Dykes double secures comfortable QPR win over Sheffield Wednesday

Queens Park Rangers got back to winning ways in the Championship, after an impressive 4-1 victory over relegation threatened Sheffield Wednesday

QPR afforded an early chance for Lyndon Dykes when Chris Willock delivered towards the back post, however the Scot was only able to head over.

All of the early pressure came from the hosts as Chris Willock’s shot was stopped well by Joe Wildsmith.

Sheffield Wednesday were the team desperate for these three points and after the early onslaught, the Owls settled into the fixture and controlled possession of the ball.

The visitors exclaimed for a penalty after 15 minutes after a Barry Bannan free-kick was floated into the area, but referee John Brooks waved away the protests.

Despite feeling their way back into the contest, Wednesday fell behind on 21 minutes. Yoann Barbet’s cross was superbly directed home by Dykes to give the home side the advantage.

The visitors responsded just minutes later as Adam Reach’s run culminated in a pass to Josh Windass. The Owls forward had the goal at his mercy and finished well low past Seny Dieng to level the score.

A glance at the half-time scores wouldn’t comforted Owls fans as Birmingham and Wycombe both led. The second 45 minutes appeared crucial to any hopes of survival.

Just as was seen during the first 45, QPR started on top and regained the lead in the 50th minute through Stefan Johansen. The on-loan midfielder’s shot deflected off the head of Osaze Urhoghide to wrong foot Wildsmith in the Wednesday net.

The goal kicked Wednesday into action with Jordan Rhodes failing to convert a close-range effort after some pinball in the QPR area.

Their frailty at the back continued to be their downfall and Rangers found their third on the hour mark. A cross in from Rob Dickie found Chris Willock, who could only head the ball straight into the air. The ball found Dykes’ header who directed the ball past Wildsmith for his second of the afternoon.

Wednesday continued to look positive in their attacking play, with substitute Elias Kachunga heading over from close range after a Windass cross. The message from that point on was ‘there’s plenty of time’ from the away dugout, but only 15 minutes remained for Darren Moore’s team to reduce the two-goal deficit.

Windass almost fired a strike into the top corner but for all their endeavour, the risk of a fourth was always a factor as Willock and Dykes both displayed by going close.

A flurry of substitutions failed to disrupt the flow of the game and the closing minutes failed to produce any chances of note for Sheffield Wednesday.

Willock added a fourth in injury-time for the hosts after substitute George Thomas squared the ball to the forward.

Moore’s men find themselves seven points from safety and are now looking likely to spend next season in League One, with Birmingham’s win at Stoke only adding further damage to the result in West London.

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