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Swansea forward Andre Ayew celebrates his eighth goal of the season
Swansea City moved up to the Championship automatic promotion spots as goals from Andre Ayew and Jamal Lowe gave them a 2-0 win over Queens Park Rangers.
Leading scorer Ayew headed into an empty net to put Steve Cooper’s team ahead at the end of a first half in which the Rangers had been the best team.
Lowe then ran clear early in the second period to score for the fourth time in as many games and put the visitors firmly in control.
Swansea’s third win in four games means they overtake Bournemouth and move to second in the table, four points behind leader Norwich City.
The Rangers, by contrast, are hovering above relegation spots after a troubling eight-game winless sequence.
Swansea threatened first, as Lowe cleverly combined with Yan Dhanda before brushing a shot too close to goalkeeper Seny Dieng.
Then Dhanda forced a decent save from Dieng, but the Rangers dictated for long periods with Swansea without their usual composure on possession.
There were numerous dangerous deliveries in the Swans area and it was Macauley Bonne who came closest to taking advantage, as his firm header was expertly saved by Swansea goalkeeper Freddie Woodman.
Dominic Ball then saw a 20-yard drive drift off target before sending a header off the far post without causing damage over the top.
QPR was asking questions of Steve Cooper’s lauded rearguard, but the first goal came at the other end as Rangers old man Jake Bidwell soared higher to find a cross from teammate Connor Roberts.
Bidwell’s effort on goal was deflected to the post by Yoann Barbet’s stretch, and Ayew left with the simple task of heading for the empty net.
Swansea took a break early in the second half thanks to a lethal counterattack.
QPR forward Macauley Bonne tangles with Swansea’s Ryan Bennett
Matt Grimes claimed a remarkable assist, with his perfect pass that allowed Lowe to smash through a gap in the Hoops defense before launching a low shot past the defenseless Dieng.
Lowe, brimming with confidence thanks to his scoring streak, then threw another effort far off target as the Rangers’ rearguard staggered once more.
Warburton made a series of substitutions to try to inspire a comeback, but Swansea, the team with the best defensive record in the EFL, held on to victory in relative comfort.
Swansea Head Coach Steve Cooper:
“We are very happy with the victory. I thought it was a close match, to tell the truth, in the first half. We were very happy to come with the lead.”
“The second part was about managing the game, not just in terms of not conceding, but I thought we could manage our attacking moments and it went well.
“It was a great Grimesy dance [Matt Grimes] and a brilliant goal from Jamal.
“I thought it was a very good performance again and we were good for the win. We were very professional with the way we did it and the guys deserve a lot of credit.”
- Lineups Match Statistics Live Text
QPR lineups
- 13Dieng4Dickie20Cameron6Barbet2KaneReplaced by Adomahat 77’minutes22CarrollReplaced byWillockat 77’minutes12BallBooked in 79 minutes25HämäläinenReplaced by Osay-Samuelat 66’minutes9Dykes10Chair7BonneReplaced byKelmanat 66’minutes
Substitutes
- 11Osayi-Samuel19Thomas21Willock23Masterson26Bettache29Kelman32Kelly37Adomah41Duke-McKenna
Swansea
- 1Woodman44Cabango2Bennett5Guehi23Roberts6Fulton8Grimes24Bidwell21DhandaReserved at 34 minutesReplaced by Smithat 65 minutes 10A Ayew9Lowe
Substitutes
- 3Manning7Smith13Benda14Gyökeres15Routledge22Latibeaudiere31Cooper41Garrick45Palmer
Referee: Steve MartinMatch StatsHome TeamQPRAway TeamSwanseaPossessionHome66% Away34% ShotsHome12Away6 Shots on targetHome1Away4CornersHome7Away3FoulsHome16Away12Live TextPost update
Match ends, Queens Park Rangers 0, Swansea City 2.
90 ‘+ 4’ Full time
Second Half ends, Queens Park Rangers 0, Swansea City 2.
90 ‘+ 2’Post update
Robert Dickie (Queens Park Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90 ‘+ 2’Post update
Foul by Jamal Lowe (Swansea City).
90 ‘+ 2’Post update
Failed attempt. Comes Close! But it is lost to the left. Chris Willock (Queens Park Rangers) left footed shot from the center of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Bright Samuel with a cross.
90’Post update
Foul by Bright Samuel (Queens Park Rangers).
90’Post update
Jay Fulton (Swansea City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
87’Post update
Chris Willock (Queens Park Rangers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
87’Post update
Foul by Matt Grimes (Swansea City).
85 ‘Post update
Offside, Swansea City. Connor Roberts tried a through ball, but Andre Ayew was caught offside.
85 ‘Post update
Corner, Swansea City. Corner committed by Robert Dickie.
83’Post update
Corner, Swansea City. Corner committed by Robert Dickie.
82’Post update
Failed attempt. It goes too high. Yoann Barbet (Queens Park Rangers) left footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Ilias Chair with a cross into the box after a corner kick.
82’Post update
Corner, Queens Park Rangers. Corner committed by Jake Bidwell.
82’Post update
Auction rejected. Attempt blocked. Chris Willock (Queens Park Rangers) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Albert Adomah.
80’Post update
Failed attempt. Attempt missed. Ben Cabango (Swansea City) header from the center of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Connor Roberts with a cross following a set piece.
79 ‘Reserve
Dominic Ball (Queens Park Rangers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
79’Post update
Foul by Dominic Ball (Queens Park Rangers).
79’Post update
Jay Fulton (Swansea City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
77 ‘Substitution
Change, Queens Park Rangers. Chris Willock replaces Tom Carroll.
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Source: bbc.com
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