Tyler Roberts scored a brace to help QPR produce one of the close football scores of the weekend in the Championship. Reading led 2-0 at halftime thanks to two goals from home-based midfielder Jeff Hendrick, who is on loan from Newcastle. The first goal was scored from 30 yards out, while the second came close to the goal line. However, QPR significantly improved after the break, with Tyler Roberts cutting the deficit in half in the 66th minute and then scoring the equalizer with 10 seconds left. Rangers had lost 2-1 to League One Fleetwood Town last Saturday in the FA Cup third round, and they had only won one of their previous ten games in the second division. Reading had four victories in seven games in all competitions as they were three points from the playoffs.
Rangers did have a chance with a right-side free kick, but center-back Jimmy Dunne nodded Kenneth Paal’s well-placed kick far wide. Hendrick gave Reading the lead in the 28th minute as they promptly reacted. Hendrick scored from 30 yards out by drilling a low effort beyond Seny Dieng after Shane Long’s attempted cross was deflected into his path. Lyndon Dykes’ slightly missed touch from an Ilias Chair pullback from the byline gave Rangers the opportunity to tie the score. But three minutes before halftime, Reading widened their lead.
Dieng made a spectacular stop on Andy Yiadom’s effort, but the ball looped into the air, and Hendrick, who spent last season on loan at Rangers, was able to tap the ball home from close range. QPR started the second half aggressively as Reading sat deep to ostensibly maintain their advantage. However, after exerting significant pressure and an impressive effort from substitute Jamal Lowe, Rangers eventually found their radar after an hour. After wriggling into the penalty box, Roberts made a cunning spin and beat Lumley with a well-placed low cross-shot. Toward the end, QPR kept up their momentum, and Dykes forced a superb save from Lumley. And they received just compensation as Chair’s cross wreaked havoc in the home area and Roberts pounced following a frantic scramble.
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