Warnock: Taarabt is the real deal

WAYNE ROUTLEDGE marked his second QPR debut with a goal as the npower Championship leaders came from behind to sink Coventry yesterday.

This time last year the winger left Loftus Road for Newcastle and helped guide the Magpies to the title.

He looks eager to repeat the trick having rejoined Rangers on loan and got off to the perfect start by hitting the winner against the Sky Blues.

Adel Taarabt had earlier added another dazzling solo effort to his growing collection to cancel out a shock opener from Coventry’s Marlon King.

“There’s baggage with Abel and he’ll make some mistakes. He was bombed out by the previous two managers here and rightly so.

“But it couldn’t be better for me at this time of my career and I think I’m the right manager for him.

“My son bought his mate today just to see Taarabt. He thinks he should be playing for Real Madrid. And he could, but first he’s got to help me.”

Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers was happy with a point at Barnsley despite seeing his side slip to fourth.

Scott Sinclair struck a controversial late penalty to rescue a point for the Swans, but Cardiff’s 4-2 win at home to Watford and Norwich’s 2-1 victory at Sheffield United leave the promotion contenders locked together on 47 points behind leaders QPR.

Rodgers said: “I am happy with a point after the first-half performance. The reaction in the second half was outstanding.”

Cardiff almost threw away a 3-0 lead given to them by a goal each from strike trio Craig Bellamy, Michael Chopra and Jay Bothroyd, with Will Buckley and Marvin Sordell making it 3-2 before a late goal from substitute Gabor Gyepes wrapped up the three points.

Andrew Crofts scored twice for Norwich at Bramall Lane in a 2-1 win which leaves the Blades just a point outside the bottom three.

Simon Grayson’s Leeds lost a little ground in the automatic promotion chase as they were twice forced to come from behind to claim a 2-2 draw against Portsmouth at Fratton Park in a match delayed twice by floodlight failure.

Joel Ward put Portsmouth ahead after 26 minutes before Luciano Becchio equalised two minutes after the break. John Utaka prodded Portsmouth back in front but substitute David Somma was the Leeds hero when he shot home left-footed after 63 minutes.

Nottingham Forest are also in the promotion picture, and savoured a 1-0 victory at Derby, with former Rams front man Rob Earnshaw’s 79th-minute strike separating the east midlands rivals.

Asked if he was feeling the heat after a seventh defeat in nine games, Derby boss Nigel Clough said: “No more than normal. It’s got to be put into perspective; you can look at the last eight weeks or two years.”

Paul Jewell enjoyed a dramatic debut as Ipswich boss as Carlos Edwards’ stunning effort from almost 40 yards clinched a 3-2 win over Doncaster, for whom Billy Sharp scored twice.

Jewell said: “Given the situation we’re in, we needed three points.”

Ian Harte was both hero and villain for play-off hopefuls Reading in their 1-1 draw with Hull. The former Irish international’s mistake let in Corry Evans to open the scoring after 51 minutes, but his 80th-minute penalty rescued a point.

Millwall were left to rue a third-minute missed penalty from Steve Morison as Leicester eased to a 4-2 win at the Walkers Stadium, while new Burnley boss Eddie Howe had to settle for a point as his side were held to a 0-0 draw at Scunthorpe.

Billy Jones gave bottom side Preston a 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough. Crystal Palace stay in the drop zone after a 0-0 draw with Bristol City.