Vital win takes QPR well clear of drop zone
Burton 1 QPR 3
Second-half goals from Conor Washington and Massimo Luongo took QPR nine points clear of the relegation zone.
Aramide Oteh’s first senior goal put Rangers ahead, Lloyd Dyer equalised and Washington hit the post before restoring Rangers’ lead.
Luongo sealed the victory with four minutes remaining, finishing coolly after Washington had pulled the ball back from the left.
The visitors opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark when Josh Scowen clipped a clever ball out to the right for Darnell Furlong, who set up Oteh to score from close range.
Less than two minutes later, QPR were unable to clear their lines and Dyer drifted across from the left and tapped in an equaliser.
But Washington struck with 15 minutes left, rounding keeper Stephen Bywater and slotting home after being put through by Luke Freeman.
It came soon after Washington had cut in from the left and fired against the woodwork after being found by Oteh.
Rangers had also appealed in vain for a second-half penalty after Kyle McFadzean fell on the ball, seemingly touching it with his hands.
Oteh, signed last year after being released by Tottenham, missed a great chance after just two minutes.
Washington flicked the ball towards the 19-year-old forward, who spun away from John Brayford only to shoot over with just Bywater to beat.
The recalled Washington also had an early chance courtesy of a ricochet after Freeman played the ball into the box, but the striker’s shot brought a near-post save from Bywater.
In the end, however, Washington got the goal – his first since October – his hardworking performance deserved and then set up Luongo’s late third.
QPR (3-5-2): Smithies; Onuoha, Lynch, Robinson; Furlong, Scowen, Luongo. Freeman (Manning 89), Bidwell; Oteh (Smith 73), Washington.
Subs not used: Ingram, Perch, Wszolek, Sylla, Eze.
