QPR boosts EPL survival bid with Sunderland win

Goals from Loic Remy, Andros Townsend and Jermaine Jenas ensured QPR won back-to-back games for the first time this season.

QPR is level on points with Reading, which lost 2-1 at Aston Villa, but remained last because of fewer goals scored.

Harry Redknapp's QPR is just a point behind Wigan and four adrift of next weekend's opponent, Villa.

"That was the best I have seen us play," Redknapp told the BBC. "We need to have a run of results like that."

The afternoon got off badly for QPR when Steven Fletcher put Sunderland ahead after 20 minutes.

Adam Johnson met a cross from Stephane Sessegnon at the back post, and then sent in a fierce cross-shot, which Fletcher turned home with ease from close range.

But QPR leveled on the half-hour with a long-range strike from Townsend fortuitously deflecting off John O'Shea and falling kindly for Remy to slot home.

The match seemed to be heading for a draw as both sides struggled in the second half, only for a moment of magic from Townsend to swing the game in QPR's favor.

Sunderland cleared Jose Bosingwa's cross out of the box, but Townsend controlled the ball on his chest before firing home a superb half volley from 25 yards in the 70th.

Nerves were eased inside Loftus Road when Jenas produced an equally exquisite volley in the 90th to ensure QPR took all three, much-needed points.