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Match Analysis: Southampton 1-2 Queens Park Rangers

Sports Mole brings you the low-down on the events between Southampton and Queens Park Rangers at St Mary's in the Premier League.

Queens Park Rangers recorded only their third win of the season as they beat Southampton 2-1 at St Mary's on Saturday.

Jay Bothroyd scored the winner towards the end of the second half, after Loic Remy's opener had been cancelled out by Gaston Ramirez before the break.

The victory was QPR's first in two months, but still leaves them rooted to the bottom of the table.

Was the result fair? Sports Mole examines where the game was won and lost on the South Coast.

Match statistics:

Southampton:
Shots 17
On target 9
Possession 55%
Corners 6
Fouls 7

QPR:
Shots 5
On target 3
Possession 45%
Corners 3
Fouls 15

Was the result fair?

It was maybe a little harsh on the Saints, but they only have themselves to blame. Harry Redknapp's tactics were clear against his old club - absorb the pressure and then counter-attack - which ultimately led to both goals. QPR will be delighted with their smash-and-grab style victory, but Southampton will be looking back on a missed opportunity here.

Southampton's performance

The home side were in the ascendancy for most of this fixture. But for all their possession, they failed to find that killer pass all too often. Rickie Lambert was not really involved too much in the match, and the Saints failed to trouble QPR too often. Both goals conceded were poorly defended. Mauricio Pochettino will be really disappointed with his side after this.

QPR's performance

Their tactics were not the most attractive on the eye, but they worked. Two counter-attack goals gave the Hoops a priceless victory, although they have a lot to thank goalkeeper Rob Green for, who made a number of superb stops after coming on for the injured Julio Cesar. There is still a long way to go for QPR, though, if they are to survive.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Rob Green: Hard to call this one, Ramirez did well for the home side while Remy was always a dangerman for the visitors, but I'm going to give this award to Green. He may have only played a short part of the match, but his performance essentially won the game for his side, with a number of great saves.

Biggest Gaffe

Maya Yoshida was guilty of an error in not just one, but both of QPR's goals. He was caught in a mix-up with centre-back partner Jose Fonte that allowed Remy the chance to score the first, before losing out to Park Ji-Sung far too easily, before the South Korean crossed the ball for the second goal. A bad day at the office for Yoshida.

Referee performance

Howard Webb refereed pretty well in a game that did not have any controversial moments. He got his bookings correct and was right using the correct strictness with certain players carrying bookings. An easy day out for Webb.

What next?

Southampton: Saints have a big game at Carrow Road as they travel to fellow relegation battlers Norwich City.

QPR: The Hoops will be looking to make it back-to-back wins when they host Sunderland at Loftus Park next Saturday.

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Written by
Matt Cotton
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