Manchester City 3-1 QPR
Whilst winning the Premier League is hard defending it is even harder as every team play against you as if they have a point to prove. In this case QPR really did have a point to prove after almost defeating Manchester City on the final day of last season, sadly however the R's couldn't quite make their point.
After being relatively lucky in their previous 2 games Manchester City came out roaring against QPR and immediately looked to open the scoring as the battered the QPR defense. The pressure told from the off and Manchester City racked up corner after corner as their attacks were turned behind by a nervy looking QPR back line who appeared intimidated from the opening whistle. After just 16 minutes Yaya Toure opened the scoring and it appeared as if goals were going to flood into the QPR net. Despite the fear on the QPR defense City couldn't bag a second before the half.
Having gone into the half at just 1-0 the question everyone was asking was "how is this just 1-0?" It was arguably the most 1-sided 1-0 half any of us will see this season with City completely running the game. Out of nowhere QPR equalised thanks to Bobby Zamora who brought the game to the most unlikely of scorelines at 1-1. This was short lived however as City re-affirmed their lead thanks to an Edin Dzeko header.
At 2-1 Manchester City never looked comfortable and QPR chased hard for another equaliser against a Manchester City defense that was starting to show serious signs of fatigue. The more tired City looked the more determined QPR looked to get something out of the game. Sadly however it wasn't to be and in the closing stages Carlos Tevez sealed the victory for the Sky Blue's.
Roberto Mancini will not be happy at the way his team looked so tired or at how they conceded a goal completely against the run of play. Whilst he'll be pleased that his team showed character and determination there really was very little to take positively from this game. City looked fantastic for 40 minutes but they were expected to look amazing for the dull 90, they looked powerful and strong but they again showed real defensive issues that look likely to cost them if they do not tidy up soon.
Despite losing, QPR's Mark Hughes will certainly be taking positives from this match. His team proved that not only could they defend but they could mentally wear a team down. City weren't expected to look leggy they were expected to just look in charge and dominant, but QPR's refusal to lie down will have really ground down on the mentality of the City players who will be realising just how hard this season is. Whilst QPR will take positives they now need to start taking points with only 1 from their first 3 matches they haven't got enough.
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