QPR edge Reading thanks to late Nedum Onuoha header

Updated: May 17, 2023, 03:08 pm
QPR recorded back-to-back victories with Thursday's 1-0 win.
Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Nedum Onuoha hit the late winner to make Reading pay for profligacy in front of goal as QPR recorded a 1-0 win at the Madejski Stadium.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is expected to be named as Rangers' new manager on Friday morning and it means interim manager Neil Warnock will hand over the reins after back-to-back victories.

The hosts had chances to win the game but failed to really test Rob Green and they were made to pay when Onuoha headed home Alejandro Faurlin's corner but Royals goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi should really have done better.

The win sees QPR move up to 11th place, just two points outside the playoff places, whilst Reading missed the opportunity to climb into the top-six.

Reading chairman Sir John Madejski was celebrating his 25th anniversary in charge of the club but despite creating numerous opportunities they failed to fire a shot on target.

The first half was a quiet affair with QPR dominating the opening spell of possession but it was Reading who had the best of the chances.

The home side were awarded two free-kicks in promising positions within five minutes of each other but despite midfielder Oliver Norwood's inch-perfect delivery, no-one could get on the end of them.

Rangers' best attempt came from Canadian winger Junior Hoilett after he broke through the Royals defence but he could only fire straight at keeper Al Habsi.

Former Blackpool winger Matty Phillips was a consistent threat for QPR after the break, linking well with Hoilett on the wing and causing the Reading defence headaches with his direct approach.

The home side had a clear chance to go ahead just before the hour mark when a corner found the head of captain Michael Hector but he couldn't keep the ball down and it sailed narrowly over the bar.

And moments later the Royals came within an inch of taking the lead when a superb free-kick from Nick Blackman had Green beaten but the ball came back off the crossbar.

And Reading's wastefulness would prove costly when QPR went ahead with just a minute left on the clock.

Faurlin delivered a dangerous corner into the box and Onuoha met it at the far post with a downward header that Al-Habsi fumbled into the net.

Boos echoed around the ground at the final whistle as Reading's poor run was extended to just one win in eight.