Premier League, Stamford Bridge – Chelsea 0 QPR 1 (Wright-Phillips 78)
Shaun Wright-Phillips returned to haunt Chelsea as the Premier League’s bottom side QPR pulled off a sensational 1-0 shock win at Stamford Bridge.
The winger, a first-half substitute for the injured Junior Hoilett,
smashed a low strike into the far corner on 78 minutes to stun the
Blues.
Rafael Benitez rotated his squad against the Premier League’s bottom side with Marko Marin making his first league start for Chelsea as Juan Mata and Eden Hazard were left on the bench.
He lived to regret it in a lacklustre first half. Either of the two
rested players could have been key to unlocking a resolute Rangers
defence as Marin struggled to impress and Frank Lampard was unable to
get forward past the banks of red shirts.
Indeed Marin was lucky to feature beyond the fourth minute. Having
lost control of the ball as he came inside from the right, he lunged in
on the shin of Stephane Mbia with his studs up. Referee Lee Mason took
an exceptionally sympathetic view of the incident in only issuing a
yellow card.
Ryan Nelsen and Clint Hill were giants in dealing with Chelsea’s
crosses, but QPR midfield general Shaun Derry was fortunate to not be
booked at least once despite grabbing first Marin then Oscar round the
neck as they attacked in separate incidents.
Harry Redknapp had brought Derry back in following the 3-0 home loss
to Liverpool and also recalled Fabio, Esteban Granero and Hoilett, with
Djibril Cisse and Wright-Phillips dropped to the bench and Armand Traore
and Samba Diakite left out of the matchday squad altogether.
Hoilett limped out after a quarter of an hour with Wright-Phillips
replacing him, but the former Chelsea star could not make an impact on
the break as his side lacked confidence on the ball.
More to follow
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