After Tuesdays win over Brentford this game against Plymouth was always going to be an exciting one with both teams level on points with Plymouth just ahead of us on goal difference. It was a massive game and Plymouth brought over 3,000 fans to West London and became the first (and probably last) team in 2003 to sell out the away end so fair play to them for that.

The atmosphere was superb as I got to the ground with both sets of fans in good voice and both mascots on the pitch sharing a bit of banter although I thought the Plymouth one could have incited a riot when he kissed his badge near the QPR fans.

The two teams came out to a huge ovation and we were ready for a top of the table clash. Unsurprisingly it was an unchanged side with Thorpe and Gallen continuing up front. Danny Shittu was back on the bench though in place of Nick Culkin so we had no keeper on the bench.

Rangers started brightly but it was a tense start to the game with neither side wanting to make any mistakes. Rangers looked a threat down the wings with McLeod and Rowlands getting pace to run at the defence but Plymouth were a real threat from set pieces. Carlisle and Forbes did well to clear some excellent deliveries into the box and Day saved well from a long range Wooton free kick. Day parried the effort and reacted quickly to gather the loose ball as the Plymouth forwards tried to convert the chance.

Gallen had our first real chance at the other end firing a shot over the bar before Rowlands did well on the right to cross for McLeod whose header was off target. We were playing well though and defending very well. Bent got the better of Gino once as we played the offside trap but Gino recovered well to win the goal kick for Rangers.

It was a typical start to a division two game with the ball spending more time in the air than on the floor but when we did get it down we were playing some good stuff but the number of free kicks we were giving away was a worry as they were so dangerous from them. Hodges went close from the next one heading just wide with Chris Day seeming very slow to react with his dive to his right.

Terrell Forbes was having a right battle with Micky Evans and although the defender was having just about the better of the exchanges, Evans was winning free kicks with his old fashioned centre forward style which as I said before was a real worry against a team so good a set pieces.

We began to settle and put them under pressure with Gallen and Thorpe linking well and the former Luton man went close to giving us the lead but the keeper blocked his shot.

We won a few corners on the left but Gallen’s delivery was too long to cause any real damage and I couldn’t understand why Rowlands didn’t take them.

Thorpe then did brilliantly using his quick feet to evade two tackles and just as he was about to put in the unmarked Kevin McLeod the pass was cut out by some good defending from Plymouth. Marc Bircham picked up the loose ball and shot wide. Bircham was a very influential figure for Rangers winning tackles and attempting to be the playmaker in midfield. He put in several excellent balls behind the defence but sadly the front two didn’t read them but it was good to see Bircham really playing at is best.

McLeod then ran at his full back and beat him but was fouled right on the edge of the area. Kevin Gallen lined up to take it Carly suggested that it was in an awkward position to have a shot but my mind wondered back to the Millennium Stadium and Gallen’s effort from an almost identical position which was just tipped over the bar. This time the keeper had left a big gap at his far post so I thought he may have a shot again and he did but went low are hard instead with the ball going straight into the back of the net after a wicked curling cross-shot.

His team mates mobbed Gallen and Loftus Road went mad, as we knew if it stayed like this we were top of the league. The QPR fans milked the moment singing bounce up if your top of the league with the Q block bouncing in unison but we still had a lot of work to do.

Rangers continued to battle for every ball and looked the better side from open play as we looked for a second goal. Plymouth were still a threat from set pieces but Wooton’s long range effort was blocked by the wall and a cross from the right was well held by Chris Day.

The half time whistle saw the team given a standing ovation and the excitement was really building as we had a great chance to go top of the league.

We begun the second half well on top pressing for the ball in midfield and attacking with real purpose up front. Gallen and Thorpe were chasing for everything and then began to make a few mistakes as the pressure really built. McLeod did well on the left getting a few crosses in but they were just about keeping us out.

At the other end they went pretty stale creating nothing from open play and we were defending free kicks far better than before. Holloway then made an inspired substitution. Bringing on a defender at this stage may not always be a great idea but the introduction of Dan Shittu not only gave us added height to defend against set pieces but also saw Loftus Road explode into life as the crowd went mad. Shittu has been out for seven weeks and he was given a massive ovation as he hugged Clarke Carlisle and made his return to the first team.

Richard Edghill was unlucky to go off but his recent problems with injuries probably mean he’s not fit enough fro 90 minutes at the moment. The introduction of Shittu really lifted us and we poured forward for a second goal. Shittu came forward for some corners and the script seemed to be written for him to get the killer goal. One corner though almost went straight in as Gino produced another excellent delivery and ball curled to hit the top of the bar and go over.

We still needed a second gal and when it came the relief was unbelievable. A long throw by Gino found Gallen but he was beaten the ball and it ran loose to Thorpe on the edge of the box. Quick as a flash Thorpe hit a low shot which just beat the keeper to fly into the back of the net and it was game over. Thorpe celebrated as if we had wont he league as did the rest of the stadium as the noise levels were just unbelievable We were now all bouncing up as we were top of the league.

Things got even better though as we quickly got another goal. It was a quick counter attack as Plymouth were now all over the place. Forbes did brilliantly to pick out the pass for Gallen. It was pure quality and Gallen turned and fired into the top corner as we began to rub our eyes to believe what was happening. This was supposed to be a tight tense game but was turning into a comprehensive victory. The chant of “oo arr it’s a massacre” which was particularly apt as we began to run riot.

McLeod looked to get on the score sheet with a good run and shot but it deflected into the hands of the keeper. As the closing minutes arrived Plymouth finally began to look like a side that had gone top of the league for the last few weeks. A free kick from Wooton on the edge of the area saw a powerful shot towards the top corner but Day produced a magnificent save to push the ball wide for a corner.

Day was in stunning form making a number of late saves as we began to sit back and relax which I don’t think will have pleased Ian Holloway. Day was forced into one unbelievable save as they got behind us and a cross to the far post saw a free header. The effort was heaving for the back of the net when Day ran across from his neat post to somehow get a hand on the ball and divert it over the bar. It’s just another in a long line of outstanding saves he has made this season as he cements his position as the best goalkeeper in the second division.

As injury time arrived we came with inches of getting a deserved fourth. It would have been a cracker as well with a good counter attack. Bircham did brilliantly to put Thorpe in with a superb pass and Thorpe looked up and played a majestic pass with the outside of his foot to find Gallen. Gallen fired a powerful shot to complete his hat trick but the keeper blocked it as the ball thundered against the keeper’s testicles. The keeper lay in agony as they cleared the danger and Gallen had been denied a first ever hat trick for QPR.

Still the final whistle went a few minutes later as the fans celebrated a superb home win and the chance to see us top of the table for the first time this season,

It’s almost impossible to pick a man of the match as everyone was just superb for QPR and Ian Holloway must be delighted with the way we are playing at the moment. You also get the feeling that there is more to come from this team and with two of the next three league games at home we have a great chance to stay top for the next few weeks.

Man of the Match: Kevin Gallen

Players Ratings

1. Chris Day: Made three outstanding saves in the last few minutes to show why he is so vital to us at the moment. 9/10

23. Richard Edghill: Defended well and was a little unlucky to be taken off but he's looking like an excellent signing. 8/10

3. Gino Padula: A very good performance from Gino, he defended well and put in some excellent corners. 8/10

5. Clarke Carlisle: Won everything in the air and he is really getting back to his best now after his long absence from the team. 8/10

2. Terrell Forbes: Excellent in central defence then did an equally good job at right back where he made a superb pass for the third goal. 8/10

14. Martin Rowlands: Passed the ball very well and supported the central midfielders throughout the game. 8/10

22. Kevin McLeod: Worked hard all game again and caused them problems when he ran at them. 8/10

17. Marcus Bean: One of his best games for QPR as he won tackles, passed the ball well and generally worked his socks off. 8/10

8. Marc Bircham: Outstanding performance from Bircham as he kept the tempo going all through the game and was involved in all our best passing moves. 8/10

9. Tony Thorpe: His best game for QPR so far as he worked hard and caused them so many problems. Unlucky not to score more and is really linking well with Gallen at the moment. 9/10

10. Kevin Gallen: Another superb performance from Gallen whose hold up play and passing was once again excellent and he was such a threat around the box scoring two and unlucky not to get more. 9/10

Subs

6. Danny Shittu: Didn't look anywhere near 100% fit but just his presence gave the team a huge lift. 7/10