Queens Park Rangers 1-2 Sheffield United: Campbell’s Excellent Strike Makes the Difference at Loftus Road | OneFootball

Sheffield United showed their clinical edge in attack and then relied on their resolute defence to beat Queens Park Rangers 2-1 at Loftus Road.

The Blades struck early with a header from Ben Brereton Diaz in the tenth minute. And then they got their second thanks to an outstanding solo goal from Tyrese Campbell nine minutes into the second half. QPR didn’t quit on themselves, and they found a lifeline through a Michael Frey penalty, but the home team were unable to draw level.

Chris Wilder made a couple of changes to the starting eleven, one of them was enforced. Gustavo Hamer came back into the side with Jesurun Rak-Sakyi dropping to the bench, as did Hamza Choudhury with Harry Clarke missing out completely with a foot injury. United were without Tom Davies after suffering a minor calf strain in training.

Lineups

QPR: Nardi, Dunne, Colback (Dembele 81), Cook (Fox 81), Chair, Frey, Edwards, Morgan (Saito 57), Paal (Smyth 66), Varane, Yang Min-Hyeok (Lloyd 66).

Unused: Walsh, Morrison, Ashby, Andersen.

Blades: Cooper, Hamer (Brewster 63), O’Hare (McCallum 73), Burrows, Ahmedhodzic, Robinson, Brereton Diaz (Holding 85), Souza, Campbell (Cannon 73), Choudhury (Seriki 63), Peck.

Unused: A. Davies, Moore, Rak-Sakyi, Brooks.

First Half

The game started off at a great tempo with Queens Park Rangers having the early sighters with Dunne, who possibly should’ve done better with his headed chance from a corner, and an accurate long-range strike from Varane which Cooper dealt with comfortably.

It didn’t take long for Sheffield United to have their first shot on goal either. Picking the ball up on the left flank, Vinicius Souza arched a wonderful right-footed cross into the heart of the box where Ben Brereton Diaz timed his run and headed in his third Blades goal in eight games.

QPR responded with a series of half-chances. Michael Cooper punched a free-kick clear, and Jonathan Varane fired wide from the edge of the box. Yang Min-Hyeok then had a low-driven effort saved, with Cooper reacting late to keep the lead intact. Frey also went close, but his shot from a tight angle sailed over the bar.

Yang nearly equalised after a poor headed clearance from Choudhury, but his shot drifted wide. Cooper was again tested, this time pushing away a strong effort from IChair.

The home side thought they had leveled six minutes before halftime when Frey turned in Seito’s headed pass from close range, but the offside flag cut the celebrations short.

Second Half

LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 01: Ben Brereton Diaz of Sheffield United celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Queens Park Rangers FC and Sheffield United FC at Loftus Road on March 01, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Sheffield United doubled their advantage early in the second half, thanks to a moment of brilliance from Tyrese Campbell. Nine minutes after the restart, Brereton Diaz turned provider, setting up Campbell, who executed a beautiful spin, creating a couple of yards space between him and the closest defencer, before unleashing a stunning left-footed strike into the top-right corner from the edge of the box.

Anel Ahmedhodzic was booked for delaying a restart, which now means the Bosnian is just one more yellow card away from receiving a two-match ban.

With the home side dominating, Chris Wilder made a double substitution to try and reinvigorate the Blades, Femi Seriki and Rhian Brewster replaced Hamza Choudhury and Gustavo Hamer, who were both on yellow cards.

The match took another turn on 70 minutes when QPR substitute Paul Smyth delivered a cross from the right, striking Burrows’ arm inside the box. The referee pointed to the spot, and Michael Frey confidently converted the penalty in the 72nd minute, notching his seventh league goal of the season.

Unite then broke quickly with substitute Cannon sprinting down the left channel to retrieve the ball, and the forward then cut the ball back for the onrushing Brereton Diaz who blazed over the bar from around 10 yards out.

Brewster also had an opportunity to kill the game off as he drove inside the QPR penalty area only to be on the receiving end of an excellent well-timed challenge from Morgan Fox.

With the score at 2-1, the final quarter of the match saw QPR pushing for an equaliser, but United’s defence held firm under pressure. Cooper remained composed in goal, claiming every cross and loose ball, and the visitors ultimately saw out the win to claim a vital three points.

After a bitterly disappointing result against Leeds, Sheffield United have put out a statement of intent to Leeds United; the Blades are now just three points behind the league leaders with 11 to play. The win also means they have a five-point cushion over Burnley, who were involved in FA Cup action on Saturday midday, so the third-place team do have a game in hand.