Jack Clarke scored twice as Sunderland beat QPR at Loftus Road to move into the play-off spots. Luke O'Nien's first-half goal set the Black Cats on their way to victory.
And Anthony Patterson saved Ilias Chair's penalty just after the hour to preserve Sunderland's lead. On-loan Leeds United man Joe Gelhardt hit the crossbar, but Clarke killed the game off in the final ten minutes when he doubled Sunderland's lead, and then he added his second - and his team's third - in injury time.
With Millwall losing at Coventry City, and Burnley scoring a 95th minute equaliser against Watford, Sunderland's win was enough to lift Tony Mowbray's men to fifth place in the Championship table. For QPR, the pressure continues to grow on boss Neil Critchley as his side's winless streak extended to ten games in all competitions.
READ MORE: Sunderland climb into play-off spots as Jack Clarke scores twice in comprehensive win at QPR
Here's how our Sunderland AFC writer James Hunter rated the players.
Anthony Patterson 8
Made a brilliant penalty save when it was still 1-0, and kept a second successive clean sheet
Trai Hume 7
Has been so consistent since taking over at right-back
Dan Ballard 7
Excellent in defence, and his header forced a scruffy save from Dieng which led to O'Nien's opener
Danny Batth 8
Outstanding in central defence alongside Ballard, he won pretty much every header
Aji Alese 6
A decent performance at left-back, but he did give away the penalty for a handball
Luke O'Nien 7
A solid game in central midfield and scored the goal which set Sunderland on their way
Alex Pritchard 7
His first start since the turn of the year and he impressed before tiring in the second half
Abdoullah Ba 7
Caused QPR problems whenever he advanced down the left
Patrick Roberts 7
Always a threat whenever he picks up the ball in and around the opposition penalty area
Joe Gelhardt 7
Worked hard up front and only the crossbar denied him his first goal in red and white
Jack Clarke 9
Tore QPR to shreds at times, and fully deserved his two goals
Subs
Amad 7
For Ba 63mins. Had a chance to score late on, but Dieng saved in a one-on-one situation
Dan Neil 7
For Pritchard 69mins. Provided the assist for Clarke's second goal
Pierre Ekwah N/A
For Gelhardt 81mins.
Dennis Cirkin N/A
For Alese 81mins.
Not used: Bass, Bennette, Lihadji
READ NEXT:
- Anthony Patterson 'richly deserves' an England call-up - if it comes - says Tony Mowbray
- Sunderland will give promotion their best shot if the chance arrives - but it's a big 'if'
- Tony Mowbray gives positive update on Elliot Embleton, and explains the decision he must make
- Tony Mowbray expects Sunderland to speed up contract talks with injury victim Ross Stewart
- Dennis Cirkin returns to the Sunderland squad as Tony Mowbray considers making changes at QPR
