QPR celebrated the 50th anniversary of the 1967 League Cup win in style as they came from behind to beat former manager Neil Warnock’s Cardiff at Loftus Road.
In front of some of the surviving cast of that great day at Wembley, it looked for a long time as if the Bluebirds would play part-poopers courtesy of Sol Bamba’s header late in the first half.
However, second half goals from substitute Yeni Ngbakoto and a Jazz Richards own goal meant Rangers could break out the champagne with a clear conscience.
Perhaps buoyed by the party atmosphere rangers began well, Matt Smith heading debutant Sean Goss’ corner against the top of the bar in the fifth minute.
The Bluebirds responded with some good raids down the left from Kadeem Harris without troubling home keeper Alex Smithies, before Rs hit the woodwork for a second time on 24 minutes.
This time the inform Conor Washington was the unlucky man his shot from the left striking the inside of the far post with Cardiff keeper Allan McGregor helpless.
Ian Holloway’s side continued to press, though Massimo Luongo overdid the process and was lucky to escape with a yellow for a lunge on Matt Connolly.
The threat down the left from Cardiff hadn’t gone away and fashioned another chance on 44 minutes when Joe Ralls’ shot deflected off Nedum Onuoha forcing a save from Alex Smithies at full stretch.
Sadly, the reprieve was short-lived as from the corner Bamba rose above the cover to power a header into the top corner.
Encouraged by being ahead against the run of play the visitors penned Rangers in the minutes immediately following the break and Joel Lynch had to scramble Kenneth Zohore of the line to keep the deficit to 1-0
Ngbakoto replaced Goss in a bid to turn the tide and they were close to restoring the lead just past the hour when James Perch’s cross was inches too far ahead of Washington’s boot at the far post.
Just a minute late came the leveller and Ngbakoto was the man to grab it, latching onto Jamie Mackie’s pass inside the defender, before firing high past McGregor.
Old boy Junior Hoilett, booed throughout, was close to putting Cardiff back in front with a curler a whisker wide, but Rangers were in the ascendancy now and Ngbakoto swerving free-kick forced an acrobatic save from McGregor scrambling the ball behind.
The resulting corner though saw the hosts in front, Smith claiming the credit amid suspicions Cardiff defender Jazz Richards had got the decisive touch.
Here’s our reflections on an emotionally charged day at Loftus Road
A ghost laid on a famous
It was fitting on the 50th anniversary of Rangers’ 1967 League Cup win that the class of 2017 should lay to rest the monkey of not winning after conceding the first goal – a stat which has haunted them the whole of this season and then some.
Much love for legends of yesteryear
50 years to the day after Rangers greatest triumph in the 1967 League Cup final the likes of winning goal scorer Mark Lazarus and others were saluted for their efforts in the club’s finest hour.
Mixed receptions for other old friends
Former manager Neil Warnock received huge cheers prior to kick-off in recognition of his stints in the home dugout in recent years.
Another former member of the W12 parish Junior Hoilett was not so fortunate, being roundly booed every time he touched the ball.
Ravel Morrison
Yet another familiar face on a day of returnees, Morrison made a quiet cameo appearance from the bench.
The former West Ham made has acquired a somewhat chequered reputation, so quiet intros are not necessarily a bad thing. He certainly has the talent if he can settle down to be a hero of tomorrow in W12.
Conor Washington – a man transformed
Not on the scoresheet on a day when others will take the headlines, but the Northern Irish forward was a constant menace, full of passion and running from first minute to last.
