QPR are fourth in the Championship after a 2-2 draw at home to Reading. Here’s how we rated each R’s player.
The keeper made two outstanding early saves to foil Sam Baldock and Ovie Ejaria, as well as setting up Jordan Hugill’s goal with a long clearance, but he was also slow to react to the cross that brought about Reading’s second equaliser.
Rangel’s withdrawal at half-time, to enable a change in formation, reflected his age rather than his performance, during which he got forward to good effect and supplied passes with accuracy.
While it was hardly a surprise to see the Rangers captain outpaced by George Puscas for Reading’s first goal, some of his passing was sloppy and, like Kelly, he was at fault for the second.
As always, the Frenchman looked far more at ease when Rangers switched to a three-man defence and he came to the rescue on a couple of occasions to snuff out counter-attacks by the visitors.
Having over-hit a free-kick during the first half, Manning delivered far better balls as the game progressed – sometimes so good that they outwitted his team-mates as well as the Reading defence.
Although Cameron was influential early on, winning tackles and spraying passes around, he seemed to fade somewhat and struggled at times to deal with the lively Ejaria.
Reading largely succeeded in stifling the midfielder’s creative talent, although he never stopped working hard to try and change that situation until being substituted 15 minutes from time.
Initially Scowen appeared to flounder against an efficient Reading midfield, although he improved to put in some vital tackles, notably one that stopped Ejaria in his tracks at the start of the second half.
As with Chair, the visitors had understandably set out to shackle Ranger’s chief playmaker – but, as soon as they did afford Eze some space, he promptly set up Nahki Wells to open the scoring.
The Rangers striker took his goal well after an exchange of headers with Wells, but he might have done better with a later opportunity, failing to convert Manning’s far-post cross.
Unlucky not to score – or at least win a penalty when Andy Yiadom handled his goalbound volley – Wells made amends soon afterwards with a clinical finish, later also providing an assist for strike partner Hugill.
Brought on to replace Rangel for the second half, Kane produced a number of trademark surging runs along the right flank, but he also lost possession too frequently, putting the back line under pressure.
Sent on for the final 25 minutes in place of Wells, the midfielder looked understandably rusty as he continued his comeback from a recent hamstring injury.
Given the final quarter of an hour to stiffen up Rangers’ midfield, Pugh looked solid enough without getting all that many opportunities to shine.
This post was last modified on 23/10/2019