QPR lose at Wolves despite stirring second-half rally

Wolves 2 QPR 1




QPR lost to the Championship leaders despite a fabulous second-half rally at Molineux, where Conor Washington hauled them back into the game.

Rangers had Wolves wobbling during a frenetic second period and Ebere Eze was denied an injury-time equaliser by Ryan Bennett’s goal-line clearance.

Wolves were two up within 21 minutes after goals from Alfred N’Diaye and Heldar Costa, both of which were set up by left-wing crosses from Ivan Cavaleiro.

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The unmarked N’Diaye bundled the ball in at the far post after being found by Cavaliero, who then collected Diogo Jota’s pass and crossed for Costa – also unchallenged – to double the home side’s lead with a simple tap-in.

Rangers had made a decent start and Washington was unable to take two early chances to put them ahead.

Washington shot straight at keeper John Ruddy after being put through by Josh Scowen.

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A couple of minutes later, Washington had an even better opportunity, but this time his shot was deflected behind by Bennett.

Washington atoned by pulling a goal back six minutes after the interval.

Matt Smith, on as a half-time substitute, saw his header from Pawel Wszolek’s cross saved by Ruddy, and Washington reacted quickly, superbly hooking the ball over his head and into the net.

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Wolves, so dominant for most of the first half, suddenly looked vulnerable, particularly because of the aerial presence of Smith, who missed a chance to equalise when he fired over.

Youngster Eze, on as a substitute too, also made a big impact for the R’s.

His persistence on the right-hand side led to a chance for Wszolek, whose left-footed strike brought a fine save from Ruddy.

And in the dying moments, Eze so nearly earned a point QPR would have deserved for their terrific second-half display.

QPR: Smithies, Perch (Eze 42), Onuoha, Lynch, Robinson, Wszolek, Cousins (Smith 45), Scowen, Freeman, Bidwell, Washington.
Subs not used: Ingram, Baptiste, Chair, Osayi-Samuel, Oteh.