Sunday Premier League Review: Remy wonder strike not enough for R's; Spurs, Everton go toe-to-toe; Cisse sends fans and Pardew into pandemonium

By Peter Wells:

There's just something about football on Sunday's. I can't quite figure out what it is, but somehow Sunday football always feels that extra bit special. In all fairness when there are five games spanned out over four and a half hours none stop, its hard not to feel the full array of emotions for a sport that can bring out every single one of those emotions in a person in just 90 minutes.

For those QPR fans, they were put through every emotion ever created during their heart breaking 1-1 draw with Wigan. It was a breath taking 6 pointer, which had all the ingredients of a fairy tale ending for QPR's season. That was until a last gasp Shaun Maloney free-kick scuppered a sensational victory. Bobby Zamora was sent off after just over 20 minutes and now QPR's chances of survival look as ridiculous as Zamora's challenge.

A decent start from QPR saw Remy strike the post with Joel beaten, before Zamora saw red in more ways than one, when from a Wigan throw-in he attempted to intercept the ball which was at head height, and inevitably caught Jordi Gomez on the side of the head. Zamora was sent to the dressing room while Gomez was left with a bad head and constant booing from the home fans.

Wigan then controlled the ball, but lacked the urgency needed from a team still deep in a relegation battle. Then in the 2nd half QPR took over, they showed greater urgency and much greater quality, but as the minutes ticked by the less likely a winner looked. But then with 5 minutes to go, on the counter attack, Remy needed just one touch with the inside of his foot to launch the ball into the top corner of the net. From the edge of the area the technique was simply amazing, and what a winner it could have been.

But that wasn't it, because when Mbia - who had an amazing game - committed a foul just outside the area, Wigan were handed a final chance to steal 2 points away from QPR. Maloney stepped up and curled over the wall and past Cesar. Had Adel Taarabt stood tall the free-kick would have likely been deflected over but the star player ducked out the way of the ball. To put it simply, if you don't want to take a hit to the face, DONT stand in the wall.

When discussing emotion, none gets greater than the emotion showed by fans, players and manager alike when Papiss Cisse scored a 93rd minute winner for Newcastle to send them 5 points clear of the drop zone. Newcastle's ace had been trying all game to find the goal, but things just didn't seem to be going his way. That was until he took the ball wonderfully, spun around and poked the ball beyond Schwarzer. Cisse sprinted and dived into the crowd, and then the camera's all turned to Alan Pardew who himself sprinted over to the fans by the dug out and bear hugged the first person in the crowd he could see. It was a wonderful sight, the sight of pure joy, a sight we see so often in football, but seeing a manager celebrating in the crowd is something of an anomaly. Sadly the ridiculous rules meant that Papiss Cisse received a yellow card for his celebrations. Football is full of emotions yet when a player shares the joy with his loyal fans he gets cautioned. As a fan what the FA call over-celebrating is exactly what every football fan loves to see. Cisse may have received a booking but he will also receive a lot of respect for showing how much the fans mean to him.

Paulo Di Canio's first game in charge at Sunderland couldn't have gone much better in the first half. Azpilicueta deflected the ball into his own net and the Black Cats were well worth their lead. But Rafa's men came out flying to start the 2nd and a Kilgallon own goal, and a brilliant piece of improvisation from Ivanovic turned the game around. Sunderland showed little in the 2nd half but can take enough from the 1st 45 minutes to believe they can stay up. A win against Newcastle next week will certainly give them a much needed confidence boost.

Tottenham and Everton served up a cracker in a 2-2 draw, which saw Adabayor score within 30 seconds. Everton levelled through Jagielka, before Miralles' mazy run and quality finish gave them the lead. But with a few minutes to go Sigurdson tapped home a rebound and saved Spurs while also denting Everton's Champions League hopes in an action packed game.

Finally Liverpool and West Ham were involved in an entertaining 0-0 draw, which left both sets of supporters unsatisfied. Liverpool dominated and had the bulk of the chances, but West Ham could have stolen all 3 points when Lucas cleared Collison's header off the line.

Fulham 3 QPR 2: First half calamity leaves Rangers in desperate trouble

By Peter Wells:

If seasons could be defined by one match, then last nights 3-2 defeat for Queens Park Rangers would be the perfect definition of their second spell in the Premier League. Defensively appalling, midfield lacking creation, and the strikers seeing too little of the ball. That was the first half, yet the second defined their season even better as a whole. They showed that sometimes they can play, and that the midfield does not lack the creation required of a team paying such high wages. Yet that's it, isn't it. QPR fans have been teased all season with the teams potential, yet the players do not produce the goods on a regular enough basis. Now Rangers sit dauntingly 7 points below the red line, but unlike Reading are not yet being written off. Its not only that QPR have the favourable fixture list, but also because of those rare occasions when they show the footballing world what they are capable of. When they do this they are hard to write off, but no one can deny the task set for Harry Redknapp is looking bleaker and bleaker.

The game could not have started any worse for Redknapp's side when Christopher Samba tripped Dejagah in the area, conceding a 7th minute penalty. Berbatov was the man to step up and take, and with the confidence only Berbatov possesses, he tucked it into the back of the net, giving Rangers an unwanted mountain to climb.

That mountain was getting steeper as the half went on, Fulham were in control and QPR looked lost at sea. Ruiz headed a corner just wide of the far post before a Fulham free kick almost found its way into the QPR goal. Then on 22 minutes, another Samba mistake allowed Berbatov to score his and Fulham's second of the game. Samba was caught stalling with the ball at his feet in his own penalty area and when he lost the ball Berbatov was there to place the ball past Cesar.

QPR then managed to find a way back into the game. Down the right they looked dangerous all night, yet lacked the final ball, Bosingwa was the guilty party on more than a few occasions. Remy and Townsend were looking most likely to find the net for QPR but neither did.

Instead it was QPR defender Clint Hill who found the net next, but it was the wrong net as far as Rangers were concerned.

QPR looked dead and buried, that was until a slip in the Fulham defence released Taarabt who fired home from the edge of the area, a minute before the break. Suddenly the game was back on, despite Fulham's utter dominance.

Remy ran straight at the Fulham defence to start the second half, and fired a shot which was deflected wide with just 10 seconds gone. Then after sustained QPR pressure, Taarabt was clumsily brought down in the penalty area, for the second penalty of the game. Remy stepped up, and Schwarzer saved, before Duff cleared - it has to be said Duff got their first because he started running before the penalty was taken, as did everyone else. It was a crucial opportunity missed for Rangers and one they are now ruing.

Just a few minutes later Remy made up for his missed penalty, with a sumptuous first touch to take it into the area before blasting it over Schwarzer and into the roof of the net. Townsend and Zamora had shots well saved by Schwarzer as Fulham looked ragged while QPR were purring.

More chances came QPR's way before Sidwell was showed a straight red for a lunging tackle on Traore. It looked a harsh decision at first but on second look, Sidwell caught the QPR left back on the ankle and it was a very rash tackle.

Rangers pressed but failed to find the one good opening they were craving, and were rewarded with nothing but "good efforts" for their spirited fightback.

Fulham can now put any lingering relegation worries to bed with that win, and after their first half performance, most people would agree the result was justified.

Next Sunday's game at home to Wigan, has just become QPR's make or break game. A win and there is still hope, while a defeat and there is no question that they are heading for the drop. So more crucial matches for QPR, but if they are to go down, then its calamitous defending like at Craven Cottage that has been the thorn in their side.