Sylla’s goal gives QPR victory over Sheffield United
QPR 1 Sheffield United 0
Idrissa Sylla capitalised on a goalkeeping mistake to give QPR their second home victory in three days.
Having beaten promotion contenders Wolves on Saturday, Rangers stood firm against a Sheffield United side whose defeat saw them lose top spot in the Championship.
There seemed to be little danger for United when Jamal Blackman came to gather Jordan Cousins’ ball into the box in the fourth minute.
But the on-loan Chelsea keeper misjudged the bounce of the ball and then dropped it after colliding with team-mate Cameron Carter-Vickers, gifting the waiting Sylla a simple tap-in.
Blackman, who appeared to land awkwardly, was then carried off on a stretcher following several minutes of treatment on the pitch.
Luck was on Rangers’ side again when Jack O’Connell missed a sitter, steering his shot wide of the target when found unmarked by Paul Coutts’ left-wing corner.
And United then missed another great chance to equalise, this time when former QPR striker Leon Clarke fired over after being picked out by David Brooks’ cross from the left.
Clarke was also denied at close range by Alex Smithies, who dived at his feet to save following more good work on the left by the dangerous Brooks.
QPR, who battled spiritedly throughout, also threatened during a lively first half.
Simon Moore, who replaced Blackman, back-pedalled to just about keep out Sylla’s first-time strike from long range following Conor Washington’s neat lay-off.
The Rangers front pairing combined again after the half-hour mark when Sylla headed over from Washington’s beautifully-delivered cross.
Early in the second half, Sylla directed a header narrowly wide and United made a change in attack, bringing Billy Sharp for
the ineffective Clayton Donaldson.
Sharp was soon involved in the action, testing Smithies with a low shot the Rangers keeper was down quickly to hold.
Sharp also crossed from the left for Clarke, who nodded into the net but was offside.
At the other end, Massimo Luongo curled an effort wide and R’s substitute Jamie Mackie blasted over after being set up by the excellent Luke Freeman, who caused United constant problems.
QPR: Smithies, Cousins (Furlong 59), Baptiste, Robinson, Bidwell, Wheeler (Manning 87), Scowen, Luongo, Freeman, Washington, Sylla (Mackie 67).
Subs not used: Lumley, Smith, Ngbakoto, Wszolek.
