Queens Park Rangers 1-0 Sunderland: Austin’s Opener Enough For Rangers

Charlie Austin’s first half added time goal was enough for QPR to register their first Premiership win leaving Sunderland winless.

The opening stages of the match saw both teams trading chances. The first chance fell to Sunderland after only 30 seconds. Patrick Van Aanholt shot into the side netting after being fed after a surging run by Connor Wickham down the left.

At the other end, Charlie Austin had his header cleared of the line by a back tracking Wickham after a Joey Barton corner wasn’t dealt with.

Sunderland were creating space through the middle in the first half as Johnson seemed to be given a free role. It was Johnson who slipped Steven Fletcher through on goal after 11 mins but he saw his effort well saved by Rob Green.

Johnson was again the catalyst for Sunderland’s next chance on 18 mins as Van Aanholt shot over after Johnson played him in after a good run.  At this stage Sunderland were dictating the game with possession being built from the back and space being created through the middle.

On 30 mins however the Black Cats were nearly punished for missing their early chances as Leroy Fer crashed a long range shot off the bar after beating Rodwell in midfield.

QPR were starting to build pressure as the half progressed and they were eventually rewarded with their first goal of the season. Joey Barton’s added time corner wasn’t dealt with, which allowed the ball to fall to Charlie Austin to blast home on the half volley.

Sunderland could have levelled soon after half time through Santiago Vergini. Steven Fletcher’s low cross from the left evaded the QPR defence allowing Vergini to have a snap shot which was well saved by Rob Green at his near post.

Sunderland dominated possession in the second half without creating too many clear cut chances. The only attempts on target the Black Cats could muster up were shots by Jack Rodwell and Giaccherini both of which were straight at Green.

Sunderland had QPR camped in their own half for the last ten minutes but the Black Cats couldn’t find a breakthrough past the QPR defence.

QPR (4-5-1): Green, Isla, Hill (c), Ferdinand, Caulker, Fer (Taarabt 90’), Mutch, Barton, Phillips, Austin (Zamora 67’), Hoilett (Traore 82’).

Subs: Murphy, Traore, Onuoha, Henry, Dunne, Zamora, Taarabt

Goals: Austin (45+2’)

Sunderland (4-3-3): Mannone, Vergini (Altidore 81’), van Aanholt, Brown, O'Shea (c), Cattermole, Larsson, Rodwell (Giaccherini 68’), Johnson, Wickham, Fletcher (Buckley 68’).

Subs: Pantilimon, Jones, Bridcutt, Gomez, Buckley, Giaccherini, Altidore.

Goals: None