SQUEAKY Bum Tyne is now officially over — thanks to Jose Bosingwa.
The QPR defender gifted Newcastle the win they needed to seal survival on a nightmare afternoon for him.
The Portuguese right-back was already Public Enemy No1 with Rangers fans after refusing to be a sub against Fulham in December.
But his popularity — and confidence — slumped to a new low after events at Loftus Road yesterday.
After Rangers took an early lead through Loic Remy’s penalty, brainless Bosingwa gave away a stupid spot-kick of his own, which Hatem Ben Arfa duly dispatched to level.
QPR manager says he does not blame Portuguese for goals - but players will be sold in the summer
Bosingwa then had every touch booed by his own Rangers fans.
Just when you thought his afternoon could not get any worse, his backpass led to Yoan Gouffran slotting home what proved to be the winner in the 35th minute.
Furious R’s fans reacted by spending the next 10 minutes calling for Bosingwa’s head.
Then, as the first half came to an end, they sang: “Harry, Harry, take him off.”
NEWCASTLE boss said linesman should have made clearer call as his keeper sent off at Loftus Road
Raging Rangers boss Harry Redknapp duly obliged by hooking Bosingwa and the equally ineffective Stephane Mbia during the break.
Bosingwa still has two years of his £65,000-a-week contract to run.
But it is difficult to see him ever playing for the club again.
You also wonder who would want to buy him.
EQUALISER ... Hatem Ben Arfa slots home a penalty
One thing is for sure, though, he will always be guaranteed a warm welcome in Newcastle after ensuring their Premier League safety.
It looked as though the Tynesiders — who had won just once previously on their top-flight travels this season — would face another week of uncertainty having fallen behind after just 11 minutes.
Hoops winger Junior Hoilett burst down the left and went to ground under a challenge from Mathieu Debuchy.
There was some debate as to whether the foul was inside or outside the box. And ref Lee Probert seemed to take an age pointing to the spot after blowing his whistle.
PEN ARFA ... Hatem Ben Arfa's penalty beats Robert Green
But Remy made no mistake as he sent Toon keeper Rob Elliot the wrong way from 12 yards.
Having given such a dubious penalty, there was a feeling Probert might try to even matters up — and so it came to pass.
Mind you, he had a massive helping hand from Bosingwa, who had just produced a brilliant block to deny Yohan Cabaye a certain goal from Gouffran’s 17th-minute cross.
Within seconds, Bosingwa went from hero to zero. In trying to stop Ben Arfa, he grabbed too much of the Newcastle man’s shirt, needlessly giving away the game’s second penalty.
Ben Arfa straightened himself out before smashing the ball into the top corner to make it 1-1 with 18 minutes gone.
I LOIC THAT ... Loic Remy scores QPR's penalty
With the jeers ringing in Bosingwa’s ears, Papiss Cisse headed in a Debuchy cross four minutes later — only to see it ruled out for offside.
At the other end, Elliot produced a fine save from Hoilett after a one-two with Bobby Zamora.
It was an even contest until Bosingwa’s second rush of blood presented a gift-wrapped winner for Newcastle on 35 minutes.
QPR keeper Robert Green rolled the ball out to his right-back, who played it back short.
RANT ... Jose Bosingwa got stick from QPR fans
Green’s clearance was half-blocked by Jonas Gutierrez and Gouffran slotted the ball into an unguarded net.
It knocked the stuffing out of already-relegated Rangers.
And their woeful lack of commitment and concentration levels was highlighted in the 67th minute when Green picked up Armand Traore’s backpass. It could have been worse for Rangers had sub Shaun Derry not cleared off the line in the 70th minute and Gouffran not fired wide four minutes later.
Newcastle keeper Elliot was sent off in the 80th minute after collecting a second booking for handling outside the box.
But the 10 men held on and victory makes Newcastle safe from relegation, with Cup winners Wigan having to play Villa on the last day.
KEEPER CHANGE ... Steve Harper comes on after Rob Elliot's red card
DREAM TEAM
SUN STAR MAN — HATEM BEN ARFA (NEWCASTLE)
QPR: Green 5, Bosingwa 3 (Fabio 6), Hill 6, Onuoha 6, Traore 5, Townsend 5, Jenas 5, Mbia 4 (Derry 6), Hoilett 6 (Taarabt 6), Remy 6, Zamora 5. Subs not used: Murphy, Park, Mackie, Granero. Booked: Mbia.
NEWCASTLE: Elliot 4, Debuchy 5, Coloccini 7, Williamson 6, Yanga-Mbiwa 6, Cabaye 6, Tiote 6 (Perch 6), Gutierrez 7, Ben Arfa 7 (Harper 6), Cisse 5, Gouffran 6 (Obertan 5). Subs not used: Simpson, Anita, Marveaux, Campbell. Sent Off: Elliot. Booked: Elliot, Cabaye, Williamson.
REF: L Probert 6
No comments:
Post a Comment