Immediate Reaction: QPR 2-0 Bolton Wanderers

Bolton Wanderers made it two away defeats in the space of four days, after losing 2-0 to Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.

The first half was all QPR, aside from a Derik chance which Alex Smithies did well to save.

Time and time again, QPR striker Matt Smith beat Wanderers’ defenders in the air. If it wasn’t for Alnwick, Bolton could have been three or four down before the break.

The turning point in the game happened ten minutes into the second half.

Mark Little was shown a red card for a foul on Massimo Luongo. Was it a red card? Well, there was minimal contact, but Little flew in with both feet off the ground. It was sort of challenge you’d be screaming for a red card to be shown if it was an opposition player.

Whether or not Phil Parkinson decides to appeal the decision remains to be seen.

After dominating the game, QPR finally took the lead in the 72nd minute. Matt Smith’s header across goal was headed home by Joel Lynch.

QPR doubled their lead in stoppage time, with Matt Smith finally getting his goal after many missed attempts during the game.

Wanderers weren’t in this game at all. They had fifteen less shots than QPR, and only 31% possession.

This game was a missed opportunity for Wanderers. If Bolton were going to start racking up points away from home, then a match against QPR should have been the start.

Thankfully, Birmingham City lost and Sunderland lost, but Birmingham have now jumped Wanderers on goal difference.

It goes without saying, but Tuesday is now huge.

Anything but a win against Sunderland at home would be disastrous.