Manchester City vs. QPR: Winners and Losers from Premier League
Manchester City crushed Queens Park Rangers 6-0 on Sunday, relegating their opponents from the Premier League in the process.
Sergio Aguero notched a hat-trick, while David Silva, James Milner and Aleksandar Kolarov also chipped in with a strike each, ensuring a dominant day both on the pitch and on the scoreboard for the Citizens.
Here B/R picks its winners and losers from the game.
Loser: Chris Ramsey, Who Flunked It on the Final Chance
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"We came here with a lot of hope, but on the day, we didn't turn up," Chris Ramsey told Premier League TV after Queens Park Rangers' 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Manchester City.
That may be partly true—some of the players, particularly Leroy Fer, looked disinterested, to say the least—but Ramsey got it wrong on the day.
No one envies the man who must set up a relegation-threatened team for a win at the Etihad Stadium, but reverting to the 3-5-2 was a bad decision. Not wanting to be outnumbered in midfield while retaining the Charlie Austin-Bobby Zamora partnership is fine, but when Fer doesn't make up the numbers and your defence clearly doesn't know what it's supposed to be doing is never a positive step.
Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Co. found reams of space to work in, and the game only became more open as it progressed. It was catastrophic result for Ramsey—he needed a win to retain faint hopes of staying up, and his team lost 6-0.
Winner: Sergio Aguero, Who Netted a Hat-Trick
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As James Robson of the Manchester Evening News points out, it's downright "baffling" that the PFA failed to name Sergio Aguero in its Team of the Year. His hat-trick on Sunday moved him onto 25 Premier League goals from 28 starts this season, per WhoScored.com.
His performance was absolutely electric, and he picked up an assist for James Milner's close-range tap-in to further bolster his stock. His pace, movement and clinical shooting ability ensured Rob Green had a nightmare day.
He's well out ahead as top goalscorer in the Premier League now, with Harry Kane five behind on 20 and Diego Costa six behind on 19. His quest for the Golden Boot seems to be nearing its completion.
Manchester City have an ageing squad, and there will be a summer rebuild. Aguero should be central to the team's hopes moving forward and be the piece around whom the manager builds.
Loser: Tony Fernandes and QPR the 'Club'
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Queens Park Rangers are in a real mess right now. They're confirmed as relegated from the Premier League despite having a higher wage bill than both Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, per the Telegraph, and a summer of stripping and rebuilding will follow.
But even worse, the threat of a sizable financial fair play fine looms, also per the Telegraph, and the club could be kicked out of the Football League if they fail to comply with regulations. The loss Tony Fernandes and Queens Park Rangers have accumulated over the course of this season is significantly higher than the allowed loss in the Championship.
Prepare for a tumultuous summer period at Loftus Road; the fallout of this season is only just beginning.
Winner: David Silva, Who Ruled the Midfield
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Sergio Aguero will grab the headlines for his hat-trick, Yaya Toure will be focused upon due to a bookmaker's birthday stunt and Wilfried Bony's positive cameo off the bench will garner attention.
But do not forget David Silva's role in this 6-0 demolition, as the Spaniard tip-toed his way through midfield to set up numerous chances and even net one himself.
He found space in between QPR's midfield and defensive lines and let his quick thinking do the damage. He and Aguero are irresistible.
Loser: Charlie Austin, Who Couldn't Stay Onside
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It's almost as if he forgot the offside rule.
Charlie Austin threatened throughout the game for Queens Park Rangers, utilising clever movement and a predatory instinct to get himself into good positions. He hit the woodwork and netted with a sweet header from 12 yards, but both were called back for clear offside decisions.
It was truly remarkable how often the 17-goal striker was caught moving too early. In this game, his side really needed him to turn up and do the damage, but the linesman's flag rose every time.
The silver lining? There's no way he'll play a Championship game next season; it's likely Premier League clubs will be chasing his signature this summer—and on the cheap too.
