Tom Cleverley hails ‘fantastic’ Plymouth for rallying to give him a birthday win

Plymouth boss Tom Cleverley hailed his ‘fantastic’ team after they knocked Championship QPR out of the Carabao Cup on his 36th birthday.

The League One side trailed a young QPR side 2-0 at half-time but bounced back to win the first round tie 3-2.

Goals from Daniel Bennie and Rayan Kolli gave the visitors control but Brendan Wiredu pulled one back early in the second half, then Owen Oseni scored twice.

Cleverley said: “We were fantastic tonight, apart from our box defending.

“It’s the third game in a row we have conceded from a set-piece and that can’t keep happening.

“I have never seen a more one-sided game that we have gone in at 2-0 down at half-time.

“It was great to come back and score from our own set-piece.

“It’s a balancing act for me now as a coach, with us losing so many players through injury.

“I am delighted for Owen. He took his goals really well.

“Everyone will talk about how young QPR were but we had two teenagers and Ayman Benarous – who has not played for three years – so we were not the most experienced.”

QPR boss Julien Stephan said: “First half they (Plymouth) had more of the ball than us but we did well on the counter-attack and from set-pieces.

“The momentum changed in the second half after they scored two quick goals.

“Credit to Plymouth but I was really proud of our youngsters. It was a good opportunity for the young players to gain experience.

“It was a good lesson for everyone. I want to thank the fans, they were amazing for us and I hope they are the same against Watford.”