Sunderland climbed into the play-off places as they swept struggling Queens Park Rangers aside at Loftus Road. Luke O'Nien's goal ten minutes before half-time set them on their way, but they had goalkeeper Anthony Patterson to thank for preserving their lead when he saved an Ilias Chair penalty just after the hour when Aji Alese was penalised for a handball.
Joe Gelhardt was denied a first goal in red and white when he hit the crossbar in the final 15 minutes, but Jack Clarke scored soon afterwards and then added his second - and Sunderland's third - in injury-time. The win, combined with Millwall's defeat at Coventry City and Watford's draw against Burnley, saw Sunderland go fifth in the table.
Tony Mowbray's Sunderland have now lost just one of their last nine league games, while the pressure continues to mount on QPR boss Neil Critchley with his side's winless run extending to ten games in all competitions. Mowbray promised to freshen up his side following the weekend win against Reading, and he made three changes at Loftus Road.
