1 min
After 22 days without a game due to coronavirus, QPR lost further ground on their promotion rivals with a 1-0 defeat to AFC Bournemouth at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.
The visitors had a string of early chances with Junior Stanislas testing his luck a number of times in the opening period only to be denied by QPR keeper Seny Dieng.
Bournemouth forward Dominic Solanke also squandered a glorious chance on the half hour mark, skewing a free header over the bar from six-yards out.
However, Solanke did find the breakthrough four minutes before the break, meeting Stanislas’ free-kick with a bullet header.
The Cherries should then have doubled their lead in the 62nd minute when substitute Jaidon Anthony missed an open goal from just six-yards out.
In an attempt to find a way back into the encounter, QPR brought on Albert Adomah and Andre Gray but Mark Warburton’s side still struggled to fashion any real chance of note.
And the game went from bad to worse when substitute Andre Dozzell was sent-off in added time for a second-bookable offence following a scuffle between both sets of players.
Key Points
Check out all the key talking points and reaction from London Football Scene below…
Key Moment
Referee Keith Stroud’s decision to not only award a free-kick which resultantly led to the only goal of the game, but also to book Sam Field for the foul, did not sit well with QPR fans.
Moan of the Match
Andre Dozzell’s late red card will frustrate manager Mark Warburton with the squad losing vital players already to AFCON.
Talking Point
With Ilias Chair, Seny Dieng and Osman Kakay all leaving for AFCON – do QPR have the necessary depth to maintain their promotion push over the course of the next month?
Man of the Match
Dominic Solanke – caused problems all night with his strength and speed on the ball and scored the all important winner.
Tweet of the Match
Referee Watch
Keith Stroud (Hampshire) – Since officiating QPR’s League Cup loss to Sunderland, he hasn’t been a fan favourite and certainly didn’t do himself any favours here.
Atmosphere
The travelling Bournemouth fans were vibrant all night long, spurring their promotion challenging side to victory while QPR supporters were left totally frustrated.
Verdict
Mark Warburton will be disappointed with his sides first-half performance but will take confidence in their display following the second-half substitutions.
