Queens Park Rangers managed to stage a thrilling comeback against Preston North End on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at Loftus Road, securing a 2-1 victory. This win not only marks QPR's third consecutive home triumph but also extends their unbeaten streak to seven matches after various ups and downs earlier this season.
The match had its stirring moments, starting with Preston taking the lead against the run of play. Milutin Osmajic capitalized on an injury to QPR's captain Steve Cook, putting the Lilywhites up 1-0 just 21 minutes in. Cook, who was expected to clear the danger, went down grabbing his leg, which allowed Osmajic to slot the ball past Paul Nardi from the edge of the box. Fans voiced their displeasure, claiming Osmajic should have shown more sportsmanship by allowing play to stop for the injured player.
Despite the setback, Queens Park Rangers rallied, dominating possession and creating numerous chances. Their persistence paid off five minutes after halftime when Rayan Kolli scored the equalizer. Following some smart build-up play from Paul Smyth and Jimmy Dunne, Kolli fired through the legs of Preston keeper Freddie Woodman, making the scores level at 1-1.
Unfortunately for Preston, the tide turned sharply when Liam Lindsay received his second yellow card for a foul on Kieran Morgan with just seven minutes remaining. With Lindsay sent off, Preston found themselves down to ten men and struggling for shape.
QPR seized the opportunity, launching relentless attacks and eventually netting the winner. Jimmy Dunne headed home from close range after connecting with Ilias Chair's cross, sending the home crowd wild with excitement. The goal came just before the final whistle, sealing the victory for Rangers.
This win is particularly significant, especially considering QPR's early season struggles, including finding themselves at the bottom of the Championship table just weeks ago. Head coach Marti Cifuentes expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, stating, "For me it was our best performance of the season. Starting the game so well - something we had spoken about, because the last two first halves were not great - and then conceding a goal and losing our captain, that's something hard. The response...hints at the group's mentality." This sentiment rang true as the Rangers showcased resilience and determination throughout the match.
On the other hand, Preston North End’s manager Paul Heckingbottom felt his side deserved at least a draw. He commented on the game, noting, "The best way to sum it up is celebrating a draw. QPR were the best team... It would have been a big point for us, but they deserved the win." His sentiments were echoed by defender Kaine Kesler-Hayden, who, after the match, remarked, "I agree. I think the performance wasn't good enough today and that's disappointing... If we want to start moving up the table we need to improve our away form."
With this victory, QPR now sits comfortably mid-table and looks to build on its recent success. Both teams return to action soon, with QPR eager to maintain their momentum, and Preston hoping to improve their away form as they seek to recover from this setback.
