By Editor
March 5 2003

Rangers showed their class, and Chris Day and Terrell Forbes showed how much they have been missed in an emphatic victory at the McAlpine Stadium. Day made his long-awaited return 16 months after suffering a double leg fracture and although he had little to do, his confident dominance of his penalty area alone was enough to suggest he could be a key man for Rangers in the all-important run-in to the season.

Forbes missed only one game with a chest infection. But after being sorely missed in the defeat at Swindon on Saturday, he was outstanding at the back against a Huddersfield side that had been on a good run prior to the match. The last few days have underlined Forbes' importance to the team.

Paul Furlong netted twice to continue his fine recent scoring record, while Dan Shittu also got on the scoresheet.

Furlong gave Rangers the perfect start, latching onto Kevin Gallen's ball over the top and firing past goalkeeper Phil Senior in the fifth minute.

Gallen missed a golden chance to double the lead when he shot straight at Senior from 10 yards, but was involved in Rangers' second goal three minutes before half-time.

He headed Richard Langley's corner against the post and Shittu pounced on the rebound to score his second goal in as many games.

And Rangers might have been three-up by the break. But after being teed up by Gallen, Lee Cook blasted over.

The third goal arrived in injury time. Langley cut the ball back from the left and Furlong converted from close range.

On the anniversary of Rangers' 1967 League Cup triumph, on the ground on which relegation to the Second Division was confirmed two seasons ago, this was a win to savour.

"It was a comprehensive performance and I'm really pleased," Ian Holloway declared.

"Terrell was absolutely superb. He gives us a different edge. We haven't won without that lad playing in two years - that's how important he is to us defensively.

"He eats up things and there was one brilliant bit of play from him, when he not only caught up with someone but then held him off and then played it out.

"West Ham let him go because of his passing but he's working at that. It's more accurate and I think he's going to be a very good player for us.

"And I'm really, really pleased to have Chris Day back in a QPR shirt and all the lads are, because he could have been finished with that injury," he added.

Day, who was handed his chance after Nick Culkin suffered a knee problem, is now aiming to re-establish himself having been in outstanding form before sustaining his injury.

He said: "It feels tremendous to be back. It was thrust upon me in a way with Nick's injury and it dawned on me that I'm suddenly the only keeper available, but out there it just felt great to be back in the team.

"My leg is completely okay now. I've been back in training for a long while and although the leg is not going to be quite the same, you adapt and that's what I've done. I feel sharp.

"The team have been on a good run and it's fantastic to now be a part of it. We've got some really big games coming up and hopefully I can build up my match fitness now and keep going in the right direction."

Rangers: Day; Forbes, Carlisle, Shittu, Padula; Langley, Bircham, Palmer, Cook (Williams 74); Gallen, Furlong.

Subs not used: Oli, Bean, Angell, Griffiths.

Attendance: 8,695