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Shepherd’s Bush appears to be the centre of this month’s transfer market and Queen’s Park Rangers sent a tremor through Manchester City which will seriously damage their title defence.
The champions will be seven points off top if Manchester United beat Southampton on Wednesday. The gap is big, though as they proved last year, not impossible to close.
But they will try to do that without Mario Balotelli. On Tuesday night, the wayward Italian was putting the finishing touches to a £22million move to AC Milan and City are unlikely to replace him before Thursday’s deadline.
Super stopper: Julio Cesar made a vital save to deny David Silva a City winner
Stalemate: City couldn't find a way through QPR's defence and had to settle for a point
Match facts
QPR: Julio Cesar, Onuoha, Nelsen, Hill, Traore, M'Bia (Faurlin 90), Derry, Da Silva, Taarabt, Granero (Park 89), Remy (Zamora 90).
Subs not used: Green, Ben Haim, Bothroyd, Murphy.
Booked: Granero, M'Bia.
Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Lescott, Javi Garcia, Clichy, Milner (Sinclair 86), Barry, Nasri (Dzeko 58), Tevez (Rodwell 73), Silva, Aguero.
Subs not used: Pantilimon, Kolarov, Nastasic, Rekik.
Booked: Barry, Zabaleta.
Attendance: 17,894.
Referee: Phil Dowd
Balotelli has scored only once in the Barclays Premier League this season and may have become an unsettling influence but it seemed significant that a striker manager Roberto Mancini considers one of the world’s best was finalising his transfer during a goalless draw. In pure football terms, it is one fewer weapon in his duel with United.
City have not leaked a goal in January but, last night, they could not find a way past Julio Cesar, who produced a chain of wonderful stops and was protected superbly by centre halves Ryan Nelsen and Clint Hill and midfielder Shaun Derry.
Frustration boiled over when David Silva kicked out at Derry in the second half, a sign that Rangers must have been doing something right.
For QPR boss Harry Redknapp, this point will lift spirits at Loftus Road as his club go into a hectic 48 hours of shopping. Tony Fernandes was conspicuous by his empty seat in the directors’ box. He was off doing deals, according to Redknapp. Fans sang the chairman’s name and his team responded well to Saturday’s 4-2 FA Cup defeat by MK Dons.
You're not getting past me: Cesar made a number of saves to deny Roberto Mancini's side a win
Put this result alongside a draw against Tottenham and a win at Chelsea and there is clear improvement since last month’s pathetic home defeat by Liverpool.
More importantly, they have inched a point closer to safety. ‘A big point,’ nodded Redknapp, who agreed to the departure of five players before kick-off, then named two keepers among his substitutes.
Anton Ferdinand and Rob Hulse were among those to leave, for Bursaspor in Turkey and Millwall respectively and the QPR manager confessed his team will be in ‘big trouble’ if deals are not done.
All smiles: Harry Redknapp's side earned a point against the champions
A centre half is a priority. This looks likely to have been Nelsen’s final game before he takes over as head coach at MLS team Toronto.
His team-mates formed a guard of honour after the game and he waved a lingering goodbye as fans sang his name.
Redknapp’s targets include Christopher Samba, Peter Odemwingie, Rolando and Peter Crouch.
Rangers won their work permit appeal for South Korean left back Yun Suk-young which ought to see that deal completed.
Close: Pablo Zabaleta hit the bar with a header from Silva's cross in the 20th minute
Shout: Loic Remy had a penalty appeal rejected in the second half
I'm off: Mario Balotelli left for Milan and Manchester City lacked firepower at QPR
On the pitch, Rangers dropped almost instantly to defend against City on the edge of their own area, with five across midfield.
It goes against Redknapp’s instincts but this was the only way he was likely to take a point. When the managers shook hands at the end, he offered Mancini an apologetic shrug.
City feasted upon possession and Cesar, despite quaking under some early set-pieces, responded brilliantly when peppered with shots. There was a spectacular save to deny Gareth Barry in the first half and perhaps his best to thwart Silva near the end.
Sergio Aguero was restricted to attempts from around the edge of the box and Javi Garcia stormed from the back to lash narrowly wide from 45 yards.
Pablo Zabaleta hit the bar with a diving header in the first half after Silva had bewitched Fabio on the touchline and left the Brazilian seemingly stunned and unable to chase back.
Soon after, Loic Remy was released into the vast space behind City’s back four and the 19th signing in 17 months since Fernandes bought the club produced a quick shot on the spin, which clipped Garcia’s heel and flew wide.
Guest: Jamie Redknapp was at Loftus Road to see his dad's team take on City
Below par: Carlos Tevez (left), who was taken off, and Sergio Aguero (right) were both largely ineffective
Adel Taarabt then sprang from a defensive corner, picking up the ball inside his own half and carrying it towards Joe Hart’s goal at pace.
A slick stepover took him past Gael Clichy but he could not find a way past Hart, who threw up his right arm to defend his goal with an incredible save as Taarabt tried to lift the ball over him.
Disappointing: Mancini's side missed a chance to close the gap to Manchester United
‘He’s got a dry scalp,’ sang the home fans, in reference to his shampoo adverts. QPR’s confidence grew and the visitors ran out of ideas.
Mancini called for Edin Dzeko and off came Samir Nasri, but to no avail. City return to what will surely be a more boring existence without Balotelli and Rangers return to the transfer frenzy.
Farewell: QPR players formed a guard of honour for Ryan Nelsen, who is leaving Loftus Road to manage Toronto
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2270284/QPR-0-Man-City-0--match-report.html#ixzz2JQbmc1YE
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