Norwich Secures Vital Away Win Against QPR
Josh Sargent and Jovon Makama scored as Norwich City enhanced their hopes of survival with a crucial away victory under manager Philippe Clement.
Sargent opened the scoring just after halftime, converting a cross from Matej Jurasek, which set the Canaries on the path to a win that brings them within a point of safety in the league standings.
The visitors dominated the second half against a fatigued Queens Park Rangers side, and they nearly extended their lead when substitute Makama was denied by goalkeeper Paul Nardi.
However, Makama did find the net in stoppage time, making it 2-0. Although QPR's Amadou Mbengue scored a late consolation goal, it was not enough to change the outcome of the match.
Both teams made adjustments following their respective defeats three days prior, with QPR manager Julien Stephan making eight changes to his starting lineup, while Clement opted for three alterations.
This reshuffling contributed to a disjointed first half, where the game was played at a brisk pace but neither side managed to gain significant control.
Rangers came close to scoring through Steve Cook, whose glancing header from a corner went across the goal, and Rumarn Burrell, who was thwarted by Norwich goalkeeper Vladan Kovacevic after connecting with a knockdown from Richard Kone.
Norwich's best chance in the first half came just before the break when Jacob Wright and Sargent combined to set up Jurasek, but Nardi made a fine save to deny him.
Just seconds after the restart, however, Nardi was beaten as Kenny McLean released Jurasek on the right flank. Jurasek sped past Rhys Norrington-Davies and delivered an accurate cross to the far post, where Sargent headed in to score.
Norwich could have added to their tally as Pelle Mattsson's volley flew just over the crossbar, and Makama, shortly after coming on, had a shot that Nardi parried, with Sargent unable to convert the rebound.
As the match neared its conclusion, Rangers pressed forward but failed to pose a real threat to Kovacevic. In a counterattack, Mathias Kvistgaarden assisted Makama, whose shot deflected off Kieran Morgan for his fifth goal in as many games.
Kovacevic was finally beaten in the ninth minute of injury time when Mbengue struck from the edge of the box, but it was too late for QPR, as Norwich secured a league double over their opponents.