Queens Park Rangers 0-1 Reading: Michael Olise scores spectacular long-range winner to hand Royals victory
- Published
Substitute Michael Olise's long-range strike snatched the points for Reading
Michael Olise celebrated his 19th birthday with a spectacular winner to give Reading a late win over QPR.
The game looked destined to end goalless until the second-half substitute struck a left-footed shot past Seny Dieng in the 89th minute.
Ilias Chair went closest for the home side when his curling effort came back off the inside of the post with 13 minutes remaining.
The result means QPR are now without a win in their last five matches.
Chair looked the most likely to strike in the opening stages, twice going close, before Michael Morrison headed Reading's first opportunity wide from a corner.
Reading were forced into a defensive reshuffle after 27 minutes with Omar Richards being replaced by Lewis Gibson.
The hosts looked to take advantage but Royals goalkeeper Rafael Cabral was alert to get his hand to a dangerous Bright Osayi-Samuel cross destined for Tom Carroll.
QPR's joint top goal scorer Ilias Chair (right) was a lively presence but couldn't add to his five league goals this season
Reading were struggling to create openings but improved dramatically with the second-half introduction of Olise, who went close minutes after joining the action.
With time running out, he cut back in-field onto his left foot before hitting a beautifully-struck shot past the despairing dive of Dieng to claim the points.
QPR had twice gone close to winning it themselves in the closing stages with Chair's effort hitting the post, before Royals defender Lewis Gibson made a crucial block to deny Albert Adomah.
The defeat sees QPR drop a place to 19th with Reading remaining fifth, level on points with Swansea and Watford above them.
QPR boss Mark Warburton told BBC Radio London:
"I'm more than disappointed for the players and the fans, who it was great to have back in today.
"They saw lots of good quality and effort from the players.
"It was a world-class strike [from Olise] but it was the one shot in the game they had I think.
"We certainly didn't deserve to lose the game. It is a tough one for the players as a lot of work went in and they didn't get the rewards."
Reading manager Veljko Paunovic told BBC Radio Berkshire:
"It was a fantastic performance, a superb result especially the way it came for us and it was a great team spirit.
"We lost players but this team is always ready, they know what they can expect and everyone has to be ready for their opportunity.
"Everyone worked so hard, everyone was committed and we are very pleased with the performance"