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QPR 2-3 Sunderland: Bendtner, Sessegnon and Brown goals seal thrilling victory for Martin O'Neill's side
Black Cats claim three points at Loftus Road after last minute winner while Neil Warnock's side's poor home form continues.
Dec 21, 2011 6:17:00 PM
By Alex Meyers
Wes Brown’s winner in the last minute gave Sunderland its second away win of the season over QPR at Loftus Road.
The Black Cats took the lead in the first half through Nicklas Bendtner and Stephane Sessegnon doubled the lead following a mistake by Danny Gabbidon.
Heidar Helguson pulled one back for the home side just past the hour mark and it equalized through Jamie Mackie just minutes later.
With the game looking likely to end in a draw, Wes Brown headed home from a Kieran Richardson corner to give Martin O’Neill’s side victory in his third game in charge.
The game started at a fast pace and Armand Traore came close when he fired a shot wide of Keiren Westwood’s goal in the first minute
QPR was looking dangerous and came close again when Shaun Derry headed a Joey Barton free kick wide.
Despite the home side’s bright start, Sunderland came agonizingly close to taking the lead on the quarter-hour mark. Sebastian Larsson whipped in a free kick from the left and when John O’Shea flicked the ball on, Nicklas Bendtner headed the ball off the post.
In the 18th minute Sunderland did make the breakthrough when Bendtner headed in Kieran Richardson's corner.
The Danish international, on his return from injury, found himself unmarked to score his third goal of the season since joining on loan from Arsenal.
Sunderland was looking comfortable and despite dealing with a number of Joey Barton free kicks, the club still looked like the greater threat on the break.
Neil Warnock made a change at halftime by introducing Adel Taarabt to the action but it was Sunderland which started the half stronger and the club doubled its lead through Sessegnon in the 52nd minute.
Danny Gabbidon misjudged a header back to his keeper, allowing Sessegnon to race on to the loose ball before rounding Paddy Kenny and slotting home.
QPR desperately needed something to get back into the game and 10 minutes later Helguson got on the end Alejandro Faurlin's cross to spark them back into life.
Things got even better for the home side just four minutes later when Mackie headed home the equalizer. Traore put over a cross from the left and when Helguson knocked the ball back across goal, Mackie was on hand to score his first goal since his return from a broken leg.
Despite losing a two goal lead, Sunderland still looked more likely to win and Bendtner should have scored his second goal of the game in the 82nd minute when he put a free header over the bar after finding himself unmarked at a corner.
Phillip Bardsley’s fine run and shot forced Kenny into a flying save but as the game looked like ending in a draw, the away side grabbed the winner.
Kieran Richardson whipped in another dangerous corner and Brown powered home a header that Alejandro Faurlin was powerless to prevent on the line.
The referee signaled for an additional six minutes of injury time but Sunderland could have added to its three goals as Sessegnon tested Kenny.
Barton fired a deflected shot wide in injury time but it was too late for QPR as Sunderland held on this time to record a much needed victory and move above its host in the table.
The Black Cats took the lead in the first half through Nicklas Bendtner and Stephane Sessegnon doubled the lead following a mistake by Danny Gabbidon.
Heidar Helguson pulled one back for the home side just past the hour mark and it equalized through Jamie Mackie just minutes later.
With the game looking likely to end in a draw, Wes Brown headed home from a Kieran Richardson corner to give Martin O’Neill’s side victory in his third game in charge.
The game started at a fast pace and Armand Traore came close when he fired a shot wide of Keiren Westwood’s goal in the first minute
QPR was looking dangerous and came close again when Shaun Derry headed a Joey Barton free kick wide.
Despite the home side’s bright start, Sunderland came agonizingly close to taking the lead on the quarter-hour mark. Sebastian Larsson whipped in a free kick from the left and when John O’Shea flicked the ball on, Nicklas Bendtner headed the ball off the post.
In the 18th minute Sunderland did make the breakthrough when Bendtner headed in Kieran Richardson's corner.
The Danish international, on his return from injury, found himself unmarked to score his third goal of the season since joining on loan from Arsenal.
Sunderland was looking comfortable and despite dealing with a number of Joey Barton free kicks, the club still looked like the greater threat on the break.
Neil Warnock made a change at halftime by introducing Adel Taarabt to the action but it was Sunderland which started the half stronger and the club doubled its lead through Sessegnon in the 52nd minute.
Danny Gabbidon misjudged a header back to his keeper, allowing Sessegnon to race on to the loose ball before rounding Paddy Kenny and slotting home.
QPR desperately needed something to get back into the game and 10 minutes later Helguson got on the end Alejandro Faurlin's cross to spark them back into life.
Things got even better for the home side just four minutes later when Mackie headed home the equalizer. Traore put over a cross from the left and when Helguson knocked the ball back across goal, Mackie was on hand to score his first goal since his return from a broken leg.
Despite losing a two goal lead, Sunderland still looked more likely to win and Bendtner should have scored his second goal of the game in the 82nd minute when he put a free header over the bar after finding himself unmarked at a corner.
Phillip Bardsley’s fine run and shot forced Kenny into a flying save but as the game looked like ending in a draw, the away side grabbed the winner.
Kieran Richardson whipped in another dangerous corner and Brown powered home a header that Alejandro Faurlin was powerless to prevent on the line.
The referee signaled for an additional six minutes of injury time but Sunderland could have added to its three goals as Sessegnon tested Kenny.
Barton fired a deflected shot wide in injury time but it was too late for QPR as Sunderland held on this time to record a much needed victory and move above its host in the table.
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