Match ends, Queens Park Rangers 4, Sheffield Wednesday 2.
QPRQueens Park Rangers4Sheff WedSheffield Wednesday2
A three-goal burst in eight minutes helped QPR to victory over Sheffield Wednesday at Loftus Road.
Goals from Paul Smyth, Jake Bidwell and Idrissa Sylla in the opening 15 minutes put the game beyond Wednesday.
Sylla scored QPR's fourth from the penalty spot before the visitors threatened to make a dramatic comeback.
A smart finish from Fernando Forestieri and an Atdhe Nuhiu header reduced the deficit to two but Wednesday dropped to 17th in the Championship table.
The hosts took the lead after eight minutes, Smyth finishing smartly after a Joe Wildsmith punch landed straight at his feet.
The R's doubled their lead two minutes later when Jake Bidwell followed up to sweep home after his initial effort was spilled by Wildsmith.
Sylla added QPR's third, heading home Darnell Furlong's cross at the back post, and scored from the penalty spot after Bright Osavi-Samuel was fouled by Tom Lees.
Jos Luhukay's side threatened a dramatic comeback when Forestieri finished neatly from the left and Nuhiu headed in Liam Palmer's cross.
QPR stay in 15th in the table, 16 points clear of the relegation zone.
The night began with an emotional tribute to Ray Wilkins, who died last week at the age of 61.
Wilkins established himself as a fan favourite at Loftus Road, having made 215 appearances in two spells.
QPR manager Ian Holloway:
"We flew out of the blocks. It was a sensational start. Then when we had to defend in the second half.
"I'm delighted for Idrissa Sylla. It's great that he's back fit and amongst the goals.
"It's been a tough few days, but tonight we bounced back from Saturday and for the first half, we really put on a show."
Sheffield Wednesday boss Jos Luhukay:
"In the first 15 minutes we were not in the game, we did not defend well and they began with aggression. It cost us the game.
"The 75 minutes that followed was more positive and we tried everything to get back into the game.
"The team didn't give up, they kept fighting, got the first and second goal and had chances for more."
Line-ups
QPR
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Smithies
- 2Furlong
- 20Baptiste
- 18Robinson
- 3Bidwell
- 8Cousins
- 11ScowenBooked at 40minsSubstituted forManningat 67'minutes
- 7Freeman
- 34Osayi-SamuelSubstituted forWszolekat 77'minutes
- 40SyllaSubstituted forSmithat 68'minutes
- 37Smyth
Substitutes
- 9Washington
- 13Ingram
- 14Manning
- 17Smith
- 22Wszolek
- 29Kakay
- 30Eze
Sheff Wed
Formation 4-3-3
- 28Wildsmith
- 16Palmer
- 15Lees
- 36PudilBooked at 86mins
- 39Thorniley
- 32Pelupessy
- 20Reach
- 3Jones
- 18Lucas JoãoSubstituted forMatiasat 64'minutes
- 17NuhiuSubstituted forRhodesat 83'minutes
- 45ForestieriSubstituted forBoydat 80'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Rhodes
- 8Butterfield
- 19Matias
- 21Boyd
- 24Baker
- 25Dawson
- 35Nielsen
- Referee:
- Oliver Langford
- Attendance:
- 12,521
Match Stats
Home TeamQPRAway TeamSheff Wed
- Possession
- Home44%
- Away56%
- Shots
- Home16
- Away13
- Shots on Target
- Home8
- Away6
- Corners
- Home7
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away18
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Queens Park Rangers 4, Sheffield Wednesday 2.
Post update
Foul by Joey Pelupessy (Sheffield Wednesday).
Post update
Pawel Wszolek (Queens Park Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt saved. Joey Pelupessy (Sheffield Wednesday) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by George Boyd.
Post update
Offside, Sheffield Wednesday. Marco Matias tries a through ball, but Liam Palmer is caught offside.
Post update
Offside, Queens Park Rangers. Ryan Manning tries a through ball, but Matt Smith is caught offside.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Jordan Rhodes (Sheffield Wednesday) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Marco Matias.
Post update
Jordan Rhodes (Sheffield Wednesday) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Jack Robinson (Queens Park Rangers).
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Attempt blocked. Joey Pelupessy (Sheffield Wednesday) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
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Attempt missed. Darnell Furlong (Queens Park Rangers) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Luke Freeman with a cross following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Queens Park Rangers. Conceded by Tom Lees.
Booking
Daniel Pudil (Sheffield Wednesday) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Daniel Pudil (Sheffield Wednesday).
Post update
Matt Smith (Queens Park Rangers) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Offside, Sheffield Wednesday. George Boyd tries a through ball, but Jordan Rhodes is caught offside.
Substitution
Substitution, Sheffield Wednesday. Jordan Rhodes replaces Atdhe Nuhiu.
Post update
Attempt missed. Jordan Cousins (Queens Park Rangers) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
