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Bright Osayi-Samuel terrorised Middlesbrough’s defence, but his QPR side couldn’t snatch all three points on a cold afternoon at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.
It was always going to be a season of change for QPR, who had to cope with the departure of star man Eberechi Eze to Crystal Palace. However, this presented a chance for some of the other players to nail their place in Mark Warburton’s starting lineup, including Bright Osayi-Samuel.
The 22-year-old featured on the left side of a new-look attack, with Ilias Chair down the middle and new signing George Thomas on the right. It was Middlesbrough’s Marvin Johnson that was tasked with marking Osayi-Samuel, and it was far from an easy job.
From the off, his frightening pace became a huge problem for Boro’s five-man defence, but Neil Warnock’s side were the first to take the lead. Paddy McNair’s corner was whipped onto the head of new signing Chuba Akpom, who escaped his marker to flick his header past Seny Dieng for a debut goal. For all of QPR’s attacking efforts, they found themselves 1-0 down after just 20 minutes.
While Osayi-Samuel had the speed to take on the opposition, Johnson and McNair doubled up on him to prevent the Rs from creating any clear cut chances. However, it took just one momentary lapse in concentration for the home side to get level. Ilias Chair was released down the left flank and allowed to dribble his way through Boro’s defence. The ball ended at the feet of Luke Amos, who’s shot was parried by Marcus Bettinelli into the direction of Osayi-Samuel to tuck home a scrappy equaliser.
A series of injuries slowed down the pace of the first half, while the second period was played to a much slower tempo. Middlesbrough’s shift from a five-man to a four-man defence gave them an extra body in midfield, which helped them to control the game and carve open chances towards the end of the match. Boro’s chances didn’t amount to a goal and both sides took one point from the game.
QPR showed flashes of brilliance, but there was an Eberechi Eze shaped hole in their midfield which saw them struggle to create any clear-cut chances for large parts of the game. Mark Warburton needs to find a new focal point in his team, and while Chair is the most similar to Eze, Osayi-Samuel is the player who could help push the Rs up the table.
His pace and power were a real problem for Boro, a side who’s strength usually lies in their defence. The Rs have an incredibly young attacking quartet, the oldest of which being 24-year-old striker Lyndon Dykes. Should Warburton consider that lineup to be his strongest side, then he’ll need to be patient while they gel together and adapt to Championship football.
Of course, Middlesbrough struggled without the presence of iconic manager Neil Warnock, who is still recovering after contracting Covid-19. New signing Chuba Akpom showed glimpses of what he can do and could be the difference for a Boro side crying out for more goals. They’re far from the finished article, but Middlesbrough look a stronger side than they did in their brush with relegation last season.
QPR
Middlesbrough
