QPR 2-3 Manchester City: Sunday Mirror match report

Yaya Toure's towering header sealed three precious points for City.

But they were made to fight all the way by Neil ­Warnock’s battling side.

Toure struck 16 minutes from time to cement City’s place at the head of the table.

Rangers had taken a shock lead through Jay Bothroyd but another Edin Dzeko goal ­levelled it up before the break.

David Silva put City 2-1 ahead seven minutes into the second half and it looked like it would be plain sailing for Roberto Mancini’s men.

But Rangers, urged on by Warnock (below), were not finished and levelled through a controversial Heidar Helguson goal.

The Icelandic striker’s header struck Bothroyd on the back virtually on the goalline and City’s players chased the assistant referee, clearly believing it was offside.

But their protests were waved away and the goal stood - but it only served to spur City on.

QPR were only level for five minutes before Toure struck the winner.

Aleksander Kolorov fired in cross from the right and there was the Ivory Coast star to climb way above the defender and power home a header.

Try as they might Rangers could not hit back again and City left the Loftus Road cauldron with all three points.

One look at the City bench would have been

intimidation in itself.

It was like a convention of Arsenal old-boys with Samir Nasri, Gael Clichy and Kolo Toure among their ­number. But Rangers have a weapon of their own – their crowd.

Loftus Road, as Chelsea will testify, has been a testing arena for the high and mighty.

And yesterday, in the tight confines of a stadium in the less fashionable quarter of West London, was no ­different.

But a team laced with the class of Silva and Sergio ­Aguero will always pose a threat and City were always dangerous after they absorbed Rangers pressure.

However, the home side were playing with a tempo that kept City honest and the ­endeavour of Jamie Mackie epitomised their effort and commitment.

Anton Ferdinand – the man in the middle of the John Terry racism probe – was backed by immense support as the ­Rangers fans showed their loyalty to their man.

When City broke forward, ­Ferdinand’s defensive steel was needed on more than one occasion.

City had to play a waiting game, keeping possession deep in their own half as they probed for an opening against a resilient Rangers outfit.

When they did venture into the Rangers half, using the pace and touch of Aguero and Silva, the assaults were quickly smothered. In fact it was the home side who went close in the 22nd minute when Joey Barton’s ­corner was driven to the far post and Helguson ­out-jumped Micah Richards but headed wide.

There was no reprieve in the 28th minute. Barton’s free-kick from the right had a wicked curl and Bothroud leapt to head Rangers into a shock lead.

City’s response was ­immediate and Danny ­Gabbidon had to block a fierce drive from Dzeko.

Then Toure drove forward to release Aguero but for once the Argentinian’s touch was too heavy.

But it needed a great save from Joe Hart to keep out a ­Helguson shot following a penetrating run from City

old-boy Shaun Wright-Phillips as Rangers’ belief grew.

City hit back with an attack of their own but Dzeko’s dangerous low cross failed to find a teammate.

It was Rangers who should have gone further ahead when Dzeko’s dreadful pass fell to Helguson. His cross gave ­Bothroyd a clear header but he put it wide.

Folly to waste such openings against a team of City’s ­potential and in the 43rd

minute, Dzeko made his one meaningful contribution of the first half when he cut ­inside Ferdinand to fire home City’s equaliser.

VERDICT: What makes a title-winning team? Nights like these when you are top of the table, a goal down and the pressure is really on. Mancini's men did not panic, they just stepped it up and showed they mean business.

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THE BIG ISSUE: With their huge squad, can Manchester City challenge for all four trophies his season?

City have a squad to be envied but like every top club there are key men that they miss more than

others.

One of their stalwarts is defensive kingpin Vinny Kompany. He was suspended for this game and his absence was clearly apparent in the City defence.

Many critics would name Kompany as City’s best player this season in their march to the top of the Premier League.

Their title rivals will be aware that any lengthy lay-off to Kompany could prove massively damaging to the City cause.

Stefan Savic is a young defender for the future. He’s not the finished

article.

So City may consider spending even more money on their squad.