QPR's recent form had been dismal, two cup ties against non-league Vauxhall Motors had ended on Tuesday with them being dumped out of the FA Cup on penalties, and sandwiched in between was a goalless draw at Luton where Rangers couldn't break down the Hatters even when the home side were reduced to 9 men.
Last night QPR came out determined to turn things around, and attacked City from the off, Alexander forced into a superb reflex near post save where he tipped the ball athletically around the post. City had to defend for their lives, the previously susceptible Prior headed everything as the duo of Brett Angell and Kevin Gallen found themselves with a lot of the ball. Barker also performed well, and Croft showed himself to be the class act we all know he can be.
Cardiff were restricted to efforts on the break, most of our efforts were in keeping the home side out so service for our front men was sparse. We did however pass the ball well on a couple of occasions, with the little possession we had and had a couple of efforts either fly over the bar or straight at the keeper.
At our end Alexander was in inspired form, dominating his box and holding everything QPR could throw at him, after his poor game against CHesterfield last week.
Earnshaw looked like a man at the top of his game, and on the few times he did get the ball he turned the QPR defenders one way and another before finding a cross or a shot from nowhere.
I'm sorry I can't remember the details of all of QPR's chances, but there were so many that we really were happy to go in half time at 0-0. Alexander was constantly in action if not scrambling across his goal saving QPR efforts he was kicking backpasses from city defenders. It did look like the home side would run themselves out as the tempo in the first period was so fast and frenetic. Our midfield were left chasing shadows at times, and all four of them really worked hard, Hamilton starting to look the part on the right hand side, giving some balance to our previously wonky midfield. We matched them for work rate, something which we didn't in our previous away outing at Barnsley.
All the talk at half time was about whether we could hold out, but you always got the feeling that the first goal was going to be crucial.
The City support was excellent all night, but in particular in the first half with the team on the back foot, we were behind them 100%. Many songs about a certain Vauxhall Motors, and the favourite 'OO AR ITS A MASSACRE' as the goals flew in towards the end.
QPR carried on pretty much as they left off in the second half on the attack, although City did start to ease their way into things, with a bit of possession and a few chances to put efforts in on goal from Legg long throws and the like.
The first goal came after 59 minutes after a spell of pressure from the away team, a mad goalmouth scramble after a Legg corner saw the ball rolling around just inches from the line before it was poked just over the goalline. The linesman flagged for a goal and cue delerium in the city end. Even though the goal was less than 10 yards from my viewing position at the front of the lower tier, I and the people around me had no idea who the goalscorer was. From radio and TV reports since it seems Earnie got the last touch (and I was told in no uncertain terms by a young lady in front of me that I should pay more attention).
QPR came back at us immediately, Angell had an effort disallowed for offside as he blasted the ball past Alexander, and a string of attacks came to nothing.
City's second goal came, again when least expected. Earnshaw got some space after a slid ball from midfield and ran at the right of the Rangers defence. Just as you thought he had gone too far, he cut onto his left foot taking out his marker and blasted a shot in at the keeper's near post. Magic magic Earnshaw, absolutely brilliant stuff. Two nil and no doubting the goal scorer this time.
Even at 2-0 you worry (well I do anyway) and fair play to QPR they did keep coming at us but ran out of steam as expected, although Alexander wsa fortunate that one pile driver of a shot came straight at him. QPR also missed an absolute sitter from close range. Kavanagh and Legg both hit free kicks the regulation three foot nine inches over the bar, as the QPR central defenders started committing unnecessary fouls.
As the minutes ticked on the team and the fans started to relax, until a mistake by the usually reliable Shittu saw Earnie sneak in, and toe end the ball over the advancing Royce from 20 yards. Class far beyond anything we have seen at Ninian Park for years. Earnshaw's third goal, the trademark somersault and we are 3-0 up at QPR. Unbelievable.
Lawrence sensibly took Earnie off to a massive ovation, the boy is a genius. Campbell replaced him and a long ball over the top in injury time saw Andy baring in on goal, his first shot rebounded of the keeper before he slotted home to make it four in front of a disbelieving City support.
What a magnificent result that will send out a message to the rest of the division that Cardiff City mean business. Although the first half was dreadful we stuck at it and kept on going, when the opportunities came in the second half we took them. Great stuff and even miserable buggers like me are starting to believe that we really could do it this season after results like that.
Leaving the ground, the smiles were broad and the drinks went down well in West London last night. I received a phone call from a city fan who is in Australia on holiday and informed him that we had beaten QPR away 4-0, as he looked over Sydney Harbour, what a way to hear you are top of the league.
Cardiff City top, Earnie top of the goalscorers, and all is well with the world.
Report from FootyMad
A Rob Earnshaw hat-trick earned Cardiff an emphatic win after QPR dominated the first half.
The young Welsh international bungled home his first strike after Rangers failed to clear a corner but there was no denying the brilliance of his left-foot strike from 18 yards which buried any hopes QPR still nurtured.
Yet it could have been so different. Calum Willock came closest to breaking the deadlock with two headers which brought the best out of Neil Alexander.
The City keeper dived full length to palm away Willock's effort after two minutes. He then scampered across his goal to keep out a glancing header from the on-loan forward who got the faintest of touches to a Tommy Williams free-kick.
Kevin Gallen also missed out on two first-half chances, his first was a spectacular chip over a defender before half-volleying just over the bar. The second came as he latched on to a back header from Brett Angell, but although Gallen had a better angle he only hit his low drive straight at the keeper.
Richard Langley was the last in the first half to test Alexander with a long-range effort which still required the keeper to turn the ball around the post.
In between Cardiff's large army of fans only had an Earnshaw cross which Andy Legg hammered into the sidenetting to cheer.
However the shape of things to come appeared on 49 minutes, when the speedy Earnshaw was only denied by an even quicker Simon Royce as they both chased a Cardiff throughball.
After Earnshaw's double whammy, the fire went out of the game but Williams' drive from 20 yards may have had pace but still only needed a regulation save.
With six minutes to go Alexander should have been beaten at last as the two Rangers subs combined. Dennis Oli's header fell into the path of the unmarked Paul Furlong who thrashed his shot high and wide.
There was just time for Earnshaw to collect the match ball when he latched on to a poor Terrell Forbes backpass and dinked it over the stranded keeper.
Insult for Rangers fans was added to injury when Williams also repeated a dreadful attempt at finding Royce only for Andy Campbell to make it four after the keeper had parried the first attempt.
Match photo's click here
External Reports
IC Wales 1
IC Wales 2
BBC
