QPR 1-0 Wigan
QPR derailed the Wigan express – but Hoops came mighty close to being steamrollered themselves.
Yossi Benayoun’s second of the season was just enough to further boost Rs chances of promotion chances, but Latics asked most of the questions.
The scorer's dismissal right at the death demanded Hoops grit their teeth to hang on to the precious win.
A thunderbolt of a free-kick from Ravel Morrison shook the bar deep into the second half with Wigan scrabbling the half-hit shot from Bobby Zamora off the line, but the real heroes were at the back and keeper Rob Green in particular.
Josh McEachran’s early curler was close to creeping in at the far post.
But the game’s only goal on 16 minutes was as good as anything to be found at the Nou Camp.
Messi would have applauded Joey Barton’s pass to Niko Kranjcar; and his first-timer to Tom Carroll for a pull-back to Hill, with a deft back-heel from the defender finding Benayoun to rifle home from six yards.
The slick move failed to put Latics out of their stride and James Perch unleashed a thunderbolt that knocked Green back a stride as he parried at the near post.
Nick Powell was further back when he let go a drive, but Green again needed strong fists to divert the ball left.
Wigan pushed on when James McClean worked himself space for Rs keeper to save with his feet. Seconds later the same Latic turned and prodded from a yard with Green a fourth time keeping his sheet clean – or maybe McClean.
Rangers diced with death when Green and Hill allowed the ball dropped between them before the keeper dropped on it to prevent James Perch cashing in.
McClean – him again – was a varnish coat from the equaliser as he fired past the far post as Rangers had half time in mind.
Within seconds of the restart Wigan could have scored twice.
McArthur’s shot came back at him off Green’s save to screw wide, and the overworked keeper was quick off his line to deny McClean for what seemed the umpteenth time.
Ivan Ramis headed against upright and bar from a corner, but Green’s goal led a charmed life, but the next time Latics threatened it was Clint Hill with a perfectly timed tackle that denied McClean as he attempted to burst through.
Morrison’s hit against the frame brought the crowd to their feet, but the faithful were subdued when Barton limped off in the last 10 minutes.
It got worse when scorer Benayoun was dismissed in time added on for a second yellow, and when Green denied Nicky Maynard's header from point-blank range, Wigan knew it wasn't their night.
QPR: Green; Hughes, Onuoha, Dunne, Hill; Barton (Henry 84), Carroll, Kranjcar (O’Neil 45), Benayoun; Morrison (Yun 89), Zamora, subs not used: Murphy, Simpson, Keane, Hoilett
