REPORT: Owls 1-0 QPR
The Owls’ impressive run of form continued as a first half goal from Gary Hooper was enough to beat QPR.
Wednesday deserved their sixth win in nine games having turned in a dominant display against the Londoners, who themselves were in good shape, going five games unbeaten,
But Rangers were undone by a home side with the bit between their teeth and out to cement their top six berth.
And it was all the Owls in the opening exchanges, with crisp passing movements causing concern in the Rangers ranks.
Fernando Forestieri fired a snapshot that Alex Smithies saved before Daniel Pudil came within a lick of paint of a second goal in as many games when his close range volley crashed against the crossbar.
The R’s had the odd foray upfield but found full debut keeper Cameron Dawson in solid pedigree between the sticks.
By and large, though, it was the Owls that pressed time and again as the visitors’ rearguard wobbled under the pressure and the only thing missing was the goal.
But that changed five minutes before half time when the hosts got the breakthrough they deserved.
Adam Reach inadvertently found Hooper in space six yards out and the striker swivelled to dispatch beyond the outrushing Smithies.
A lively start to the second half saw Rangers go close to an equaliser but for a stunning Dawson save after the ball fell kindly in the box to Nedum Onuoha.
But the Owls were unmoved and marched back to the other end, where Hooper was a whisker away from connection to a Reach cross at the back post.
Forestieri fired narrowly wide with 13 minutes to go - and again at the death - after a period of Rangers bossing the ball before the final whistle went to signal three points for the home side and a clean sheet to boot.
Wednesday: Dawson, Hunt (Palmer 70), Hutchinson, Lees, Pudil, Bannan, Lee (Wallace 85), Jones, Reach, Forestieri, Hooper (Fletcher 74)