For Queens Park Rangers, it was the first game under Harry Redknapp. During the week, Redknapp underlined the importance of the player’s work ethic and said: “If people aren’t willing to work hard, they have no part to play. If they lose the ball, they should chase it, work, run about.” Sunderland on the other side, wanted to move away from the relegation spots. Manager Martin O’Neill was under huge pressure this week with rumours about his departure.
However, QPR showed a much improved performance straight from the beginning and Cisse had 3 major chances to score the lead in the first half, but both were saved by Sunderland keeper Simon Mignolet. Sunderland, however, created there chances through Adam Johnson in the first half who wasn’t able to finish against Cesar. Stephane Mbia almost scored for QPR in the second half after a 25-yard drive. However, the game finished 0:0.
Harry Redknapp seemed relieved and impressed about his first game and admitted that “they [QPR] worked there socks off.” Especially his midfield is one that “you wouldn’t like to play against“.
Nevertheless, QPR remains bottom of the table with only 5 points. QPR is only the 9th team in the history of the Premier League that couldn’t win any of their first 14 games, however, QPR ended a run of 23 games without a clean sheet.
