Queens Park Rangers 1-2 Swansea City: Alan Sheehan’s side claim fifth straight win

Swansea City continued their superb late-season form as they held on at Queens Park Rangers to secure a fifth successive Championship victory.

Swansea took control before half-time as QPR defender Morgan Fox turned Josh Tymon’s cross into his own net.

The Welsh side deservedly doubled their advantage early in the second period when Harry Darling swept in from close range, with Rangers finally coming into the contest when Karamoko Dembele drilled in off the post with almost his first touch after coming off the bench.

But Swansea protected their lead with relative comfort from that point on to ensure this was another positive day for caretaker boss Alan Sheehan.

The Irishman, who is charge until the summer as things stand, further strengthened his case to be named head coach on a permanent basis having overseen what is now Swansea’s longest winning league run since 2007.

The Swans have taken 23 points in 11 matches since Luke Williams departed in February.

Sheehan’s side stay 11th in the table, six points short of the play-off spots, with Rangers seven points worse off in 15th having seen their five-game unbeaten run come to an end.

Not so long ago, both these clubs were glancing nervously towards the relegation places having struggled for consistency throughout much of the season.

But recent successes meant there was no need for tension in either camp – which may have gone some way to explaining the lack of early intensity.

It was Swansea who found some fluency, and they were rewarded when left-back Tymon ran from his own half and delivered the sort of inviting cross which has become something of a trademark.

With Liam Cullen lurking, Fox – a late addition to the home starting line-up because Jonathan Varane suffered a muscle injury in the warm-up – poked out a leg to clear and only succeeded in diverting the ball inside the far post.

Swansea grew in confidence, with Cullen seeing a shot deflect wide, while Rangers ended the first period without mustering an effort on goal.

The pattern continued after the break, with Swansea – by now the much sharper side – doubling their advantage after a free-kick was half-cleared.

Goncalo Franco and Eom Ji-Sung both had parts to play before Cullen’s attempt to finish sent the ball squirming across the face of goal.

Swansea players were queuing up to convert, with Darling appearing to beat Josh Key to the loose ball – just – as he drilled over the line.