Cardiff 0-1 Queens Park Rangers: player ratings, heroes & villains as Hoops end away day blues

Queens Park Rangers ended their away day blues by winning 1-0 against Cardiff City in South Wales.

Jamaican international Gray, who made his first start since early October netted his third goal of the season to bring to an end their four-game losing streak on the road.

The win propels the West London side three places up the table into the play-offs, whilst the Welsh club remain outside the relegation zone.

Tale of the match

Three changes were made by Mark Warburton as Jimmy Dunne, Moses Odubajo and Gray came in for Jordy de Wijs, Sam McCallum and Chris Wilock.

The out-of-form hosts tried to put their stamp on things early on as both Perry Ng and Rubin Colwill tested the goalkeeper from outside the box.

After withstanding the early pressure, QPR went close as Andre Gray flashed his header just wide from Albert Adomah’s cross.

In a half which needed a goal to provide a source of entertainment, it was the away side who provided it as they broke the deadlock. Andre Dozzell’s pass from the far side sliced through the home defence and namesake Gray turned the ball home past former QPR keeper Alex Smithies.

It could have got better early in the second-half as Cardiff cheaply gave away the ball, allowing Lyndon Dykes to test Smithies.

The Scotland international had another opportunity as the opposition tried to play the ball out of the box but it was closed down, Dykes though scooed his shot over the bar.

More pressure came as QPR quickly moved up the field, Austin shouldered the ball to Dykes whose goal bound effort was diverted away by Sean Morrison.

Having rarely challenged Seny Dieng’s goal throughout most of the first-half, Cardiff tried to worry him with the multiple corners they had but they were able to see the game out

Credit has to go to Yoann Barbet for his performance in how he conducted himself in stoppage time, making two key blocks.

The heroes

Andre Dozzell: Getting his first goal contribution of the season, Dozzell put in a resectable shift in the midfield.

After his withdrawal in the 82nd minute, he finished the match with 37 accurate passes with two of those regarded as key, giving him an 86% passing accuracy.

Ultimately with his killer assist for Gray, he finishes as the best-performing player in the match.

Albert Adomah: Making his return to the Cardiff City Stadium, Adomah put in a monumental effort in defence. The pace of Ryan Giles for Cardiff could have been a problem but Adomah made a number of well-timed challenges on the on-loan Wolves man.

The only dampener of the evening was probably the cynical challenge that he made but when you’re defending a lead, those tackles need to happen to stop a dangerous cross.

Andre Gray: The 30-year-old played his role well in this match and was met with a chorus of boos from the home crowd. Gray is a character that can wind up the opposition and he was doing that.

Before his withdrawal due to injury, Gray was putting pressure on the Cardiff defenders and grabbed a deserved goal before the break having gone near earlier.

When there are enforced changes pre-match you have to grab your opportunity and Gray did that with his goal.

The villains

Rob Dickie: Early in the second-half, he earned himself quite a cheap yellow card. A foul on Kieron Evans wasn’t a bookable offence but ignoring the referee is what earned him a way into the notebook.

As a defender it’s important to avoid such offences as it could have proved costly when defending a one goal lead.

His teammate Jimmy Dunne meanwhile put in an assured performance from the back.

Alex Smithies: For three years of his career, Smithies played his club football at Loftus Road, before being signed by Cardiff when they were promoted to the Premier League.

Weirdly, he hasn’t been given the best of receptions when he’s played against his former employers.

In the second-half when the ball was dead, the travelling fans tried to engage with Smithies but were met with silence.

The 31-year-old made a few routine saves but ultimately conceded the goal that lost Cardiff the game.

Player ratings

Cardiff City (3-4-2-1): Smithies 6, McGuinness 6, Morrison 6, Vaulks 6, (Ralls, 79;6), Moore 6 Nelson 6, Pack 6, Giles 6, Colwill 6, Evans 6, (Harris, 62;6), NG 5.

Queens Park Rangers (3-4-1-2): Dieng 6, Dickie 6, Barbet 7, Johansen 6, Dykes 7, Chair 7, (Ball, 77;6), Dozzell 8, (Amos, 82;6), Gray 7 (Austin, 54), Dunne 7, Odubajo 7, Adomah 8

What’s next?

It’s the Sky television cameras for QPR on Saturday as they make their way up to play-off chasing Blackpool.

For losing side Cardiff meanwhile they’re at home again against Huddersfield as they look to end their wretched form which has seen them winless in ten.