GOOOOOOALLL WALTERS! THE FORWARD COMPLETES HIS HAT-TRICK AND SEALS THE WIN FOR STOKE! He runs into the box to decisively power home the ball after it was losely pinging around following a failed clearance! It's a perfect hat-trick today, with a right-footed goal, left-footed goal, and a header!
90'
NEARLY FROM ZAMORA! Barton's corner is played into the back post and somehow misses Zamora's head, who had risen higher than everyone else but failed to make contact! What a chance for the visitors!
89'
The visitors break down the midfield at any rate, twice through Isla, and it's taking some desperate defending in the box to keep the shots coming, with Muniesa in particular heading away several crosses, with the most important of those coming off a diving defensive action with Zamora lurking just behind!
88'
Just two minutes plus stoppages remain here, and Stoke remain in the lead after this second half has failed to produce a goal for either side. QPR continue to press incessantly, looking for the equalizer, but Stoke are doing better now to clog the midfield and keep the visitors back.
86'
Fer whips the ball on goal, and it swerves towards the right post, but Begovic gets down low and decisively to powerfully parry the ball out for a corner! A very, very solid save from the Stoke keeper.
85'
J. Walters gets yellow.
Crouch nearly pulls off a fantastic solo move as he races down the flank and tries to work his way down the goal-line but prods the ball over. Seconds later, Walters pushes over Hoilett and enters the book for his trouble, giving QPR yet another free-kick that they can play into Stoke's box!
84'
And it's very, very poor from Wilson, who's had a very quiet game today and hoofs a cross only into the arms of Green. The fans voice their displeasure at the side losing the ball so easily when possession has been rare in the last spell of the game.
83'
Zamora leads a supber counter, cutting inside from the flank and trying to make something happen with Vargas, but the latter player loses the ball and Stoke collect and try to calm down play.
82'
It's floated in well by Vargas who finds the head of Dunne but the defender's awkward header fizzles past the far post. QPR are knocking on the verge of their first away point in the league this season but simply cannot finish their chances!
81'
There's been a lot of joy down the left flank for QPR, though they work it into the centre via Barton and Hoilett; the former is fouled by Adam, who just bundled into the player, and QPR have yet another free-kick just outside of Stoke's box, though this time it's to the right.
Minute
Description
80'
Aye, there's been a nasty clash of heads and Austin is forced off the pitch of his own accord as he's bleeding from around his temple. For the time being, the visitors are down a man until the medical team can stop the flow.
79'
That effort has really energized the visitors who are looking more and more dangerous as time ticks away. Zamora tries twice in rapid succession to complete a cross in the box but fails, and Dunne does very well to slide and win the ball off of Crouch as Stoke countered dangerously!
77'
BARTON HITS THE UPRIGHT! A matter of centimetres has kept Stoke in the lead, with Barton's effort truly fantastic, beating Begovic, and smashing the frame of the goal before bouncing away!
76'
QPR have a free-kick just outside of Stoke's box! Muniesa looks like he clipped the front of Barton's boot as he went to shoot the ball, though the home side is arguing there was very minimal contact and the former Newcastle man has made too much of the challenge. Nevertheless, the call stands!
75'
Yun Suk-Young enters the game and replaces C. Hill.
A left-back substitution from Redknapp, taking out Hill for Yun. A Stoke throw-in bobbles around the midfield before QPR settle and play it to the substitute, whose first pass is short and successful to keep possession with his side.
72'
C. Adam enters the game and replaces S. Ireland.
N'Zonzi finds Whelan who plays it around to Ireland on the other end of the box, who sends a fantastic cross in towards Crouch that the tall man just can't redirect on target! It's Ireland's final involvement as he comes off for Adam after a very, very good performance today!
71'
Barton whips in a corner after winning it himself, after his shot was deflected out of the box, but it's a poor effort that's easily cleared. Walters puts Green under immense pressure on the counter and forces the goalkeeper to pass it out of bounds.
70'
Hoilett comes on for Kranjcar, who has faded in this match despite a bright and lively start. Moses once again is working his magic down the left, sending in a smart ball for Ireland who tries to take it down but fails to. Seconds later, the former Manchester City man thinks he's clear through in the box but he's well offside and the lineman duly flags him.
68'
J. Barton gets yellow.
J. Hoilett enters the game and replaces N. Kranjčar.
Barton enters the book now, becoming the third player to do so today, after running through the back of Ireland after Austin lost his side the ball with a poor pass directly out of bounds.
67'
Stoke work the ball forward well and N'Zonzi decides to try an effort at goal from about 20 yards out, in a central position, though it's a tame effort truly and fails to trouble Green.
66'
Zamora does all he can to try and keep Wollscheid's pass from going out as nearly his whole side pressed forward on the counter but he's unable to do so. Walters goes down soon after and the ball is now back in the hands of the home side.
64'
Moses is showing the defensive side of his game as he hounds Isla deep in Stoke's half to prevent the former Juventus man from whipping a cross into the box. His tenacity pays off as the ball is deflected out and soon Stoke are able to go forward with possession.
63'
P. Crouch enters the game and replaces M. Arnautović.
Arnautovic trying to turn provider there, prodding the ball with the outside of his right boot to try and send a pass through for Walters. It's his last touch of the game in what's been a very lively affair for him as Crouch comes on in his place.
61'
QPR are sustaining pressure well now and not allowing Stoke the kind of time and freedom they had in the first half. This is a markedly improved performance but without another goal to show for it as Stoke continue to try and reassert their dominance.
60'
Austin tries a cheeky touch to work his way around the Stoke defence but it's a little too cheeky and costs his side possession. Moses counters and loops a cross into QPR's box that Green rises high to collect; the game is nearly end-to-end at this point as Zamora races onto Barton's solid through pass but the ball is deflected off his knee from Wollscheid's challenge in the box.
58'
V. Moses gets yellow.
Moses is booked for diving after going down far too easily, not really fooling anyone there. He seemed to have lost the ball and without much else to do, dramatically falls over and is duly booked.
56'
OH MY AND WHAT A SAVE FROM BEGOVIC! Vargas reacts superbly to contort his body into an overhead kick after Fer's free-kick just outside of Stoke's box is deflected into his path. Luckily for Stoke, it goes very close to Begovic who can parry it away!
55'
Walters is in some pain as he stood too close to Green, who was taking a drop-kick clearance, and smashed the ball into the back of the forward's head. He looks alright to play on though!
54'
Isla does all he can to spread a pass before Moses can race onto it, and it sparks a QPR counter that ends when Muniesa races to clear a ball in the box that was just about to reach Fer.
53'
OOHHHHH NEARLY SOMETHING THERE! Bardsley's effort goes over the wall and nearly dips into the net but just lands on the roof of the goal! Kranjcar races down the other end and tries his own shot but it, too, is just too high to really trouble Begovic.
51'
These opening minutes have been very even for both sides, but Fer presents Stoke with another free-kick after raising his boot far too high trying to win the ball and hitting Bardsley in the head. There's no malicious intent in it, but Fer might consider himself lucky to not be booked.
50'
And it falls back to Vargas after a fantastic pass from Fer finds him running towards the edge of the Stoke box; the wide player tries to take a shot quickly and sends a very disappointing effort far too high!
49'
That's absolutely fantastic from Moses, who beats Barton and Isla on the left flank and wins a very deep throw-in. Vargas, who's had a quiet game, helps to clear, and QPR roam on the counter.
48'
Barton commits a foul on Bardsley for a free-kick to Stoke, which Moses plays well into QPR's box and Dunne heads out for Isla to clear!
47'
Stoke surge forward in familiar fashion, with Arnautovic racing down his flank, taking on his man, and then prodding the ball a bit too far as he lost his step for a goal-kick to the visitors.
46'
B. Zamora enters the game and replaces K. Henry.
The second half kicks off with Zamora coming on for the visitors in place of Henry, who of course was at fault for Stoke's opening goal. The home side kick off, lose the ball quickly, and then Whelan fouls Fer trying to win it back. The ensuing free-kick is played into the box, cleared, and Barton's shot from outside the box goes nowhere near the net.
45' +3
Ohhhh and Stoke doing everything there except for scoring! Arnautovic is in the box, he flicks it down to Walters, who lays it off for Moses, whose shot is blocked! It's the last meaningful play of the half as the whistle is blown seconds later, as Stoke head into the locker rooms ahead 2-1.
45' +1
Moses and Walters play a fantastic give-and-go for the former to get the ball on the edge of the area, run onto the pass, and fire an excellent shot that goes just over the bar! Two more minutes of injury time here and the entertainment keeps on coming!
44'
Muniesa's first involvement is to send a ball over the top of the defence for Arnautovic but the pass is too heavy and rolls out of play for a Green goal-kick.
43'
A very ambitious cross into Stoke's box from Dunne, who sends a looping ball centrally into the arms of Begovic. Seconds later, Austin and Begovic are getting very heated in the box as Wollscheid has been knocked over by QPR's number nine, though the centre-back has certainly made a meal of what was truly minimal and routine contact from the striker.
42'
Muniesa enters the game and replaces R. Shawcross.
Awful scenes on the pitch as Shawcross is down again. He tried to play on but takes off his armband, throws it to his teammates, and then gingerly walks off. Muneisa comes on in his place.
40'
And indeed Shawcross comes back onto the pitch as play continues. Stoke are pouring forward in search of another goal but Green jumps to collect an errant high pass and Ireland is offside soon after.
39'
Stoke's captain is being evaluated on the pitch and is able to stand up. He walks off and Muniesa is warming up on the sidelines but it looks as though he'll be able to continue.
37'
That QPR goal was a well-worked play, starting with a throw-in deep in Stoke's half that was sent back to the defence before being passed down the middle. The home side have more to worry about now as well, with Shawcross down and looking like he's in some pain.
36'
N. Kranjčar has scored a goal for Queens Park Rangers!
QPR WITH AN ALMOST IMMEDIATE ANSWER! KRANJCAR PULLS ONE BACK! It's calamitous defending from Stoke in their own box as Barton slots it to Austin, who's shot is deflected off of the foot of Bardsley and falls kindly to the number 19, who's all alone and makes no mistake from such a close range! 2-1 AND GAME ON!
34'
J. Walters has scored a goal for Stoke City! Assist by S. Ireland.
WALTERS DOUBLES STOKE'S LEAD! IT'S HIS SECOND OF THE MATCH! And Stoke showing a different side today as they ripped apart QPR's defence twice there - once to set Ireland free down the left, and then from Ireland himself who squared it perfectly to the onrushing Walters to fire past Green and into the far post! QPR are in serious, serious trouble now!
33'
Arnautovic soon has yet another chance just moments after his last shot, racing into the box and ripping a shot that sails over the bar. Stoke continue to knock on the door of a second goal but without better shooting, their fantastic build-up play is resulting only in poor efforts.
32'
Wollscheid's pass towards Walters is intercepted by Hill but that doesn't stem the tide of Stoke's attack as Moses once again is able to beat his man and get into the box, crossing for Arnautovic to take down and fire but his shot hits the body of the nearest defender!
31'
Barton shows some flair to keep Fer's pass with two Stoke players surrounding him, but the visitors look very shorn of confidence as the ball is played to Dunne who struggles to control it and plays it out for a deep Stoke throw-in.
29'
Dunne is forced to run back towards Green and play a quick pass to him for the keeper to clear before Walters can intercept. QPR think they have an opportunity on the other end but Barton's committed a foul in the buildup and the whistle is blown for a Stoke free-kick.
28'
Moses plays a looping ball deep in the box that Hill heads out for yet another corner, which is worked out of the box for Ireland to smash onto net but his shot goes wide of the far post! This is truly exciting build-up play from the home side who look like a second goal is just a matter of time, now!
27'
After a couple of minutes where neither side can seem to hold the ball, Arnautovic is once against set free down the left flank due to a fantastic pass - this time, a dinked ball over the top from Ireland. The wide man wins another corner for the home side, with the fans really being heard now.
25'
OH AND NEARLY ANOTHER! Moses himself takes the free-kick and it's a truly inviting one, looking destined for the top corner before it bends just a moment too soon and fizzes away!
24'
M. Isla gets yellow.
Isla with a very poor challenge on Moses, sliding into the back of the player and missing the ball entirely just outside of QPR's box, and he's duly booked.
23'
Stoke with a gorgeous play to nearly double their lead! N'Zonzi plays a fantastic through ball down the flank to Arnautovic, who's all by himself, races to the byline, and tries to cross it in for Walters, but Dunne rises high to get his head on it first!
21'
J. Walters has scored a goal for Stoke City! Assist by S. Ireland.
GOALLLL WALTERS! STOKE ARE IN THE LEAD!!! And it's a howler from Henry, an absolute gift! Henry lets the ball run past him after failing to control it, just outside of his own box; Ireland steals possession and backheels it to Walters, who races into the box and confidently slots it into the far post! 1-0 to Stoke!
20'
Bardsley plays a throw-in short to Whelan, who passes it back for his teammates to work around to the other side before quickly slotting it towards Walters, who was offside. Free-kick for QPR which Green is coming out of his box to take.
18'
An excellent, driving run from Moses takes him deep into enemy territory and forces Fer to knock the ball out for a corner. He takes the corner himself, delivering it to the near post for Kranjcar to head clear.
16'
Arnautovic finds himself up against Hill on the edge of the box after a fantastic pass from Wollscheid found the winger in some space. He confidently tries to dribble to the byline but his touch is poor and the ball drifts over the line!
15'
The visitors now are trying to dictate the game on calmer terms, playing it around the back before seeing Begovic on the edge of his box to collect a stray forward pass sent the way of Austin.
13'
The delivery is similarly disappointing, with Moses failing to beat the first man as his effort is cleared out of the box. QPR soon collect and Dunne launches it up towards Austin, but N'Zonzi's body gets in the way to give a throw-in to the visitors by the halfway line.
12'
A fantastic pass from the spinning and falling Arnautovic to find Bardsley racing down the left flank. It's Kranjcar who soon fouls him, with the number 19 very involved in this opening spell, and now Stoke have a free-kick in a nearly identical manner as QPR had just a minute ago.
11'
Hill and Arnautovic tangle arms on the side, just after the former sent in a solid cross that was cleared right back to him. It's a free-kick now to the visitors, who are going to send it directly into the box... but Kranjcar loops it far too high and it goes out of play on the other side of the goal!
9'
Stoke are getting the ball forward well now in good areas, just outside of QPR's box, but are having trouble sending the proper pass in to penetrate the backline. Green is seeing more of the ball as well but mostly just in the form of goal-kicks.
8'
Kranjcar waltzes forward, trying to break through Stoke's backline, but shows too much of the ball to his adversaries. Dunne is called into a smart clearance on the other side of the pitch that Moses slots forward for Isla to shepard out ahead of Ireland.
6'
The home side now build down their left flank, flowing back and forth before Moses can't get on the end of a pass. QPR's throw-in is rendered useless almost immediately as Stoke collect and the midfield now is quickly becoming difficult for both sides to get past as Kranjcar shows Ireland with a well-timed sliding tackle.
5'
Fer takes a QPR free-kick quickly, to the side's own detriment, as Stoke race to collect possession and race forward. In these opening moments the game has been frantic, with many pauses for goal-kicks and to allow the ball to come back in from out of play.
3'
Dunne trundles over Walters, giving Stoke a free-kick from about halfway into QPR territory. Arnautovic decides to play a zippy ball, somewhere between a shot and a cross, right into the area, and it fizzes wide of teammates and the near post. A puzzling effort.
1'
And we have kick-off! The visitors take a very early, very bold pass forward that goes right out of bounds, and soon Green has possession as the home men try something similar. An ambitious opening, if not slightly sloppy, form both sides.
Hello and welcome to our live match coverage of Stoke vs QPR! It's 11th against 19th in round 23 of the Premier League today for two teams in very different form. The visitors will be hoping to capitalize on a major absence for the home side in order to gain their very first away points all season!
Even with Bojan, however, Stoke's home form has been indifferent at best. They've won four, lost four, and drawn twice at the Britannia this season, notching just twelve goals in the process. Bojan however has been a big part of Stoke's successes: he scored in four of the five matches they've won in the Premier League.
Of course, the biggest news in terms of this match is that it'll be Stoke's first without Bojan Krkic, who suffered a season-ending cruciate ligament injury during their last match in the F.A. Cup. It comes as a mighty blow to the home side who saw the former Barcelona man truly growing in confidence and stature throughout the season.
Devastating as the loss and injury are for Stoke, QPR will be hoping to use the opportunity to break their run of 10 away matches without a single point so far this season. They haven't won at home since December 20th and have taken just two points from their last five matches in all competitions.
QPR's biggest problem right now might just be scoring goals. Not only have they notched just three in their last five league matches, but they have just five away from home all season! They seem to have found some consistency recently however, scoring once in each of their last three against Everton, Arsenal, Burnley.
The teams are lining up in the tunnels about to come onto the pitch for the pre-match ceremonies! We're just three minutes away from kick-off now!
Moses tries to launch a counter-attack but is determined to have fouled Dunne after the defender hooked the ball away from him. No card is given - luckily for the winger - and QPR now have a free-kick in their own half.
The scoreline flatters the visitors, who have truly been quite dire, with a defence that simply cannot contain Arnautovic, Moses and Walters, and who are lucky to only be one goal down. Harry Redknapp will want to use that gap to remind his side they can really only be better and they need just one more goal to turn this around.
Stoke, meanwhile, have been effervescent at times and should be ahead by more, but poor finishing and one mistake at the back have been costly. Nevertheless, they're still in the lead and just need to keep doing what they've been in order to secure the win today.
THAT'S THE MATCH! Walters is the difference today as Mark Hughes' men show there can be victory without Bojan and continue their march into the top half of the table. It's been a rather solid performance for them, despite a dip in the second half.
Meanwhile, QPR have just recorded their eleventh straight away loss in the Premier League and still have not won a single point on the road. Relegation is becoming a real concern; despite their efforts today, especially in the second half, they continue to have nothing to show for it. Thank you for joining us here!
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