Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 Queens Park Rangers: Anthony Musaba's late winner gives Owls victory

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Anthony MusabaImage source, Getty Images
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Anthony Musaba's late winner completed a fine comaback win for Sheffield Wednesday

Anthony Musaba's 94th-minute goal gave Sheffield Wednesday a dramatic late win over fellow strugglers QPR.

The Owls went behind in the 37th minute when defender Bambo Diaby diverted Ilias Chair's shot past his own goalkeeper.

Sheffield Wednesday's Will Vaulks saw a goal directly from a corner ruled out for a foul on keeper Asmir Begovic early in the second half.

But they equalised with four minutes remaining when Bailey Cadamarteri finished well past Begovic from Djeidi Gassama's ball, before Musaba grabbed the stoppage-time winner.

Wednesday's third win in their past four games closed the gap to their opponents to four points, with both remaining in the relegation zone.

The late turnaround meant Danny Rohl's team have now won three of their past five home league games and brought an end to QPR's four-game unbeaten run.

Musaba had an early shot blocked before QPR striker Sinclair Armstrong forced Cameron Dawson into save at the other end.

Callum Paterson sent a header from Barry Bannan's free-kick over the bar after 15 minutes, before the visitors took the lead eight minutes before the break.

Chair, who had been looking lively on the left flank all half, fired a shot which was deflected past Dawson by the head of Diaby as he dived to make a last-ditch block.

The Owls failed to register a shot on target at the halfway stage but thought they had equalised three minutes into the second when Vaulks' corner went directly into the goal, but the referee ruled it out for a foul on Begovic.

Image source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Ilias Chair celebrates QPR taking the lead thanks to his shot which was diverted into the net by Owls defender Bambo Diaby

Wednesday were building up a head of steam as the game approached the hour, with Vaulks shooting narrowly wide and Bannan having a shot saved.

The pressure told with four minutes remaining as Cadamarteri scored his third goal of the season - making him his side's joint-top scorer this season - with a first-time finish.

But they were not content to settle for a draw and when a header came back off the post from Bannan's cross, Musaba was on hand to power home the loose ball to give the Owls an important win against the team directly above them in the table.

Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl told BBC Radio Sheffield:

"It was a difficult game. There were not many opportunities in the box and then they scored with the first shot on goal.

"It was hard for my team but I said at half-time to believe and we can do it. If you look at how we win games and how much energy we bring from the bench it is fantastic.

"It is also a key point for us that we have character as a team to stay in the game and keep fighting.

"My team deserved this moment, they invested so much. When I look back since the international break how we fight, how we win the games and sprint. Sometimes it does not always look nice but we have to do it in our situation and I am very proud of my team.

"Our fans are always behind us. I do everything I can to help this club and the support is great. We have a good balance between our experienced players and young players.

"We have to keep going. We have three wins in four, it's massive, and I think in the form table maybe we are top six."

QPR boss Marti Cifuentes:

"The last 10 minutes of the game we were not good enough.

"I thought we were well in control for much of the game but we knew Sheffield have improved a lot and play with an aggressive pressing style and the last few minutes they played more direct.

"But we should have controlled that situation better and had a better grab on the game as it developed.

"We then had a chance when it was 1-1, but if you do not take your opportunities you give the other team hope."

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