Queens Park Rangers vs Sheffield United. Sky Bet Championship.
Loftus Road StadiumAttendance13,604.
Tuesday 31 October 2017 23:27, UK
An extraordinary error by goalkeeper Jamal Blackman proved costly for Sheffield United, who lost top spot in the Sky Bet Championship after being beaten 1-0 at QPR.
Idrissa Sylla's early goal clinched a second home victory in three days for Ian Holloway's side, who beat high-flying Wolves on Saturday. However, Wolves capitalised on United's slip-up at Loftus Road by winning at Norwich to move back to the top of the table.
There seemed to be little danger for United when Blackman came to gather Jordan Cousins' ball into the box in the fourth minute. But the on-loan Chelsea man misjudged the bounce of the ball and then dropped it after colliding with team-mate Cameron Carter-Vickers, gifting the waiting Sylla a simple tap-in.
Blackman, who appeared to land awkwardly, was then carried off on a stretcher following several minutes of treatment on the pitch.
Luck was on Rangers' side again when Jack O'Connell missed a sitter, steering his shot wide of the target when found unmarked by Paul Coutts' left-wing corner. And United then missed another great chance to equalise, this time when former QPR striker Leon Clarke fired over after being picked out by David Brooks' cross from the left.
Clarke was also denied at close range by Alex Smithies, who dived at his feet to save following more good work on the left by the dangerous Brooks.
QPR, who battled spiritedly throughout, also threatened during a lively first half. Simon Moore, who replaced Blackman, back-pedalled to just about keep out Sylla's first-time strike from long range following Conor Washington's neat lay-off.
The Rangers front pairing combined again just after the half-hour mark when Sylla headed over from Washington's beautifully-delivered cross.
Early in the second half, Sylla directed a header narrowly wide and United made a change in attack, bringing on Billy Sharp for the ineffective Clayton Donaldson. Sharp was soon involved in the action, testing Smithies with a low shot the Rangers keeper was down quickly to hold. Sharp also crossed from the left for Clarke, who nodded into the net but was offside.
At the other end, Massimo Luongo curled an effort wide and R's substitute Jamie Mackie blasted over after being set up by the excellent Luke Freeman, who caused United constant problems.
Ian Holloway: "I'm very, very proud of my players. My senior pros at the moment are leading the way. My senior players are doing what I want them to and it's a great time for the younger players to be at the club. I knew this was happening, as did anyone who watched the team, because we'd been playing well. This division is so tough, but don't write us off. We're looking to bring the club together and my lads feel really good about themselves.
"That is a fantastic team we played against. We got a very lucky goal but we forced that - we put three up front and wanted to see how they could deal with what we've got. It was a big win and we needed it. We had a big win as well against Wolves on Saturday and now let's see if we can get that first away win. It feels great. It's so important to find that buzz and the fans are starting to trust their team."
Chris Wilder: Our start wasn't the greatest, with the injury to Jamal and the goal, but I just didn't think we deserved anything. I'm disappointed with my team. We've been out-fought and out-battled and didn't show enough quality. We knew that they were going to press and get at us and we needed to show composure, but we didn't.
"We were also sloppy in the second half of the game. It's not been a good night and ended in a deserved defeat. It's maybe a little reality check. Everybody's received an enormous amount of praise. I thought we took a backward step tonight."
