The Bristol Post view of the match - I wasn't aware that they had a goal ruled out in the first half.
QPR 1 Bristol City 0: Five things we learned as Idrissa Sylla's goal sank the Robins at Loftus Road
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Lee Tomlin in action for Bristol City at Queens Park Rangers last night
WITHOUT a win at Loftus Road in 14 attempts dating back nearly 40 years,
Bristol City experienced an all-too familiar sinking feeling at Queens Park Rangers.
Beaten by Idrissa Sylla's 75th minute strike, the Robins will no doubt be relieved they do not have to return to this part of West London again this season.
Read more: Queens Park Rangers 1 Bristol City 0 REPORT: Sylla ensures Robins' wait for Loftus Road win goes on
But the Robins will know the outcome could have been altogether different had they taken their chances in front of goal.
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1 City had reason to feel hard done by – for the second time in five days
If Lee Johnson felt his side had been hard done by in last week's 2-1 defeat at Cardiff, he had even more reason to complain on this occasion. City's head coach felt Bluebirds winger Craig Noone should have been flagged offside before winning the penalty that enabled Cardiff to score first in the Welsh capital last Friday. His frustration knew no bounds when Lee Tomlin had an apparently bona fide goal ruled out midway through the first half at Loftus Road. Put clean through by Gary O'Neil's lofted pass, the midfielder beat Rangers keeper Alex Smithies with a measured shot, only for his celebrations to be cut short by a raised linesman's flag. Having watched a video replay of the incident, Johnson took issue with the decision of referee Andrew Madley to disallow the goal for offside. As Johnson rightly pointed out, had City gone ahead at that stage in the proceedings, it could have had a profound influence on the final outcome.
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2 The outcome would have been very different had City made more of their chances
Although head coach Johnson was justified in criticising referee Andrew Madley for disallowing Lee Tomlin's 'goal' in the first half, the Robins only had themselves to blame for this latest defeat at Loftus Road. Arguably the better side in the first half, the visitors really ought to have been in front when opportunity came knocking for star striker Tammy Abraham. Having scored 11 goals for City and 13 in all this season, the 19-year-old England Under-21 international probably expected to hit the back of the net when presented with a clear sight of the target by Josh Brownhill's clever flick on the stroke of half time. Certainly, a vast majority of those inside the stadium expected to see the net bulge as the Chelsea pulled the trigger. But he was found wanting for once, his shot sailing inches wide of the target, much to the relief of the Rangers fans. City engineered an even better goal-scoring opportunity in the 73rd minute, Tomlin launching a swift counter-attack and playing Bobby Reid clean through. Alex Smithies deserves credit for pulling off a wonderful save, but Reid will know that he should have finished and put his side in front.
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3 Rangers' improved display in the second half warranted them taking all three points
As much as City were frustrated by the officials and their own poor finishing, anything less than victory would have represented rough justice for a Queens Park Rangers side that moved up a gear after the interval. City may have shaded the opening 45 minutes against opponents whose confidence had been undermined by failure to win any of their previous five home games in the Championship, but there was no doubting Rangers' supremacy thereafter. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink made the most of his half-time team talk and the home side emerged with renewed purpose after the break. City made the mistake of defending too deep and inviting pressure and were indebted to keeper Frank Fielding, who pulled off three excellent saves to keep the visitors on level terms. When Idrissa Sylla turned in a cross at the near post 15 minutes from time, it was no more than the home side deserved.
Read more: Bristol City's Adam Matthews: We only had ourselves to blame for QPR defeat
4 The return of Adam Matthews from injury provided City with a silver lining
The tight hamstring that prevented Mark Little from playing any part in this game, afforded Adam Matthews an opportunity to return at right-back. And the Wales international, on loan from Premier League Sunderland, made the most of his chance to impress. Starting a Championship game for the first time since August 20, the 24-year-old showed no sign of the hamstring injury that had disrupted his season. Looking fit and sharp, Matthews served up a near-faultless display to serve notice that he is back to his best form. His pace enabled him to make one especially crucial intervention midway through the first half, the Welshman racing back to execute a brilliant last-ditch tackle and prevent Ariel Borysiuk being permitted a clear run on goal. Judging by his performance on his return to the team, Matthews has made a compelling case for inclusion when the Robins host Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
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5 City have suffered back-to-back defeats, but are still in the Championship play-off places
Consigned to back-to-back defeats for only the second time this season, City forfeited fifth place in the Championship table. But results elsewhere mean they remain in the top six ahead of Saturday's home fixture against Blackburn Rovers at Ashton Gate. Newcastle United and Norwich City may be a cut above the rest right now, but there is little to choose between those beneath them in the table. It is a measure of how good a start City made to the season that they are still well-placed, even after losing at Cardiff and QPR in the space of five days. Key players are returning to fitness and head coach Lee Johnson and his players have good reason to feel optimistic about the future. Victory over Blackburn will render the last two games a distant memory and set the Robins up nicely for the visit of Premier League strugglers Hull in the EFL Cup next week.
Read more: Bristol City boss Lee Johnson rounds on referee Andrew Madley over Lee Tomlin decision
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