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.
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.
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.
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.
Subs not used: Ingram, Baptiste, Chair, Osayi-Samuel, Oteh.
