Queens Park Rangers 1-3 Norwich City: Promoted Canaries move closer to title
- Published
- comments
QPR goalkeeper Seny Dieng was unable to keep Xavi Quintilla's shot out and stop Norwich taking a first-half lead
Defensive duo Xavi Quintilla and Max Aarons both netted to nudge already-promoted Norwich City closer to the Championship title with victory at QPR.
Quintilla, on loan from Villarreal, put the Canaries ahead when his effort was fumbled over the line by Seny Dieng.
Norwich keeper Tim Krul then kept out Lyndon Dykes' penalty before Aarons made it 2-0 with a thumping volley.
Dykes then pulled one back for Rangers, but Emi Buendia tapped home a late third to seal the visitors' win.
The result means Norwich need just two points from their two remaining games to confirm the Championship crown.
The Canaries' attacking threat was in evidence from the kick-off, with the influential Buendia pouncing on a Jordy de Wijs back-header and lobbing Dieng, only for the ball to sail just wide.
Kieran Dowell also tested Dieng twice, but the goalkeeper was found wanting in the 32nd minute as Buendia set up Quintilla, whose 25-yard drive squirmed through his gloves and bobbled over the line for his first Norwich goal.
QPR threatened an immediate equaliser when Ilias Chair played Dykes through, but Krul blocked the shot to preserve the visitors' lead.
The Dutch keeper produced another crucial stop with his legs 10 minutes after the restart, denying Dykes from the spot after Grant Hanley had felled Chris Willock.
Aarons quickly doubled his side's advantage, meeting Kenny McLean's far-post cross with a volley that whistled beyond Dieng.
However, Rangers substitutes Albert Adomah and Charlie Austin combined for Dykes to halve the deficit from close range - and Austin then spurned a chance to equalise, nodding Adomah's pinpoint cross wide.
Buendia wrapped up the points eight minutes from time, with McLean again providing the assist for the midfielder to steer home his 14th goal of the campaign.
Norwich shown 'too much respect' - reaction
QPR manager Mark Warburton told BBC Radio London:
"I think we showed far too much respect to a good team in the first half.
"We were one down to a soft goal but, in truth, they dominated in our box and deserved that 1-0 lead.
"We've got to manage the game better."
Norwich City manager Daniel Farke told BBC Radio Norfolk:
"When you have two losses in a row, you always lose a little bit of a momentum and a little bit of confidence.
"We had a really difficult away game against a side who have a fantastic record over the last 20 games.
"To win 3-1 is pretty good, we had many chances, we scored fantastic goals. I'm a happy man tonight."