Reading 0-0 QPR

By Neil JohnstonBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments571

Reading and QPR down after draw

Reading and Queens Park Rangers were relegated to the Championship after a scrappy goalless draw between the Premier League's bottom two clubs.

Royals striker Pavel Pogrebnyak was denied by Jose Bosingwa's clearance off the line before the Russian fired just wide after Jobi McAnuff's pass.

Esteban Granero clipped the bar for Harry Redknapp's QPR in a game lacking in quality at the Madejski Stadium.

We killed each other off - Redknapp

And both teams will play next season in the second tier after poor campaigns.

Reading and QPR have been flirting with relegation all season yet their fate is now sealed.

Even if they win their remaining three games they can only reach a maximum of 34 points.

Aston Villa, 17th in the table, are currently on 34 points, but for Villa to lose all of their remaining games would involve 18th-placed Wigan, who they meet on the final day, finishing on a minimum of 35 points.

The final whistle was greeted by some jeers by the home fans while QPR owner Tony Fernandes, who sacked Mark Hughes in November after a dreadful start to the season and has invested more than £50m in transfers since last July, cut a frustrated figure in the main stand.

Redknapp has been planning behind the scenes for life in the Championship for some time, but the QPR manager will have been encouraged by his team's first-half showing.

Jermaine Jenas, Granero and Jay Bothroyd all had chances to mark their return to the side with a goal as Redknapp made five changes after the 2-0 home defeat to Stoke in the previous game.

After Jenas had fired wildly over the bar from 20 yards, former Real Madrid player Granero clipped the top of bar from the same distance in the 12th minute.

And former Cardiff forward Bothroyd also went within a whisker of breaking the deadlock after lifting the ball over goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, who was well off his line, only for it to bounce narrowly wide of the target.

It was not until the final minute of the first half that McCarthy's opposite number Robert Green was tested, the Hoops keeper beating away McAnuff's attempt.

Adkins looking to bounce back

Moments earlier Pogrebnyak had been denied by a clearance off the line by Bosingwa, who has gone from Champions League winner with Chelsea to the Championship in the space of 12 months.

The second half was not much better in terms of quality between two teams who have managed just nine league wins between them.

In arguably the move of the match, Pogrebnyak sped past Bosingwa and cut inside the area before bending a shot just wide after McAnuff's clever pass.

This time last year it was all smiles at the Madejski Stadium as the club celebrated promotion to the top flight.

But there was an air of resignation in the penultimate home match.

Substitute Adam Le Fondre should have scored in the closing stages while Sean Morrison's powerful header was tipped over by Green.

There was still time for Bothroyd to win it but his finish was not clinical enough, the story of QPR's season.

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571 comments

  • Comment posted by U15093012, at 16:07 28 Apr 2013

    Can't quite believe what happened at the end there, Rob Green was time wasting with the goal kick knowing his team were on the brink of going down. Redknapp and Jose bosingwa laughing their heads of at the end.
    Do these so called "professionals" have any pride. None of them seem to care. QPR will have massive problems selling some of their players, at least Reading can rebuild sensibly

  • Comment posted by U14377506, at 16:07 28 Apr 2013

    Pundit: (crying) Harry, they let you down today.
    Redknapp: Yeh, mate. Hughsie's fault, we all know that.
    Pundit: (sobbing) But, you're still the best manager in the world.
    Redknapp: Cheers, mate. Still, that's life.
    Pundit: (Wailing) What next, Harry?
    Redknapp: Well, the West Ham job would be lovely if it was available.
    Pundit: You'd be great at that.
    Redknapp: And they've got a few bob to spend!

  • Comment posted by U15607207, at 17:26 28 Apr 2013

    Comments saying "If Villa and Wigan lose all their games"
    An interesting idea with just one problem, Villa play Wigan on the last day.

  • Comment posted by StVitus, at 17:28 28 Apr 2013

    Maybe the BBC should put para 7 in bold red 20 point type so that people will get it. At the same time they can fix their rating system so I can rate down the people who still think it's mathematically possible for QPR or Reading to survive.

  • Comment posted by U15707688, at 16:02 28 Apr 2013

    I hope QPR's relegation proves a point that money doesn't mean success.

  • Comment posted by U14945203, at 16:02 28 Apr 2013

    Bosignwa laughing as he walked down the tunnel- that just sums up QPR in one moment.
    A collection of vastly over paid and over rated mercenaries, who had zero regard for the club and its fans. Redknapp is just as bad, watch him try and worm his way out now.

  • Comment posted by Al the Tiger, at 15:57 28 Apr 2013

    I have more sympathy for Reading going down than QPR.

  • Comment posted by U14638038, at 16:09 28 Apr 2013

    Wigan play Villa. Ignore all the other fixtures.

    If Wigan win they will have 35pts.

    If Villa win they will have 37pts.

    If they draw Villa will have 35pts.

    Thats why both are relegated today.

  • Comment posted by JCnova69, at 16:24 28 Apr 2013

    Excuse me, Mr Johnson but only QPR had a poor season. Reading were always underdogs in this league just because they didn't have the quality in the squad but yet they pushed above their weight. They even had their moments against the big teams like when they beat Chelsea or gave Man United a run for their money. Well done Reading, hope you fight for promotion again next season

  • Comment posted by U15602073, at 16:16 28 Apr 2013

    @13 Money

    Well done on getting your A Level it's clearly helped you mug yourself off in front of hundreds of people.

    "I feel sorry who can't add" - Self pity then? Or just ignorance of how football points work?

    #QPRAREDOWN

  • Comment posted by whatyousay, at 17:44 28 Apr 2013

    Harry rednapp, YOU LEGEND!!! At his post match interview has the guts to say :hope to sign one or 2 players without breaking the bank" HAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHA, should have been a comedian

  • Comment posted by Dudarben, at 16:37 28 Apr 2013

    Bosingwa and Harry were laughing at a funny joke...... QPRs players.

  • Comment posted by U15684784, at 17:13 28 Apr 2013

    QPR have a Premier League squad, but not a Premier League team

  • Comment posted by Andy S, at 15:57 28 Apr 2013

    Just to clarify for the people who are pointing out that both teams are 9 points from safety, Wigan and Villa have to play each other on the last day of the season meaning whatever happens one of those teams will be on at least 35 points. Reading and QPR can only get a maximum of 34.

  • Comment posted by JB, at 16:12 28 Apr 2013

    @13 Money...you must be feeling embarrassed from your comment!! It's you who can't add! When Villa play Wigan, they can't both lose!! QPR ARE DOWN! FACT.

  • Comment posted by Bill Walker, at 16:43 28 Apr 2013

    Reading, like Southampton a decade or so ago, are a premiership and a half team, not quite good enough to stay up, but antop Championship side. They'll be back in a while. Harry, on the other hand, has taken more people down than the captain of the Titanic.

  • Comment posted by U15054670, at 16:13 28 Apr 2013

    Re 13 Money. What examining body did you take your Maths paper with? As 38 quite rightly pointed out, no hope now for Reading or QPR

  • Comment posted by El Matador, at 15:56 28 Apr 2013

    I'm so happy that QPR have gone down. Indifferent about Reading, they just weren't strong enough to compete with the mid-lower table.

    Wonder where all of QPR's mercenaries will go to next season? Good riddance

  • Comment posted by U15078702, at 18:45 28 Apr 2013

    Redkanpp - The thinking mans idiot.

  • Comment posted by U15214095, at 17:22 28 Apr 2013

    Lawrenson still has QPR winning in his predictions! According to him they should now be pushing for a CL spot.

    He's about as informed as everyone saying that the teams are not mathematically relegated yet. I just hope you guys do more reading/research before voting!!!

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