Report | Queens Park Rangers 1 Swansea City 2
Swansea City recorded back-to-back away wins for the first time this season as Ronald’s early strike and a Zan Vipotnik penalty proved enough to seal three points against Queens Park Rangers at MATRADE Loftus Road.
The Brazilian fired home what proved to be the winner in just the second minute, after Jay Fulton’s pass had found its way between two covering defenders.
Swansea were rarely troubled aside from one first-half Isaac Hayden effort, with their pressing work without the ball forcing their hosts into countless errors.
Leo Walta, Adam Idah, Josh Tymon and Liam Cullen were all denied opportunities to extend the lead, but Vipotnik would seal the win with a penalty – after Jisung Eom was adjudged to have been fouled in the area – as the Slovenian netted his 24th goal of the season.
Rhys Norrington-Davies pulled a goal back for the hosts in the final seconds of the 90 minutes, but the Swans saw the game out.
It extended Swansea’s unbeaten run in this corner of west London to seven games, and continued what is proving to be a positive end to the season for Vitor Matos and his side.
The Swans had handed Adam Idah his first start since making his return from a long lay-off with a hamstring injury, while Jay Fulton, Ronald and Leo Walta also came into the team.
Academy starlet Thomas Woodward, meanwhile, was named among the substitutes.
Steve Cook captained the hosts on his 100th appearance for the Rs, while Rurman Burrell returned to their starting line-up and other recent injury returnees Illias Chair, Paul Smyth and Nicolas Madsen were on the bench.
But it was the Swans who made the dream start with Ronald marking his return to the side with a well-taken right-footed finish, after two defenders had got themselves in a muddle trying to cut out a floated pass towards the Brazilian.
Swansea built on the early goal by dominating the opening exchanged, with Idah’s intelligent hold-up play bringing others into the game and forcing the hosts onto the back foot.
Ronald and Melker Widell delivered at the end of fluent attacks but Swansea had a let-off when one loose pass allowed Rayan Kolli a sight of goal, and the Rangers’ forward put his left-footed effort wide.
But Swansea were soon back in the ascendancy and only a piece of misfortune saw Goncalo Franco’s intended pass for Ronald strike the winger’s heel when he looked set to be heading through on goal.
Lawrence Vigouroux made a good step from Hayden 25 minutes in after the midfielder had found room to set his sights from the edge of the area, before Kieran Morgan thumped a volley high over the crossbar.
Swansea hit back and ended the half well, Sam Parker had a shot saved with QPR keeper Joe Walsh just about managing to block Idah’s effort on the rebound, while Walta also stung the gloves of the home stopper as the visitors retained their lead at the break.
The Swans started the second half well, Ronald and Parker getting forward down the right, before Franco had a firm drive parried by Walsh.
The keeper then repeated the measure after Walta had worked space to pull the trigger 20 yards from goal.
Swansea were firmly in the ascendancy, and QPR boss Julien Stephan elected to make four changes in one fell swoop on the hour mark.
But there was little sign of a change to the pattern of play, and Matos soon freshened up his own ranks with Vipotnik, Jisung Eom and Malick Yalcouye introduced.
Cameron Burgess made a good block after Paul Smyth had scythed infield from the left with 20 minutes to play, but most of the play was with Swansea, and Josh Tymon became the latest player be denied by Walsh.
Even when the keeper was beaten an excellent defensive block prevented Cullen netting from an Eom pull-back.
But when Eom was brought down as he was breaking into the area, Vipotnik stepped up and converted the spot-kick to give Swansea breathing space, with Norrington-Davies' late goal merely a consolation for the home side.
Swansea City: Lawrence Vigouroux; Sam Parker (Joel Ward 73), Ben Cabango (captain), Cameron Burgess, Josh Tymon; Jay Fulton, Goncalo Franco (Jisung Eom 66), Leo Walta (Malick Yalcouye 66); Ronald, Melker Widell (Liam Cullen 76), Adam Idah (Zan Vipotnik 66).
Unused Substitutes: Andy Fisher, Marko Stamenic, Gustavo Nunes, Liam Cullen, Thomas Woodward.
Queens Park Rangers: Joe Walsh, Kealey Adamson, Steve Cook (captain) (Ttlon Smith 61), Isaac Hayden Nicolas Madsen 61), Rurman Burrell (Richard Kone 61), Kwame Poku (Paul Smyth 29), Rhys Norrington-Davies, Harvey Vale, Kieran Morgan, Rayan Kolli (Ilias Chair 60), Ronnie Edwards.
Unused Substitutes: Ben Hamer, Nicolas Madsen, Amadou Mbengue, Esquerdinha, Jonathan Varane.
Referee: Leigh Doughty
Attendance: