QPR grabbed a deserved away point against Swansea to lift themselves three points clear of the relegation zone.
The Swans led at half-time thanks to a fine drive from Danny Graham, before Jamie Mackie's second-half strike helped the visitors to a share of the points.
The game between two sides playing in England's second-tier last season began in an attacking manner.
Graham managed to latch onto a Joe Allen corner kick only to see it cleared by QPR's defence, before the striker just failed to meet Wayne Routledge's curling cross.
It came as no surprise when the Swans notched the opener in the 14th minute.
Graham received Routledge's chipped pass before curling a superb drive into the bottom right-hand corner.
Ex-Newcastle United man Joey Barton almost got the equaliser for the visitors only minutes later, when his thunderous 25-yard strike was palmed over by Netherlands international goalkeeper Michel Vorm.
Allen's corner for the hosts saw Ashley Williams head an effort a wide of the goal, with Graham poking his cheeky effort into the side netting.
Graham was back in action not soon after when he impressively held off Fitz Hall on 37 minutes, but saw his low drive saved by QPR goalkeeper Paddy Kenny.
QPR mounted an attack in the closing moments of the first half, when Luke Young's clever cross successfully found Heidar Helguson in the box.
But the Icelandic striker's header narrowly flew over the crossbar from eight yards out.
The 34-year-old went close to equalising again when he nodded over a ball from Barton.
QPR began the second half the more impressive team, with Adel Taarabt - restored to the starting XI - showing off his skills by exchanging passes with Barton before drilling a fierce shot wide of the Swansea goal.
The Londoners then drew level with just over half an hour to go.
Kenny hit a long ball upfield and, after a defensive error from Swansea's Leon Britton, Mackie ran through before lifting the ball over Vorm.
Swansea were lucky not to concede another goal only minutes later, when Vorm produced a miraculous save from another Mackie effort.
With 18 minutes left to run, the home side had a penalty shout turned down when Armand Traore brought down Graham, only to see referee Lee Probert wave play onward.
Taarabt was straight up the other end moments later and struck a marvellous 25-yard effort towards the bottom corner, only to see Vorm palm the ball away to keep Swansea level.
The result moved QPR a point further away from the relegation zone, while Swansea edge to 14th.
0 comments:
Post a Comment