QPR vs. Manchester City: Winners and Losers from Premier League Game
Manchester City had to fight back from behind twice at Loftus Road, settling for a 2-2 draw in the end at Queens Park Rangers.
The home team were aggressive in their pressing and attacking, with Charlie Austin seeing two goals chalked off early on before he finally opened the scoring. Sergio Aguero equalised before Martin Demichelis netted an own goal to put QPR back ahead. Aguero was called upon again to net another late equaliser.
Here are all our winners and losers from the match in London.
Winner: Sergio Aguero
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What a performance from Sergio Aguero. From the first minute until the last, he was Manchester City's best player and biggest threat, with his runs in behind the defence which QPR never got to grips with.
Aguero created chances for fellow attackers, never let the centre-backs have a moment to rest and, above all else, showed great technique and composure inside the penalty box.
His two finishes were top-drawer and, fit and firing, it's no surprise to see him top of the scorers charts.
Loser: Edin Dzeko
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Edin Dzeko's miserable afternoon at Loftus Road can be summed up pretty easily and quickly.
He was left on the bench for the start of the game, being without a goal in over a month, and had to watch on as his side toiled in the rain initially and then failed to get ahead against QPR.
Dzeko was then called upon as sub just after the hour mark—and lasted a full two minutes before going off injured, without touching the ball more than once.
Winner: The Austin vs. Hart Battle
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The match-long duel between QPR striker Charlie Austin and Man City keeper Joe Hart was exciting and incident-filled, especially in the first half.
Austin beat Hart three times in the opening spell of the game, once after a dreadful free-kick from the stopper—who got away with it purely because his error was of such a magnitude that play was called back for a double touch on a free-kick.
Austin did eventually score, but Hart also made two top saves from the same player thereafter.
Loser: Eliaquim Mangala
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Manchester City were without Vincent Kompany, leaving Eliaquim Mangala and Martin Demichelis as the central defensive pairing. It was close out of the two to get the nomination for today's worst—but we'll just about opt for the French defender despite Demichelis' own goal.
Mangala constantly fouled Zamora and Austin in the air, gave away possession far too cheaply—especially in his own half—and was bullied by both QPR strikers.
Another poor performance from an expensive acquisition who has failed to settle in at City yet.
Winner: Eduardo Vargas
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Our final winner is QPR wide midfielder Edu Vargas, who was superb all game long.
He troubled City no end with his darts infield, ability to pick a pass and delivery from wide areas, whether taking players on and crossing on the run or from his set piece accuracy.
Vargas gave Gael Clichy a horrible time down the right wing, but also made a fool out of Fernando centrally when he drifted infield to affect play, and almost scored a spectacular volley to give QPR a late lead.
