Football Review | QPR 1 - 0 Stoke City

QPR's revival continues 

Harvey Vale’s first Championship goal secured a third straight win for his side

Author | James P

Stadium | Loftus Road

QPR players and fans celebrate

The 22-year-old former Chelsea midfielder struck midway through the second half, curling a left-footed effort beyond Viktor Johansson after both sides had pushed for a breakthrough following a cautious opening period. Johansson, outstanding throughout, had already denied Vale and Rumarn Burrell, while Stoke saw Million Manhoef head over from close range before Aaron Cresswell’s shot was cleared off the line in added time.

The victory continues Rangers’ recovery from their 7-1 defeat at Coventry City, with successive wins over Wrexham, Charlton and now Stoke. For the visitors it was only a second defeat of the campaign, a setback after their strongest start to a season since 1998.

A closer look at a successful afternoon for QPR 

QPR press for a goal

Mark Robins kept faith with the side that beat Birmingham City, and his team dominated possession in the first half. Yet it was the hosts who had the clearer chances, Vale failing to punish Lewis Baker’s mistake and Richard Kone curling just wide. 

After the interval Stoke’s profligacy cost them, Tomas Rigo miscuing from Sorba Thomas’ cut-back before Manhoef headed wastefully over.

Johansson looked unbeatable as he repelled Koki Saito and Vale in quick succession, then pulled off a remarkable save to deny Burrell from close range. But he was finally beaten when Saito’s cross was blocked into Vale’s path, the midfielder picking out the far corner with composure. Stoke pressed for an equaliser but Lamine Cisse blazed over and Cresswell was thwarted by Liam Morrison’s last-ditch intervention.