Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 Queens Park Rangers: Anthony Musaba’s late winner gives Owls victory
Anthony Musaba’s goal in the 94th minute earned Sheffield Wednesday a thrilling victory over QPR, who were also struggling.
When defender Bambo Diaby deflected Ilias Chair’s shot past his own custodian in the 37th minute, the Owls took the lead.
Early in the second half, Will Vaulks of Sheffield Wednesday had a goal straight from a corner disallowed for a foul on custodian Asmir Begovic.
However, with four minutes left, they tied the score when Bailey Cadamarteri’s shot from Djeidi Gassama went far past Begovic, and Musaba then scored the game-winning goal in stoppage time.
Both teams are still in the relegation zone, but Wednesday’s third victory in their last four games reduced the difference to four points.
Danny Rohl’s club has now won three of their last five home league games thanks to the late turnaround.
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Championship table
Musaba had an early shot blocked before QPR striker Sinclair Armstrong forced Cameron Dawson into save at the other end.
After fifteen minutes, Callum Paterson headed a free kick from Barry Bannan over the bar, but the visitors took the lead eight minutes before halftime.
As he stooped to make a last-ditch block, Diaby’s head diverted a shot from Chair, who had been looking lively on the left wing the whole half.
Three minutes into the second half, the Owls thought they had equalised when Vaulks’ corner went straight into the goal, but the referee disallowed it for a foul on Begovic. Despite this, the team was unable to muster a shot on goal at the half.
Owls defender Bambo Diaby deflected his shot into the net, and Ilias Chair celebrates as QPR takes the lead.
With Vaulks missing a shot by a small margin and Bannan’s shot saved, Wednesday was gaining momentum as the hour drew near.
Cadamarteri scored his third goal of the season with four minutes left, giving his team a first-time finish and putting him in a tie for the season’s leading scorer.
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 staff put in a lot of work, so they earned this moment. I think back on our fights, victories, and sprints since the international break. I am really proud of my team, and even though it doesn’t always look good, we have to do it in our circumstances.
“We always have the support of our fans. I give this club my all, and the support is fantastic. Between our young and seasoned players, we have a wonderful balance.
We must not give up. We’ve won three out of four, which is huge, and I believe we might be in the top six in the form table.”
QPR boss Marti Cifuentes:
“The last 10 minutes of the game we were not good enough.
“I believed 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.
However, we ought to have had better control over that circumstance and a better grasp of the game as it evolved.
“Then, when it was 1-1, we had a chance, but if you miss your chances, you give the opposition hope…
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