in BUCS:
Sheffield Wednesday continued their bid for promotion with a comfortable 1-0 victory over QPR on Saturday.
Gary Hooper netted the only goal of the game just before half-time in a tense match with few clear-cut chances.
Wednesday started off the brighter of the two but created very little in the first 20 minutes, with the best chance coming to QPR after stand-in Wednesday keeper Cameron Dawson’s scuffed clearance came to Tjaronn Cherry whose long-range effort was saved.
The first big chance of the game went to Wednesday, with Daniel Pudil’s close-range volley thumping the woodwork after the ball was headed across the box from a corner.
QPR opened the scoring through Connor Washington’s back post header but it was disallowed for an obvious push on the defender.
Wednesday did break the deadlock in the 40th minute when David Jones’ scuffed his volley straight to Hooper who fired past Alex Smithies for his fourth of the season.
The game slowed in the second half with Wednesday’s midfield controlling the game and QPR were unable to create any chances.
Gary Hooper twice had the chance to double Wednesday’s lead and a quiet Fernando Forestieri fired just past the post towards the end.
QPR did mount some pressure on Wednesday in the last five minutes, and nearly levelled the score after Dawson fumbled the ball in the box, but Chery’s shot was well blocked on the line.
Following the game, Carvalhal praised his player’s resilience and said: “We are in a good way in the league.”
“The Championship is unique. The number of games, the crowds and the intensity – it is unique. And this is a situation we need to be able to play in.”
The win marks the end of a successful week for Wednesday, despite Carlo Carvalhal calling it their toughest week in the season so far.
It was their third win in the last five games, and places them fifth in the table whilst QPR drop down to 13th.
