Swansea forward Andre Ayew celebrates his eighth goal of the season
Swansea City climbed into the Championship's automatic promotion places, as goals from Andre Ayew and Jamal Lowe gave them a 2-0 victory at struggling Queens Park Rangers.
Leading scorer Ayew headed into an empty net to put Steve Cooper's team ahead at the end of a first half in which Rangers had been the better side.
Lowe then raced clear early in the second period to score for the fourth time in as many games and put the visitors firmly in control.
Swansea's third win in four matches means they leapfrog Bournemouth and move into second in the table, four points behind leaders Norwich City.
Rangers, by contrast, are hovering above the relegation places after a worrying eight-game winless sequence.
Swansea did threaten first, as Lowe combined smartly with Yan Dhanda before scuffing a shot too close to goalkeeper Seny Dieng.
Dhanda then forced a decent save from Dieng, yet Rangers dictated for long spells with Swansea lacking their usual composure in possession.
There were numerous dangerous deliveries into the Swans' box and it was Macauley Bonne who came closest to taking advantage as his firm header was expertly saved by Swansea keeper Freddie Woodman.
Dominic Ball then saw a 20-yard drive deflect wide of the target before he sent a far-post header harmlessly over the top.
QPR were asking questions of Steve Cooper's vaunted rearguard, but the opening goal came at the other end when Rangers old boy Jake Bidwell rose highest to meet a cross from fellow wing-back Connor Roberts.
Bidwell's goalbound effort was diverted onto the post by the stretching Yoann Barbet, with Ayew left with the simple task of heading into the empty net.
Swansea gave themselves breathing space early in the second half thanks to a lethal counter-attack.
QPR forward Macauley Bonne tangles with Swansea's Ryan Bennett
Matt Grimes claimed a notable assist, with his perfect pass allowing Lowe to sprint through a gap in the Hoops' defence before coolly rolling a low shot past the helpless Dieng.
Lowe, brimming with confidence thanks to his scoring streak, then flashed another effort narrowly wide of the target as the Rangers rearguard wobbled once more.
Warburton made a string of substitutions to try to inspire a comeback, but Swansea - the team with the best defensive record in the EFL - held on for victory with relative comfort.
Swansea head coach Steve Cooper:
"We are really pleased with the win. I thought it was a tight game, truth be told, in the first half. We were really happy to come in with the lead.
"Second half was about managing the game, not just in terms of not conceding but I thought we could manage our moments to attack and it came off.
"It was a great ball by Grimesy [Matt Grimes] and a brilliant goal by Jamal.
"I thought it was a really good performance again and we were good for the win. We were very professional with how we went about it and the boys deserve a lot of credit."
- Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text
Line-upsQPR
- 13Dieng4Dickie20Cameron6Barbet2KaneSubstituted forAdomahat 77'minutes22CarrollSubstituted forWillockat 77'minutes12BallBooked at 79mins25HämäläinenSubstituted forOsayi-Samuelat 66'minutes9Dykes10Chair7BonneSubstituted forKelmanat 66'minutes
Substitutes
- 11Osayi-Samuel19Thomas21Willock23Masterson26Bettache29Kelman32Kelly37Adomah41Duke-McKenna
Swansea
- 1Woodman44Cabango2Bennett5Guehi23Roberts6Fulton8Grimes24Bidwell21DhandaBooked at 34minsSubstituted forSmithat 65'minutes10A Ayew9Lowe
Substitutes
- 3Manning7Smith13Benda14Gyökeres15Routledge22Latibeaudiere31Cooper41Garrick45Palmer
Referee:Steve MartinMatch StatsHome TeamQPRAway TeamSwanseaPossessionHome66%Away34%ShotsHome12Away6Shots on TargetHome1Away4CornersHome7Away3FoulsHome16Away12Live TextPost update
Match ends, Queens Park Rangers 0, Swansea City 2.
90'+4'Full Time
Second Half ends, Queens Park Rangers 0, Swansea City 2.
90'+2'Post update
Robert Dickie (Queens Park Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+2'Post update
Foul by Jamal Lowe (Swansea City).
90'+2'Post update
Attempt missed. Chris Willock (Queens Park Rangers) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Bright Samuel with a cross.
90'Post update
Foul by Bright Samuel (Queens Park Rangers).
90'Post update
Jay Fulton (Swansea City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
87'Post update
Chris Willock (Queens Park Rangers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
87'Post update
Foul by Matt Grimes (Swansea City).
85'Post update
Offside, Swansea City. Connor Roberts tries a through ball, but André Ayew is caught offside.
85'Post update
Corner, Swansea City. Conceded by Robert Dickie.
83'Post update
Corner, Swansea City. Conceded by Robert Dickie.
82'Post update
Attempt missed. Yoann Barbet (Queens Park Rangers) left footed shot from the left side of the box is too high. Assisted by Ilias Chair with a cross following a corner.
82'Post update
Corner, Queens Park Rangers. Conceded by Jake Bidwell.
82'Post update
Attempt blocked. Chris Willock (Queens Park Rangers) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Albert Adomah.
80'Post update
Attempt missed. Ben Cabango (Swansea City) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Connor Roberts with a cross following a set piece situation.
79'Booking
Dominic Ball (Queens Park Rangers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
79'Post update
Foul by Dominic Ball (Queens Park Rangers).
79'Post update
Jay Fulton (Swansea City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
77'Substitution
Substitution, Queens Park Rangers. Chris Willock replaces Tom Carroll.
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Source: bbc.com