QPR 1-3 Barnsley: Tykes record sixth straight win to keep up play-off push
- Published
Carlton Morris has scored four goals in 10 games for Barnsley since joining in January
Barnsley beat QPR to record a sixth successive victory and keep up their unlikely play-off push.
The visitors took the lead through Daryl Dike's near-post header from Alex Mowatt's corner but Charlie Austin quickly levelled with a tap in after Brad Collins had parried Yoann Barbet's initial effort.
Mowatt restored Barnsley's advantage just two minutes later with a wonderful free-kick into the top corner.
Sub Carlton Morris finished well after being played in behind the home defence by Mowatt's brilliant ball over the top.
It is only the second time the Tykes have won six games in a row in the second tier and the first in 100 years, having last achieved the feat between May and September 1921.
Valerien Ismael's men are now unbeaten in eight league games and challenging for a return to the Premier League for the first time since being relegated in 1998.
The game came to life with three goals across a six-minute spell in the first half, but once Mowatt restored the Barnsley lead with a brilliant free-kick in the 29th minute the hosts rarely looked like getting back into it.
The South Yorkshire side welcome struggling Birmingham on Saturday, while Mark Warburton's men visit improving Bristol City.
QPR manager Mark Warburton:
"Barnsley are very good at what they do. They're direct, commit bodies forward and take risks at the back.
"We had to time our runs and not play to their strengths. In the first 10 minutes we did that and created a couple of great chances. We've got to get our rewards.
"We've got to be better in front of goal. If you give away set-pieces and don't take your own rewards, you pay the price.
"At 2-1 down we've got to be patient, make sure we impose ourselves on the game and don't play to their strengths. To then give away a goal like that - we're attacking down the left and then don't get into shape - is criminal."
Barnsley boss Valerien Ismael told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"I think it was a great performance from the guys.
"It was one of the first times this season that we had a two-goal lead to manage and I think we did it well.
"Alex Mowatt was fantastic. He's playing at a high level and he's a great example for the young guys.
"We're just focused on ourselves and the next game. We want to keep the pressure up on our opponents."