Rangers hit back to see off Wednesday

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QPR 2 Sheffield Wednesday 1

Andy Johnson netted a first-half winner for QPR as they overcame a bumpy start to life in the Championship.

Joey Barton made a surprise return for the home side, who were on top before Adthe Nuhiu put Sheffield Wednesday ahead.

But they responded strongly and were rewarded when Nedum Onuoha diverted Junior Hoilett’s 39th-minute shot into the net – the defender’s first goal for Rangers.

And Johnson struck three minutes later, heading in the loose ball after Barton had been denied at the far post by keeper Chris Kirkland.

Rangers gave debuts to Danny Simpson and Karl Henry, while fellow new signing Charlie Austin came on as a substitute midway through the second half.

But it was Wednesday’s debutant who announced his arrival in style on 18 minutes.

Turkey-born striker Nuhiu, picked up on a free transfer, fired home from near the edge of the box after wriggling away from Armand Traore and Clint Hill.

It came against the run of play, as Rangers had dominated the opening stages with Hoilett shooting over before Johnson had an effort deflected narrowly wide and another well saved.

After QPR fell behind, Hoilett and Bobby Zamora both missed chances to equalise.

Hoilett could not keep his volley down after being picked out by Barton’s right-wing cross, and Zamora then fired straight at Kirkland after Simpson’s cross had been headed on by Johnson.

Rangers eventually got the breakthrough they deserved, but had to ride their luck in the second half and were fortunate not to be pegged back three minutes after the restart following a mistake by Traore.

Jermaine Johnson pounced after the full-back’s error and teed up Michail Antonio, who contrived to lift the ball over the bar with only keeper Rob Green to beat.

Rangers had another let-off when substitute Jacques Maghoma was booked for diving despite appearing to be tripped in the area by Barton shortly after the controversial midfielder had been yellow-carded for a foul.

And shortly after Austin’s introduction, the R’s had yet another lucky escape when Maghoma’s left-footed drive hit the post.

QPR were worthy winners nonetheless and the determined Hoilett was unlucky not to score before Simpson’s late cross was headed over by Austin.

QPR (4-4-2): Green; Simpson, Onuoha, Hill, Traore; Barton (Wright-Phillips 80), Henry, Faurlin, Hoilett (Jenas 87); Johnson, Zamora (Austin 68).
Subs not used: Murphy, Derry, Dunne,  Yun.

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