Queens Park Rangers 1-2 Swansea City: Zan Vipotnik scores again in Swans win
Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship match between Queens Park Rangers and Swansea City at Loftus Road on Tuesday night; Ronald and Zan Vipotnik steer Swans to victory in west London.
Tuesday 21 April 2026 23:03, UK
Steve Cook ruined his own QPR leaving party by gifting Swansea an early goal in their 2-1 win at Loftus Road.
The 35-year-old defender was making his 100th and final appearance for Rangers after the club announced on Monday he is leaving when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Cook, who played 180 times in the Premier League for Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest before joining Rangers in 2023, was named captain for the night and given a rousing reception by the home fans.
However, less than two minutes had elapsed when Melker Widell lifted a hopeful ball towards the edge of the Rangers box.
Cook slid in to try to clear the danger, but succeeded only in tripping team-mate Rhys Norrington-Davies while the ball ran through to Ronald.
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The Brazilian winger could hardly believe his luck as he tucked his finish beyond home keeper Joe Walsh for his first goal since September.
It was a nightmare start for Rangers and Cook, who will not feature in the final two fixtures of the season and has yet to confirm whether he will continue his playing career elsewhere or potentially take a coaching role with the Hoops.
Swansea, who like Rangers have little to play for with both sides stuck firmly in mid-table, doubled their lead with a controversial late penalty tucked in by top scorer Zan Vipotnik before Norrington-Davies scored a stoppage-time consolation.
Rangers, stung by falling behind so early, tried to hit back with Rumarn Burrell teeing up Rayan Koli, whose shot flew across goal and wide.
Isaac Hayden's drive from 20 yards out then forced a fine save from Swans keeper Lawrence Vigouroux, before Kieran Morgan blazed over the crossbar.
Swansea were denied a second before half-time by a smart double save from Walsh, who beat out Sam Parker's shot and blocked the rebound from Adam Idah.
After the break Walsh palmed away Goncalo Franco's long-range effort and held Idah's drive, before at the other end Harvey Vale floated a free-kick just over Vigouroux's crossbar.
Despite his mistake, Cook was given a standing ovation when he was replaced on the hour mark.
But Swansea went two up after Tylon Smith fouled Eom Ji-Sung 10 minutes from the end.
The contact was clearly outside the area but referee John Busby pointed to the spot and Vipotnik tucked in his 24th goal of the season.
Norrington-Davies headed in the rebound after Paul Smyth hit the crossbar but it was too late for Rangers to find an equaliser.
The managers
QPR's Julien Stephan:
"I think to concede a goal like this very early in the game had a strong impact on how we played the first half.
"But I don't want to think about that with Steve Cook. I want to think about the relationship that we had this season, what he did in the dressing room for the players, what he did for the club the last three years, how he played this season.
"I want to remember that with Steve Cook, and not the first goal we conceded today, because Cookie was an important player for us this season, on the pitch, out of the pitch, and top professional as well. So I want to wish him the best for the future."
Swansea's Vitor Matos:
"Really pleased, it was a good game from us. We tried to dominate with and without the ball.
"We could have scored a second from open play but we didn't. We were not lucky with the penalty. It was a bad decision."
