QPR 1-0 Sunderland: SH*TE - Calamity ‘keeper Steele strikes again; Player Ratings & Match Report

Sunderland began the afternoon performing competently before an inexplicably moronic individual error from Jason Steele dropped the heads of the remaining ten players and subsequently cost them the game.

Bar Hull’s 4-3 win over Norwich, the other results were once again relatively kind to us. That, however, means very little when we’re still handing starts to the likes of Lee Cattermole and John O’Shea.

Want to know just how bad they were? Have a look below at how they played and rated...

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Lineups

QPR: Alex Smithies, Darnell Furlong, Nedum Onuoha, Jack Robinson, Jake Bidwell, Massimo Luongo, Josh Scowen, Luke Freeman, Eberechi Eze, Paul Smyth, Matt Smith

Subs: Matt Ingram, Joel Lynch, Jordan Cousins, Conor Washington, Ryan Manning, Pawel Wszolek, Bright Osayi-Samuel

Sunderland: Jason Steele, Adam Matthews, Bryan Oviedo, John O’Shea, Lamine Kone, Lee Cattermole, Jonny Williams, George Honeyman, Ovie Ejaria, Ashley Fletcher, Joel Asoro

Subs: Lee Camp, Billy Jones, Callum McManaman, Aiden McGeady, Lynden Gooch, Josh Maja, Ethan Robson

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First Half

The opening exchanges of the game were fairly evenly contested, with neither team really troubling the other.

Bar a half chance which was spurned by Ashley Fletcher, Sunderland rarely asked questions of their opposition but, in equal measure, QPR were cautious and not particularly threatening in posession.

In the least shocking news of the afternoon, Jonny Williams lasted a grand total of thirty minutes before succumbing to injury from a fairly non-descript tackle - perhaps retirement and taking up something like knitting might better suit his life going forward, as contact sports clearly aren’t for him. He was replaced by Aiden McGeady, with George Honeyman moving inside to take up Williams’ role in the side.

The rest of the half continued in a drab fashion, with neither team really threatening before the referee blew his whistle for the half time break.

HT: QPR 0-0 Sunderland

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Second Half

Just when you thought you had seen it all from Jason Steele, he managed to outdo himself right at the start of the second period.

Having misjudged the flight of a long ball when careering out of his area, Steele handled it right on the edge of the box, earning himself a red card in the process.

This of course led to Rangers turning the screw a bit, with Paul Smyth causing John O’Shea problems with his energy and workrate.

And, eventually, the Rs broke through after a spell of continued pressure.

Eberechi Eze walked past Lee Cattermole before playing a one-two and finishing well beyond substitute ‘keeper Lee Camp.

Not long after QPR should have made it two when Ovie Ejaria needlessly lost possession on the half way line, affording Matt Smith a saved opportunity that he really should have converted with ease.

The home side continued with their cautious approach, knowing full well that ten-man Sunderland weren’t going to try and open them up.

Soon after Matt Smith nodded one in from a free kick but it was ruled out for offside, allowing Sunderland some breathing space in the last ten minutes of the game. The R’s then followed that up with a fine strike from Osayi-Samuel which brought a good save out of Lee Camp.

The rest of the half was seen out in a professional manner by Rangers and they ran out comfortable winners, with the defeat leaving Sunderland bottom of the table, still just four points off Barnsley in 21st place.

FT: QPR 1-0 Sunderland (Eze 62’)

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Player Ratings

Jason Steele, 0/10: Moron.

Bryan Oviedo, 5/10: Didn’t have a bad game but needs to offer more offensively sometimes. He’s very capable but often he has games where he just does nothing.

John O’Shea, 2/10: Sauntered around all afternoon like he had a caravan tied to his back. Please retire.

Lamine Kone, 6/10: Feel sorry for him having to constantly cover for John O’Shea.

Adam Matthews, 6/10: Feel sorry for him having to constantly cover for John O’Shea.

Lee Cattermole, 0/10: What is the point in him anymore? He spends more time pretending he’s doing something than any other player on the park, and was terrible for Eze’s goal. Slow, doesn’t tackle, can’t pass, can’t shoot. Rank.

Jonny Williams, 2/10: Offered very little and then went off injured again. What a waste of time he is.

Ovie Ejaria, 2/10: What does he offer that Ethan Robson doesn’t? Just looks lost constantly and his inexperience shines through far too often for my liking.

George Honeyman, 6/10: Worked tirelessly and kept possession ticking over well despite having to change position on a couple of occasions.

Joel Asoro, 6/10: Shouldn’t have been taken off when Steele was sent off.

Ashley Fletcher, 2/10: Should have been taken off when Steele was sent off.

(SUB) Aiden McGeady, 5/10: Didn’t really do much but then sometimes it feels like nobody is on his wavelength.

(SUB) Lee Camp, 6/10: Conceded one but there wasn’t much he could have done about it.

(SUB) Josh Maja, 6/10: Some neat touches when he came on. Would have started him ahead of Fletcher.

Man of the Match: Aye.