relief was clear, following a somewhat disappointing campaign given the significant money spent on the playing squad. Austin had nipped in front of his marker to poke the ball past Scott Carson, adding to his earlier penalty and in the process overturning James Perch’s opener.
Redknapp said: “It was always going to be a tight game, a tough night. I thought we showed fantastic character. We’ve got a final to look forward to now. It was an excellent performance. Charlie has been very important to us. I’m looking forward to going back there (to Wembley) for the owners, for the fans, it will be great. That’s what matters.”
QPR, who will be re-united with the Derby manager, Steve McClaren, who was employed as a coach by the club earlier in the season, started poorly and by the time they had found their rhythm Wigan were in front. Uwe Rosler’s side scored in the ninth minute. Perch steering in from close range after the referee, Mark Clattenburg, played a good advantage.
The move began with Rob Kiernan in defence and ended with James McClean delivering a dangerous cross from the left, making the finish from Perch simple, the midfielder escaping the challenge from Clint Hill and guiding the ball home.
Wigan then enjoyed a period of dominance and Rangers were fortunate not to be punished further when O’Neil, who lost a tooth in an earlier challenge, dawdled on the ball and played a short back-pass to Rob Green that McClean touched away from the goalkeeper before tumbling to the turf. However, it was the most blatant of dives and the attacker was
rightly booked.
Shaun Maloney had a shot well saved before QPR were shaken from their slumber, equalising through Austin’s penalty on 73 minutes after Hoilett had jinked inside and been brought down rashly on the edge of the area by Gary Caldwell.
Rosler said: “We gave it all, the players squeezed out every little drop they had. They got the momentum that overpowered us. But we had some good chances, in extra-time we looked the stronger side.”
QPR were in the ascendancy, with Bobby Zamora capitalising on some hesitant defending before lifting the ball on to the roof of the net in the dying minutes.
In extra-time Austin struck to lift the roof off Loftus Road, following an excellent cross from Zamora, and send Rangers to Wembley, for the first time in 28 years.
James Riach – The Guardian
Some of my memories from Monday night – THAT rain about an hour before kick-off.
Richard Irland being presented with his ‘Supporter of the Year trophy by Paul Furlong and Kevin Gallen.
And seeing all three Gallen brothers in different parts of the South Africa Road Stand. Steve Gallen telling everyone within earshot that there was nothing to worry about at half-time.
The blocks either side of the Director’s Box standing as one to applaud Tony Fernandes with about six minutes of extra time remaining. I thought it was tempting fate but it was a lovely gesture.
The sheer look of pleasure (and no doubt relief) on Tony Fernandes, Amit Bhatia and Lakshmi Mittal at the end, they were celebrating like the true fans they are.
Shaking hands with Mark Devlin after the game who was ‘over the moon’.
Speaking to both Andy Sinton and Wayne Fereday who genuinely looked really excited at the final whistle, and having a picture taken with both as well.
Harry Redknapp getting his substitutions bang on the money and actually being involved on the touchline for once.
Yun Suk-Young could become a QPR hero.
Cometh the hour, cometh THE man, Charlie Austin; ‘Fans Player of the Year’, ‘Players Player of the Year’, ‘Goal of the Season’ – is there anything he can’t do? X Factor? Mastermind? Elvis impersonations?
Also the team hug before extra time and another one at half-time in extra time. Whatever was said, it did the trick.
Clint Hill urging the fans to get behind the team before extra time started, a rallying call that was reciprocated in the stands.
Lastly Rob Green’s wonder save when one-on-one when it 0-1 and the follow-up hitting the post. THE turning point.
Monday night was special, and then some. What a pleasure to be there. It was never in
doubt was it???
ChrisPTenner
I will never forget Monday night, the players, the fans and the Director’s coming as one. There were times when all four sides of the ground were singing in unison.
And not forgetting the moment of course when Richard received his well-deserved ‘Fan of the Season’ award from Kevin Gallen and Paul Furlong,
There was that moment at the Loft End when all eyes immediately turned towards Mark Clattenburg to confirm whether or not he was in fact going to wave a yellow card to the cheating James McClean!
So many memories but what about Bobby Zamora! That audacious lob that landed on the roof of the net whilst surrounded by three Wigan defenders, if only, but absolutely wonderful!!!
Harry Redknapp said: “The suit is soaked, but it was worth it. It was a good night and you have to enjoy it. We’ve now got a final to look forward to. It will be great for the owners and fans and players and that is all that matters to me. I would love to see them back in the Premier League.”
“The fans drove us on, the players drove us on and it was an excellent performance. We kept going, they competed with their lives.”
”
Steve McClaren is an excellent coach and Derby are a sharp, bright team. There is not much between us and Derby. That will be another difficult match.”
“We’re the Famous Queen’s Park Rangers and We’re Going to Wemberlee”
Steve Russell
A heroic performance by the team on rainy night I was in ellerslie road non stop singing we gave it all and the team responded wemberglee here we come.
Wanted to take me grandson but cannot due to outrages way tickets issued for members, yes I can buy two tickets on separate days but cannot sit together also he is diabetic and has mild autism so could not leave him on his own very sad, so much for the family image from club.
I will be there shouting me head off though come on you r’s