Report: QPR 1-2 Owls
The Owls registered a fourth successive win with a 2-1 Easter Monday triumph at QPR.
The goals came in the first half as Adam Reach struck for the visitors, who were pegged back by Idrissa Sylla.
But Daniel Pudil’s second goal of the season ultimately clinched the points for Wednesday and Carlos Carvalhal’s side stay in the top six with three games left to play.
All the attacking threat in the early stages was with the Owls and they made it count with their first clear chance 12 minutes in.
Jordan Rhodes and Pudil linked down the left and the ball sat up nicely for Reach to slot home across Alex Smithies.
The Owls were comfortable and possession stayed in their favour – until Rangers struck on the counter to level on 21 minutes.
Jamie Mackie made inroads down the left of the penalty area and a loose ball fell to Sylla, who shimmied past his marker and drilled past Keiren Westwood.
The keeper, though, played a key role in restoring the Owls’ advantage on the half-hour mark.
Westwood spotted Gary Hooper in space and found the striker with a terrific ball that forced a foul.
Ross Wallace’s free kick found Jordan Rhodes, Smithies saved and Pudil nodded home at the far post.
It was almost 3-1 before half time as Reach found Wallace in space in the box but a perfectly timed challenge from Jack Robinson halted the danger.
But Rangers hit back themselves on 40 minutes and this time it was Westwood coming to Wednesday’s rescue, tipping superbly over the bar from a Sylla back header.
Jake Birdwell skied from a set piece straight after the restart and QPR went on to ask more of the questions.
The Owls were on the back foot but then went close against the run of play when Barry Bannan hit narrowly over the crossbar.
Substitutes Fernando Forestieri and Atdhe Nuhiu combined well with nine minutes to go but the former was denied by a Bidwell block.
That was as good as it good for either side in the final third and although Rangers finished the stronger, Wednesday never really looked under threat and three more vital points came back to Sheffield.
Wednesday: Westwood, Palmer, Loovens, Lees, Pudil, Wallace (Semedo 67), Bannan, Jones, Reach, Hooper (Forestieri 67), Rhodes (Nuhiu 76)