QPR 0-0 Sunderland – 1-3 on penalties: Match Report and Player Ratings (Carabao Cup)
Sunderland earned their place in the quarter final of the Carabao Cup after a penalty shootout victory against Championship side QPR.
The two teams couldn’t be split in the 90 minutes with both sides having some excellent chances.
QPR thought they had taken the lead in the second half when Austin bundled the ball home but controversially, the flag went up for offside.
After 90 minutes, the score remained level and penalties followed with Sunderland victorious.
Team news
Burge, Winchester, Alves, Wright, Hume, O’Nien, Evans, Neil, Gooch, Dajaku, Stewart
Report
Sunderland got this evenings cup fixture underway at Loftus Road knowing full well they were the underdogs.
However it was the visitors that had the first chance of the game with Dajaku played through by Gooch but his effort was saved easily by Dieng.
Sunderland had another opportunity to take the lead minutes after. Dan Neil with a surging run but his effort was saved well down to the right of Dieng.
Lee Burge was called into action for the first time, forced into an excellent save down to his right after a half volley from the edge of the box.
Chair was next for QPR to come close to giving his side the lead as he received the ball on the edge of the box but dragged his effort wide of the post.
Alves almost turned the ball into his own net following a cross from Chair. The ball just flying over his own goal and out for a QPR corner.
QPR again had an excellent chance to take the lead after Neil was dispossessed but Burge was down quick to his left to make the save from Gray.
The score was level at the break.
Sunderland looked a little bit brighter in the second half and a neat exchange between O’Nien and Neil almost led to a goal but a outstretched leg or Barbet sent the ball behind for a corner.
Charlie Austin was introduced for the hosts and had a great chance to give his side the lead. Kakay with a good cross towards the forward who volleyed over the bar from inside the box.
Sunderland got their best chance of the game soon after. Substitutes Mcgeady and O’Brien almost combined well but the latter was inches away from getting on the end of a cross.
QPR thought they had taken the lead when Adomah fired the ball goal bound before rebounding off Austin. The flag went up for offside however the replay showed Austin was onside. A lucky escape for Sunderland and a shocking decision from the officials.
Carl Winchester was inches away from taking the lead for Sunderland. Firing a low effort just inches wide of Dieng’s post after a lay off from Stewart.
Sunderland very nearly snatched it in the dying seconds through McGeady but Dieng was down to his left very quickly to parry the ball away.
Full time arrived and penalties followed…
Penalties
Austin QPR- SAVED 0-0
McGeady SAFC- SCORED 0-1
Chair QPR- MISSED 0-1
Stewart SAFC- SCORED 0-2
Dykes QPR- SCORED 1-2
Pritchard SAFC- SCORED 1-3
Barbet SAFC- MISSED 1-3 FULL TIME
Player ratings (Not inc pens)
Burge 7- Made some good stops throughout the game. Distribution was decent for large parts
Winchester 6- Wasteful in possession on too many occasions.
Wright 6- Defended well but again, very wasteful in possession.
Alves 5- Lucky not to concede an own goal in the first half.
Hume NA- Went off with an injury
Evans 6- Didn’t have too much of an influence on the game but was tidy when involved.
O’Nien 6- See above. Picked up a harsh yellow card after a poor touch in the first half.
Neil 6- Showed sparks of creativity but didn’t see awfully much of the goal.
Gooch 5- Frustrating. Wasteful on the ball and got his usual booking for complaining to the referee.
Dajaku 5- Decision making was poor at times but looked a threat when on the ball. Taken off with a knock.
Stewart 5- Had little service. Wasn’t as busy as usual.
Subs
Cirkin 6- Defended well and played some neat passes throughout.
Doyle 6- Did his usual job at the back.
O’Brien 6- Offered little.
Pritchard 6- Full of energy.
Mcgeady 6- Looked a threat everytime he got the ball.
