QUEENS PARK RANGERS 0 ARSENAL 3 (FA CUP 6TH ROUND)

Despite a goalless 1st half, we were never in threat of an upset, and once we kicked things up a gear we very easily and stylishly dispatched our more humble London hosts to advance to the semi-finals of the FA Cup once more.

Bojinov and Iaquinta linked up well, as they are oft to, for the latter to proceed on a marauding run into the box, where he was well dispossessed by a great last-ditch tackle from Evatt. Coming back again, this time it was our left flank that combined well as Bergkamp collected a Clichy pass before brilliantly delaying the return to find the full-back-cum-winger in the box. Clichy controlled well and found Iaquinta at the far post for the simplest of tap-ins, but the ‘keeper Royce somehow managed to block his point-blank shot for Hislop to clear for a corner with enthusiasm. The giant Italian wasn’t going to get an easier chance than that, and it sort of summed up his luck of recent.

Clichy received the resulting corner in the box, but his shot was cleared off the line. Mere minutes later, just past the quarter-hour mark, another Gonzalo corner landed for Clichy, who forced an excellent save from Royce at his near post.

A poor clearance from Royce allowed Bojinov to step in and strip intended recipient Doherty of the ball, playing it up into the path of Iaquinta, but Royce did magnificently well to stop his shot at the post. Regardless, the move was called back for a debatable offside on Iaquinta.

With 10mins left in the half, the home side still hadn’t fashioned a half-decent side, and it was us again as Ryan Smith, playing in the center, unleashed a fabulous throughball for Iaquinta to latch onto, but despite a great run, the Italian’s shot was once again parried to safety by Royce.

Sebastian Larsson inexplicably escaped a booking after bringing down a QPR player on the edge of the area, and Almunia rose alertly to parry away the resulting free kick into the box and clear the danger.

Immediately we were back at them, and a great combination between Larsson and Flamini allowed the latter to play Bergkamp into the box, and though the Dutch veteran’s shot was great, Royce’s save was – apparently – greater, tipping the ball away for Shimmin to hoof clear.

For the 2nd half, I dropped Bergkamp into the hole and pushed Ryan Smith up alongside Iaquinta. QPR got their first real shot at goal, when Gallen and Moore played a one-two for the latter to fire wide from outside the area.

But the half was less than 5mins old when we finally got the break our pressure deserved. Off an attacking free kick from QPR, Gonzalo cleared well for Smith to pick up and start a lightning break. He passed wide to Clichy, who cut inside and played a good ball to Bojinov, who expertly drifted past and around Doherty before beating Royce at his near post from an acute angle.

Iaquinta picked up a deep throw-in and swiveled to play a fabulous ball down the line for Smith, who galloped on goal but was too unselfish by trying to play in Clichy instead, who was too deep and wide and could only send his headed effort into the side netting.

Ljungberg replaced Iaquinta, allowing Bojinov to slot in as an out-and-out striker, and it immediately paid big dividends. The substitute delivered a corner for Smith, who played in Bojinov at the far past. The Bulgarian’s point-blank effort was repelled by Royce, but the rebound was straight back to Bojinov, who buried ruthlessly with power.

Bendtner came on for the excellent Bojinov, but it was QPR that had the next few chances, with Gallen heading wide and Moore sending a shot just over the bar.

But the killer blow was quick to arrive, as in the 80th minute Billy Jones supplied a wonderful long pass for Ryan Smith to collect and dispatch past a helpless Royce – all in one move, mind you – displaying the poise and aplomb of a veteran.

If there was indeed any tragedy for us, it’s that poor Iaquinta failed to net, despite a running, battling performance and a number of solid chances to break his duck, stretching to 7games since returning from injury, and 8 if you count before the injury. But it’ll happen soon enough. But a major positive from the game would be Ryan Smith’s exquisite performance that fully earned him his Man-of-the-Match award, despite excellent Bojinov’s brace.

Q.P.R. 0
ARSL 3 (Bojinov 50’, 72’, Ryan Smith 80’)

ARSENAL TEAM RATINGS: Manuel Almunia: 8 – Billy Jones: 8, Gonzalo: 8, Sol Campbell: 8, Sebastian Larsson: 7 – Valeri Bojinov: 9 (Nicklas Bendtner [73’]: 6), Mathieu Flamini: 8, Ryan Smith: 9, Gaël Clichy: 8 – Vincenzo Iaquinta: 7 (Fredrik Ljungberg [66’]: 7), Dennis Bergkamp: 7 (Johannes Djourou [81’]: 7)

MoM: Ryan Smith (AM LC, ST – Arsenal)

~ by savageternal on March 20, 2009.