Chris Willock’s sixth goal of the season earned QPR a fifth win in seven games as they beat Championship leaders Sheffield United 1-0 at Bramall Lane.
The Hoops had lost each of their last five meetings against United, but Willock’s 51st-minute effort ended that streak as the hosts suffered their first defeat in 10 matches.
The win also meant fourth-placed QPR closed the gap to the Championship leaders to three points.
Paul Heckingbottom’s men had already got off to a confident start with Chris Basham’s 20-yard half-volley calling Rangers keeper Seny Dieng into action.
Oliver Norwood also fired from range before an effort from Tommy Doyle was steadily collected by Dieng.
Just before the quarter hour, a more threatening shot from Doyle whistled 30 yards from the away goal.
After withstanding the initial pressure, QPR then began to make their presence felt with captain Ilias Chair moving brilliantly past John Egan and Basham before forcing a save close to Wes Foderingham’s post in the 25th minute.
However, the Blades were soon back on the offensive, with Egan trailing a volley across the face of goal and George Baldock’s far-post header bouncing following a cross from Jayden Bogle.
Both Iliman Ndiaye and Bogle then created chances after drifting into the box from the left flank – the former guided his shot from 10 yards just past the far post and the latter’s firm drive was cleared away by Dieng.
On the stroke of half-time, Bogle also cut an opportunity at the edge of the box well away from the target.
The Londoners started the second half with more determination, as Tyler Roberts volleyed in from the edge of the box before Willock broke through.
After receiving a square pass from Ethan Laird through the right channel, the former England Under-20 international beat Foderingham from a tight angle at his near post after shooting through the legs of the former Swindon keeper .
In response, a curling shot from Norwood was pushed perfectly around his right right hand by Dieng, but QPR was back on the front foot moments later, Foderingham saving a drive from Lyndon Dykes with his legs and the effort tracking tied to Roberts’ goal narrowly deviating. wide.
Looking for offensive inspiration, Heckingbottom hailed Billy Sharp off the bench and the veteran striker headed out shortly after.
Egan also cleared the crossbar after jumping high to meet Norwood’s corner and further headers from Ndiaye and Rhian Brewster also missed the mark, as did a powerful strike from distance from Norwood.
Sander Berge saw a 20-yard attempt blocked by the visitors’ determined defence, who survived strong calls for a home penalty three minutes into stoppage time when Andre Dozzell grabbed a good grip from the midfield shirt of Norwegian land.
What the managers said…
SheffieldUnited Paul Heckingbottom“There were two hands on him pulling on his shirt and he actually hurt himself after he twisted when he fell, so we’re going to have that scanned. The ref said they were pulling each other’s hands. each other’s shirts.
“QPR also took a long time to get it right and giving an 81st minute yellow card isn’t enough – but none of that takes anything away from them as they defended fantastically and both of their centre-halves were very good.. In terms of performance you would take that every week and we would win more than we would lose All their staff can’t believe how they came away with something from the game but I can because they defended really well and we lost the runner for the goal, which we don’t normally do.”
QPR Michael Beale: “We haven’t played against everyone yet but it was by far the toughest game we’ve had and very different. But we scored a good goal with our only real quality moment in terms of possession and I was delighted with the group Sheffield United are a much more established team than us with a lot more know-how and we are growing as a young group but we have shown qualities that you can’t really give to players like make big blocks and head.
“It took a lot of blood, courage and work to get this result. We struggled a bit at half-time because I wanted to show a bit more and I challenged Ethan Laird, who was excellent this season, because he was going through a difficult time, then he went for an assist for the goal.”
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