24/05/2014 The Football League Show

Hello, the Skybet Championship season all comes down to a single

game today, as Wembley provides the backdrop to the biggest day in the

Football League's calendar -the Championship Play-Off final. The

winners pick up a reported ?134 million. Will it be Derby County or

Queens Park Rangers. --? It's a game which pits a former England manager

- Steve McClaren - against a one-time would-be England manager,

Harry Redknapp. Having won seven and drawn one of their last eight

matches, Derby are the form team going into the match. The Rams

outclassing Brighton in the semifinal, edging the first leg 2-1

at the Amex thanks to a Chris Martin's penalty and Tomasz

Kuszczak's own goal, before running riot at the Ipro. Will Hughes' goal

opening the floodgates as Derby romped to a 4-1 victory. QPR,

meanwhile, are just one match from an immediate return to the Premier

League, having overcome highly fancied Wigan over two legs in the

semis. Can you believe the transformation on a Steve McClaren?

Absolutely brilliant. Unbelievable. A couple of good loan signings. It

feels fantastic. Scoring for fun. 3-1. QPR shouldn't be in the final.

QPR are just one match away from an immediate return to the Premier

League having over, it with -- overcome Wigan over two legs in the

semifinals. After a cagey first leg stalemate at the DW, QPR had to come

from behind at a frenzied Loftus Road, after James Perch had given

the Addicks an early lead. And it was Rangers' top scorer Charlie

Austin who came to Harry Redknapp's rescue - equalising from the penalty

spot before scoring a dramatic extra-time winner. Why didn't you

get this job over the line for one of the automatic positions? It is

very difficult. It is a tough division. Everybody put pressure on

us but we certainly have a chance today. A couple of injuries. We will

do it today. Don't worry. So the scene set then for what has

all the makings of a classic play-off final. No time to waste -

let's join our match commentators, Phil Neville, but first Steve

Wilson. Nine months of blood, sweat, cheers and tears comes down to this.

One Premier League place and a multitude of millions are there for

the winning. Derby or Queens Park Rangers? Derby were 14th when Steve

McClaren took over at the end of September. Third when the regular

season ended. And McLaren starts today with the team that beat

Brighton in the second leg of their semifinal. Craig Bryson, 14 goals

and 16 assists, is fit but he is on the bench. William Hughes starts. It

is QPR's first Wembley visit since 1986. They have not won here since

1967. This 11 beat Wigan in the second leg of their semifinal. Doyle

and Austin upfront. Niko Kranjcar fit after a hamstring scare. So it

is Derby County to get the 2014 Sky Bet Championship play-off final

underway. Kicking from left to right. Lee Mason is happy and away

we go. Derby County, white shirts, black shorts, kicking from left to

right. QPR in the red and black hooped shirts. The first tackle

brings the first throw-in. QPR... That midfield area is going to be a

key battle today. QPR have a couple of midfield players in their word

Derby have got three. -- in there where Derby have got three.

The free kick is given against Niko Kranjcar.

Wisdom's cross. He did well to squeeze it in from a fairly

unpromising position. Derby County did not get many people in the box

there. Lee Mason is not going to give any cheap fouls away. Danny

Simpson with the throw-in. That is a corner kick. Derby's

first. The first time we have seen somebody supporting Chris Martin.

Good linkup play. Dari need a good delivery. -- Derby.

Great ball in. Forsyth popping up at the back post. Probably the clearest

sight of goal either side has had. Clint Hill slightly misjudged it.

The best ball of the game so far from a crossed in angle. Chris

Martin looking for a tap in. No kind of angle in which to score, really.

You can see that Robert Green was right on the post.

Great ball Martin looking for a tap in. No kind

of angle in which to Martin looking for a tap in. No kind

You can see that Robert Green was right on the post.

There were a few QPR fans the hope that their players, with

more top-flight experience, may walk out on this Wembley

more top-flight experience, may walk home than

more top-flight experience, may walk of the 25 minutes so far. But

more top-flight experience, may walk big day. No. QPR have started the

game a bit better. Maybe big day. No. QPR have started the

nerves. The longer the game goes on, the

nerves. The longer the game goes will comment to add more and more.

nerves. The longer the game goes -- come into it.

Everything goes through George Thorne for Derby. He is the link

man. He is the spray man in midfield. They need to get him on

the ball more. Hughes... Was midfield. They need to get him on

caught by Richard Dunne? Lee Mason midfield. They need to get him on

has said no. He seemed to beat midfield. They need to get him on

Richard Dunne. He is asking the question of the referee. Lee Mason

has question of the referee. Lee Mason

like a penalty to me from where I was. We

like a penalty to me from where I Champions League game, Mesut Ozil.

Niko Kranjcar has had that niggle Great decision in

Niko Kranjcar has had that niggle ever since the semifinal against

Wigan, Niko Kranjcar. It doesn't look like he is going to be able to

Wigan, Niko Kranjcar. It doesn't continue. Viacom Derby County again.

BBC radio Derby commentator Colin Bloomfield is suffering from cancer

BBC radio Derby commentator Colin at the moment. He is very popular.

He is not 100% fit. You have to be fit when you go into games like

this. It is a substitution QPR did not want to make so soon. Armand

Traore welcome on. He will be a natural fit on that side. Joey

Barton and Gary O'Neil are dropping right on their toes, not allowing

any space. Difficult right on their toes, not allowing

Martin to get any balls into his feet. That was a lazy tackle. He

tackled with his wrong foot. We have not quite got the delivery that was

expected. They will not be short on numbers, Derby. There are seven in a

cluster on the edge of the penalty area.

It was a good save by Rob Green in the end. It nearly went straight in.

Very comfortable for Robbie Green. Harry Redknapp was not happy with

that throw-in -- that throw from Rob Green. I sure

that throw-in -- that throw from Rob equipped this time in the Premier

League. In terms of equipped this time in the Premier

15 years. The one season. -- equipped this time in the Premier

the one season since they went down. They are on the attack here. Gary

O'Neil getting forward. Traore They are on the attack here. Gary

He has been around the block a few Doyle who was breaking his neck to

He has been around the block a few times, Harry Redknapp and his team

of accomplices. Well won by Barton. Kevin Doyle

getting forward for Rangers. Great challenge.

That was not a bad idea but Forsyth, Chris Martin Rather, was

rather leaden footed getting out of the blocks. What a tackle this was.

It was a fantastic challenge. That is what he is in there for. As a

holding midfield player. He is in there to win the ball back as well.

When there are -- when Derby have possession I think they need more

support for Martin. The bit more adventurous. At the moment both of

those midfield players are cautious. The whistle has been blown. It has

been fairly cagey, as you would expect from a game that has so much

riding on it. The half chance of the game fell Derby County's way. Junior

Hoilett was perhaps the pick of the bunch. From a neutral point of

view, the game was a bit short of opportunities in the first half.

Both managers would settle for not having conceded so far. No half-time

changes. Joey Barton just puts it away over the back of the green.

It is the first time we have seen the QPR centre-backs tested. Good

running behind by Johnny Russell. Both teams are attacking the ends at

which their fans are based. That was a good header by Richard Dunne

again. It has been put behind for another one. Steve McClaren has told

them to be more positive. They are putting more people in the box. Use

has been getting the fans going as well. That was a better delivery,

but Clint Hill got a clearing header on it. Three quick corners in

succession for Derby County. It was a fantastic header from Clint Hill.

That's what you need. There are the two centre-half. Buxton wearing 25

and Keogh with number six. This is a great spell for Derby

County. What should have been a fairly

straight forward pass from Hendrick was overhit. That is the first time

we have seen QPR a bit ragged at the back. They have been composed so

far. It will not be long. Harry Redknapp has seen enough. Bobby

Zamora is going to be on. The Rangers' fans are trying to seeing

their side back into it. Austin and wide of the post. It is the chance

they have been waiting for. Which is Keogh misjudged the header. How many

times this season have we seen Charlie Austin stick them in the

back of the net. He will be disappointed with that. That was his

big moment. Queens Park Rangers have made the substitution. Austin has a

new strike partner. Bobby Zamora has come on.

That was a much harder chats. It was more difficult. I do not think the

pass from Junior Hoilett was meant for Charlie Austin. I think it was

meant for Bobby Zamora. The game has opened up a little bit now, though.

I saw Harry Redknapp on the touchline two minutes before that

screaming at Armand Traore aid to get more positive and forward. Right

on the edge of the penalty area. What does Lee Mason do? That looks

like a red card. He is going to confer with Darren England. It is a

very big decision in the game. Could Clint Hill have got back in to save

Gary O'Neill from getting a red card? It is a massive moment in the

game. Gary O'Neill is sent off. For at least half an hour it is 11

against ten. It was a good decision by Lee Mason. I don't think Clint

Hill would have got back there. It was a massive moment in the game.

It is a corner. He put himself in an area where he could get the block

in. Bobby Zamora wins a free kick. Probably the Rangers bench when they

look at it will think he got it right. It was a cynical foul from

Gary O'Neill. As a defender you have to clear your lines. But Gary

O'Neill had no option. Can Queens Park Rangers keep Derby out? They

have a one-man disadvantage. Can they find a way to hurt Derby?

Derby are trying to make the pitch as wide as possible. Trying to

create space in the middle and capitalise on that extra man. Saved

by Robert Green. It was a lovely ball into Hendrix. -- Jeff Hendrick.

It hit the outside of the post from Chris Martin. There was a deflection

and there is a corner. The first chance in the game for Chris Martin.

Headed over the top by Keogh. Derby can sense that they smell the kill

now. It was deflected off a Derby man. I

think it hit Chris Martin. It is a goal kick. A neat little 1-2. A good

save by Robert Green. Derby keeper piling on the pressure. You think it

is only a matter of time before they get the gold. Just one goal would

surely do it. If Derby scorer in the next view moments, it is almost

unthinkable that Rangers with ten men would get themselves back into

the game. It is possible, but very unlikely.

Robert Green has done everything he has been called upon to do.

The shot from Barton was a few yards wide in the end. We are now in the

90th minute of the last game of this nine-month season and still we don't

know who is going up. Bobby Zamora urged by the Rangers

fans to attack. He has won a throw in. They have found some energy from

somewhere. It is the end of a long hard season. A lot of tired legs and

minds. Bobby Zamora! He has scored! Bobby Zamora! In the very last

minute! Less than 20 seconds to play. Bobby Zamora has scored and

Queens Park Rangers surely are heading back to the Premier League.

Absolute despair for Derby County! But Bobby Zamora has been doing that

for years and years. Unbelievable! The Derby players on their knees.

Buxton got dispossessed. We said there would be a chance. It was a

double mistake, really. Buxton caught in possession and Keele

played it straight to Zamora. -- Richard Keogh. What a moment. The

ten men are in front. Have Queens Park Rangers just won the jackpot?

What seems now from those blue and white quartz from only four or five

miles down the road. Some of them walked here from Loftus Road. You

get a feel for the Derby County players. They have given everything.

They have thrown the kitchen sink at QPR. They have just got to get the

ball forward. No messing about now. Get the ball into the box. In it

goes. Chris Martin won the header. It is a corner. Is there time to

take it? Rangers think there should not be. The goalkeeper is coming up.

Lee Grant. Why not? This is the last chance of a nine-month season.

Stranger things have happened but not many. Derby County corner. Lee

Mason blows his whistle. It will be a throw in to Queens Park Rangers.

Surely the next whistle will mean that the west Londoners are back in

the top flight? QPR fans celebrating. All eyes on Lee Mason

here. There is the whistle! Queens Park Rangers are promoted! Bobby

Zamora's 90th minute strike leaves Derby County facedown in the Wembley

turf. The ten men have beaten the 11. And it will be QPR back at the

top table of English football next season. And Derby, somehow, have two

lift themselves from this devastation of defeat. It is a

painful game, football. The players from Derby are on their knees. They

have given everything. Sometimes these scripts are written. QPR down

to ten men. Not a chance in the second half apart from Charlie

Austin's. Backs against the wall. Could not get out of their own half.

They end up winning the game. And probably the biggest prize of all,

going back into the Premier League. Bobby Zamora celebrates and Queens

Park Rangers are a Premier League club once again. It is finished a

remarkable final, What a magnificent group of men we

have got. Throughout the season everybody has doubted us, questioned

our mentality, our desire. That shows what we are all about. There

are no mercenaries in there. We are a band of brothers. We have been

through hell this season. I am delighted for them. Our chairman.

But more importantly, our boys. They deserve every bit of that. When

everybody is talking about the biggest game in world football

financially, how do you play the match and not the reward? Because

the award is not ours. It is for the club. For us it is the pleasure of

playing at Wembley and hopefully getting a chance to play in the

Premier League. That is what dreams are about. It is not about financial

rewards. Just to be able to play at Wembley and winners great thing. I

had a bad experience here 12 or 13 years ago when I got sent off. I did

not get to walk up those steps. That has haunted me in my career. These

lads have given me my proudest moment as a footballer. A lot of

these players have a lot of experience of international and club

football successes. This will rank quite up there. -- right up there.

There is the trophy. Here come Queens Park Rangers. To take their

place back in the Premier League. Clint Hill, an enormous hog. Joey

Barton followed by Robert Green and Richard Dunne. A wonderful piece of

silverware which will be lifted jointly by Clint Hill and Joey

Barton. Queens Park Rangers are back in the Premier League.

It will take days, maybe a couple of weeks to get over this. That is why

we stayed on and we applauded the Queens Park Rangers club. In

football you don't often get what you deserve and we did not get that

today. It was a cruel way to end the game. For people to make mistakes.

We don't blame anybody. I am so proud of the players for what they

have achieved so far this season and the way they played today. You can

only see one winner. Derby played really well today. They will be

favourites for next season. To come out the other side, even with ten

men, is incredible. Could you see that coming? I could. I know what

Bobby Zamora is like. Since February I've been fit and raring to go.

Charlie has been great. I have just had to settle for the

Charlie has been great. I have just minutes or so to try to change the

game. We made it hard. Gary took one for the team. It was a justified

sending off. The referee got it right. Derby are a good young

footballing side with a good young codes, fantastic support. But

thankfully, it was a proverbial smash and grab. They probably

deserved to win it. There has been a lot of scrutiny about your manager.

Any doubts he will be in charge in the Premier League? Absolutely no

doubt. I have always wanted consistency and stability. We have

not been able to do that. We will sit down. We are smarter. There was

nothing I can predict. All I can say is I am a little bit wiser, a little

bit greyer. For the moment I'm going to enjoy every moment. Boy, I'm

really happy. Congratulations to QPR, back in the

Premier League after one season away. Commiserations to Derby

County. Very much the calm after the storm. Steve is with me. Was it an

archetypal smash and grab from QPR? Welcome if you look at the

statistics and you look at the shots on target, corners et, yes. If you

are talking about guilt edged chances, there wasn't that much.

People hark back to QPR having one shot on target, the goal. If you are

saying Derby had masses of clear-cut chances, they hadn't. The first-half

was very cagey. The whole game was pretty cagey. Not sure if it was due

to nerves. There was one controversial moment. Will Hughes

fouled in the QPR penalty area by Richard Dunne. Was it a penalty? I

think the referee has got it right. It looked like it when we first saw

it. But when we see it again, the Nice touch, it is minimal contact.

He is actually trying to change direction. That plays a part.

Obviously the touch slightly exaggerated. Not a penalty. With

just half an hour left we saw Gary O'Neil given his marching orders. I

was not quite sure if you would get a red. You are sure from the start?

Yes. The strange thing was, five minutes previous to that, QPR had

their best part of the game. Charlie Austin had a great opportunity.

Zamora had a huge difference. All of a sudden you felt the game turn. You

get the sending off and you think it is going against them. For me it was

a sending off. Russell was through. One more touch and he will get a

shot on target. There is no way anybody would have made contact with

him. It is a clear scoring opportunity. That is why he had to

go off. You got the impression the tide was in Derby's favour and they

could exploit the numbers? But they had to regroup, didn't they? Richard

Dunne was excellent at the back. There was an interesting

substitution when Clint Hill volunteered to come off. He did.

Harry wanted to go three in midfield. That meant losing Hoilett.

Obviously Clint Hill sees what is going on. Remonstrate with Harry and

says, take me off. What a -- What a professional Clint is. He is saying,

we need somebody who will give us an out. Hoilett can be that. Bring

Henry on. Put him in midfield. They did and it was beneficial. Hoilett

provided the assist and up popped Bobby Zamora. Incredible situation.

They defended brilliantly. We said when the sending of happened, it

really did stack the odds in Derby's favour, but QPR are never

allowed of the game to become spaced out. They never allowed gaps. They

defended manfully. That little bit of... When you have had so much of

the ball, you take your eye off the ball for that split second

defensively, which they did. We own the Richard Keogh should get his

foot through it. He doesn't. And Bobby Zamora, that is a wonderful

finish. He has got time to actually think what to do. Fantastic. Just as

he did in the 2005 final when he saw West Ham into the Premier League.

But that Harry's future? He is unequivocally staying at Loftus

Road. Rightly so. He may have had a different outcome if they had not

been promoted. But he has done the job he was brought in to do. Albeit

they have a good budget. They are likely to be a little bit more

prudent. Their brief was to get promoted. They have done that. A

word for Derby County. They finished the season as the highest scorers.

So much to be pleased about? Yes. It is no consolation at this stage.

Hopefully next season they will carry that on into next year. It

will just be a blemish for them. Hopefully they can carry the

momentum into next season and maybe go one step further. Rightly so.

They have had a wonderful day. -- year. They will feel hard done by.

They have a very bright future. Thank you. My thanks to Steve. We

are hoping for much more of the same on Monday night when we reflect on

the remaining play-off finals. Well done to Harry Redknapp's QPR. They

are back in the Premier League with a ram raid of their own. Good night.

Zamora! Less than 20 seconds to play! QPR are heading back to the

Premier League. MUSIC: "Black Wave"

by the Raveonettes And you must be the famous

Dr Quirke.