Queens Park Rangers VS Barnsley.
Last season Barnsley surprised everyone with a spectacular FA Cup winning streak that included the giant killings of Chelsea and Liverpool.
This time around, despite playing arguably better football, with slicker passing and a great goal scored after 5 minutes, by Iain Hume, Barnsley were undone by their inability to defend set pieces, and QPR's determination.
The side, managed by Iain Dowie, has seen many changes this summer, with expensive signings and intense pre-season training, and it showed. QPR may have been so to start, and on the back foot for most of the first half, but their quality and dedication shined though when Emmanuel Ledesma's free-kick in the 29th minute hit the back of the net – a great strike that levelled the terms for the home side.
Less than two minutes later he met with Cook's corner and took QPR ahead.
Barnsley refused to give in and arguably had the better game from then of – the second half has been described by enough people as “one sided” - in this case, Barnsley played hard and fast, but were undone when Van Homoet was sent off in the 83rd minute – a regrettable action for his club that may have lost his side a crucial point at the start of the season.
The performances of the two teams bodes well for their future in this league.
Final Score: Queens Park Rangers 2 – 1 Barnsley.
Birmingham City VS Sheffield United.
Kevin Philips was the man of the hour with a very late strike to give his new side, Birmingham, all three points.
Taylor, the United keeper, had been tested several times throughout the match as the two teams battled their way through a gritty 90 minutes, and was only beaten when substitute Philips turned and shot – an impressive finish that should remind the naysayers that this player once won a golden boot in the top division not too long ago.
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