Football | Sunderland 0 - 1 Queens Park Rangers

QPR picked up three points at promotion chasing Sunderland to end the season

Tommo was in the away end and provided some analysis of the match

QPR, temporarily under the stewardship of assistant coaches Kevin Betsy and Xavi Calm due to head coach Martí Cifuentes being placed on gardening leave, arrived on Wearside with a point to prove after last weekend’s heavy defeat to already-promoted Burnley.

Their hosts Sunderland, eyeing a potential return to the Premier League, were seeking a return to form after four successive defeats in the Championship. Régis Le Bris' side needed momentum ahead of the play-offs and saw this fixture as a chance to reignite their push.

Our fans were in fine voice throughout

Rangers made three changes to the side that had lined up in W12 seven days earlier. Joe Walsh came in for his first start of the campaign, while Ilias Chair and Michael Frey were also named in the starting eleven.

Paul Nardi travelled but was left out of the matchday squad. January signing Esquerdinha was included among the substitutes for the first time. Ken Paal was not involved, while Rayan Kolli took a place on the bench.

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The visitors set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation: Walsh in goal, with a back four of Jimmy Dunne, Ronnie Edwards, Liam Morrison and Jack Colback. Jonathan Varane and Madsen anchored midfield, behind a trio of Harrison Ashby, Kader Dembele and Chair, with Frey leading the line.

QPR made the ideal start, taking the lead inside five minutes. A slick move saw Ashby burst down the right and pull the ball back to Madsen, who controlled neatly before guiding his finish past Anthony Patterson from the edge of the area. It was the Dane’s third goal of the season.

Sunderland responded with two early efforts. In the eighth minute, Eliezer Mayenda forced a smart save from Walsh, and five minutes later, Luke O'Nien tested the keeper again from just outside the box.

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Despite those chances, the first half lacked attacking fluency, with QPR managing the game well and maintaining their one-goal advantage through to the interval.

Strong defensive display in the second-half

Chair, who looked to have rolled his ankle during the first half, did not reappear after the break and was replaced by Kolli.

The home side pushed forward almost immediately. Within two minutes of the restart, Enzo Le Fée found Patrick Roberts unmarked at the far post, but the winger headed wide when he should have done better.

QPR stood firm as Sunderland increased the pressure. Edwards produced a key intervention just before the hour, blocking Jobe Bellingham’s close-range effort with bravery and timing.

Colback was withdrawn shortly after and replaced by Morgan Fox, who slotted in at left-back. As the half progressed, Sunderland saw more of the ball, but struggled to convert their possession into clear chances. The home support grew increasingly frustrated as QPR slowed the tempo and disrupted play.

Dembele, who appeared to pick up a knock, was replaced by Lucas Andersen with just under 20 minutes remaining.

In truth, the visitors were rarely troubled in the closing stages. Walsh was called upon once more in the 86th minute to push away Dan Ballard’s header, but it was a rare moment of threat in an otherwise composed defensive display.

QPR held out through six minutes of added time to seal a well-earned victory, finishing the season on 56 points and securing 15th place in the Championship table.