Premier League: QPR stun Chelsea to boost survival hopes

Jan 03, 2013
Premier League: QPR stun Chelsea to boost survival hopes
QPR manager Harry Redknapp says his side's win over Chelsea on Wednesday showed they have what it takes to stay in the Premier League. The Rangers ended a three-game losing streak with Wednesday's shock 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge, but remain bottom of the table, five points from safety. "After Sunday's defeat by Liverpool it was difficult to convince anyone we could survive," said Redknapp. "But the players have set the standard with this win and to get out of this mess they have to do it every week." QPR were totally outplayed last weekend as they were well beaten by the Reds at Loftus Road, conceding three goals in the first 30 minutes. QPR's victory against Chelsea was their first in a Premier League London derby away from home since Les Ferdinand scored twice in a 3-1 win over Wimbledon in March 1995, with Ian Holloway getting Rangers' other goal that day. It also was their first Premier League win at Stamford Bridge since March 1979, when Paul Goddard, Glenn Roeder and Martyn Busby scored in another 3-1 win. Both Rangers and Chelsea were relegated from the former First Division that season. On Wednesday QPR produced a great defensive performance, denying Chelsea a deserved goal before snatching all the three points through a late Shaun Wright-Phillips goal. "That was our first away win in the league since October 2011 and let's hope we can build on it. There's still a long way to go but that was encouraging," added Redknapp. "The players worked their socks off and they got their rewards. We deserved it and it was a fantastic performance. We had a good meeting after the Liverpool match and I convinced the players we can stay up. Everybody else thought I was mad but I do genuinely believe it. We're not doomed, we can turn it around." Redknapp hopes victory over their west London rivals will be a boost for their survival bid. "If we keep working hard for the rest of the season we'll win games away and at home," he explained. "We have to make the most of that. The atmosphere in the changing room after the Chelsea win was fantastic, it's the first time I've really experienced that here. I said to coach Joe Jordan after the game, 'I cant remember having many better games than this one'. Chelsea were absolutely flying and we did it on the back of that Liverpool defeat." QPR meet Tottenham at home in their next Premier League match, on January 14, here are the odds for the game from Bet365: QPR win - 16/5 Draw - 13/5 Tottenham win - 5/6
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