MATCH REPORT: QPR 0 Norwich City 0 (Saturday 16 October 2010)

London has not often proved prosperous for Norwich City who, before returning to the Championship by winning at Charlton in April, had won just five times in the capital since 1999. Although Norwich did not make it seven today, they acquitted themselves well in an intriguing tactical battle with League leaders Queens Park Rangers, suggesting that their place atop the play-off positions is not undeserved.

Both teams lined up with a diamond formation that placed attacking emphasis on deep-lying forwards: QPR’s Adel Taarabt and Norwich’s Wes Hoolahan. It soon became clear why Rangers manager Neil Warnock allows Taarabt such freedom: although not fully fit, the Moroccan constantly threatened during the first twenty minutes, but Norwich’s tactic of not man-marking Taarabt, instead cutting his passes, successfully prevented him and prolific forwards Heiðar Helguson and Jamie Mackie from piercing City’s defence. The loss of Hungarian international Ákos Buzsáky deprived QPR of an alternative creative outlet: Warnock sent on defender-turned-midfielder Mikele Leigertwood, allowing City’s back four, particularly left-back Adam Drury, to nullify Taarabt effectively.

Andrew Crofts, at the base of Norwich’s diamond, not only protected the burgeoning centre-back partnership of the subtle Elliott Ward and the stronger Leon Barnett but also provided a starting point for their infrequent attacks. Paul Lambert’s side looked over-reliant on Hoolahan, with last season’s top scorer Grant Holt dropping deeper than usual, but it was Holt who won a penalty on 28 minutes, going to ground under Clint Hill’s push following Hoolahan’s cross. Hoolahan, however, never looked like scoring, a nervous run-up producing a shot scuffed well wide.

This proved Norwich’s best chance of extending a run of scoring in their last 32 away games: this was their first scoreless away result since Lambert, whose stock continues to rise, took over. As the rain eased in the second half, Norwich had their best spell of possession, but Holt’s failure to lead the line or supply the pacy Simeon Jackson, combined with the inability of midfielders Simon Lappin and Korey Smith to create space for Hoolahan (replaced by Chris Martin after seventy minutes), meant that they created few clear-cut chances against a side yet to concede at home this season.

With Taarabt fading and replaced by Tommy Smith, QPR tested Norwich with accurate crosses, especially after Drury limped off, but Mackie and Helguson rarely stretched visiting goalkeeper John Ruddy. They nearly regretted their profligacy when a curiously slow move resulted in Jackson putting Holt through: after taking what felt an age to latch onto the pass, Holt took one touch too many before firing wide.

Ruddy made a late stop from Smith and Andrew Crofts cleared off the goal-line to prevent QPR taking all three points, stalemate a fair result between two solid sides who struggled for attacking ideas when their playmakers were neutralised. QPR have been linked with 36-year-old World Cup winner Robert Pirès: if fit and on form, the ex-Arsenal winger could provide the necessary spark to maintain Rangers’ four-point lead at the Championship summit.