Burrell goal helps QPR win at 10-man Swansea

Forward Rumarn Burrell's goal was his third since joining QPR in the summer

Queens Park Rangers' impressive away form continued as Rumarn Burrell's goal secured victory over 10-man Swansea City.

Burrell volleyed home from close range to give Rangers an early lead and there was another heavy blow for Swansea when Malick Yalcouye was sent off for violent conduct 11 minutes before half-time.

Alan Sheehan's team kept plugging away in search of an equaliser, but lacked attacking inspiration even before Yalcouye's early exit and did not force goalkeeper Paul Nardi into action until Zan Viptonik's header was pawed away in stoppage time.

Rangers held on to make it 10 points from four away league games since they were hammered at Coventry City in August, with Julien Stephan's side up to eighth in the Championship and only outside the play-off places on goal difference.

But this was a dispiriting night for Swansea, who slip to 16th having won only once in seven league games.

QPR might have taken the lead earlier than they did, with Nicolas Madsen's drive beaten away by Lawrence Vigouroux after Swansea failed to clear.

But the visitors took advantage of more lacklustre defending a couple of minutes later as Burrell steered in his second goal in as many games from Isaac Hayden's cross.

Yalcouye's dismissal came after he went tumbling in the penalty area and was confronted by Steve Cook, prompting the two players to square up.

The Swansea player then appeared to lean his head into Cook's and, after the veteran centre-back went to ground, on-loan Brighton teenager Yalcouye was shown the red card.

Rangers should have really extended their lead, with fit-again Ilias Chair denied by Vigouroux's fine save before Richard Dunne hit the post and Jonathan Varane fired wide on the rebound.

That gave Swansea hope of a late leveller, but the Hoops held on despite a late home rally.

Malick Yalcouye is on a season-long loan at Swansea from Premier League Brighton

Analysis: Rangers impress as Swansea struggle at home

Swansea are now without a win in five home league matches, their longest sequence since a six-game run in 2023.

Rangers, meanwhile, have been a formidable force on their travels since that 7-1 mauling at Coventry, while they finished last season with three successive away victories.

It is now 19 points from the past nine away games for the London club, who have also been in decent form on their own patch - Saturday's defeat to Millwall aside - and are looking a side capable of mounting a top-six bid this season having lost just once in eight second-tier fixtures.

A play-off push is also the target for Swansea this season, but they are in need of a significant upturn having won only one league game since August.

Sheehan was booked for complaining about refereeing decisions on a night of frustration for the Irishman, who will be desperate for a result when struggling Norwich City come to Swansea this weekend.

What they said

Swansea have not won a home league game since the opening week of the season

Swansea head coach Alan Sheehan:

"We didn't start the game well. You don't get time to wake up in the Championship.

"They scored with one of their first opportunities, then I think we reacted, woke up a bit and then obviously the sending off happens and it's an uphill battle.

"But we regrouped at half-time and made a few changes and I think there's a lot of positives to take out of that second half in terms of playing for 60 minutes with 10 men and having opportunities near the end to salvage something.

"That was the game-plan because if you concede the second and third early in the second half, it can be quite difficult.

"I think that effort and honesty from the players out there - I think I think they're the positives to take them tonight."

Queens Park Rangers head coach Julien Stephan:

"I am happy with the win, especially how we managed and controlled the second half with the ball.

"It was not perfect - it could be perfect if we scored the second or third goal. But we scored the first one at 11 against 11, then the red card probably changed the plan of Swansea. It was more difficult for them to press us.

"We needed to have control of the ball. During half-time I told the players to continue to push, to stay in the opponents' half.

"We had enough opportunities to score the second or the third. When you stay 1-0, you know what can happen at the end. They had a good header form Vipotnik and Paul made a very good save."