Football May 01, 2026

Queens Park Rangers 1-2 Swansea City: Zan Vipotnik scores again in Swans win

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Queens Park Rangers 1-2 Swansea City: Zan Vipotnik scores again in Swans win

Steve Cook ruined his own QPR leaving party by gifting Swansea an early goal in their 2-1 win at Loftus Road.

The 35-year-old defender was making his 100th and final appearance for Rangers after the club announced on Monday he is leaving when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Cook, who played 180 times in the Premier League for Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest before joining Rangers in 2023, was named captain for the night and given a rousing reception by the home fans.

However, less than two minutes had elapsed when Melker Widell lifted a hopeful ball towards the edge of the Rangers box.

Cook slid in to try to clear the danger, but succeeded only in tripping team-mate Rhys Norrington-Davies while the ball ran through to Ronald.

The Brazilian winger could hardly believe his luck as he tucked his finish beyond home keeper Joe Walsh for his first goal since September.

It was a nightmare start for Rangers and Cook, who will not feature in the final two fixtures of the season and has yet to confirm whether he will continue his playing career elsewhere or potentially take a coaching role with the Hoops.

Swansea, who like Rangers have little to play for with both sides stuck firmly in mid-table, doubled their lead with a controversial late penalty tucked in by top scorer Zan Vipotnik before Norrington-Davies scored a stoppage-time consolation.

Rangers, stung by falling behind so early, tried to hit back with Rumarn Burrell teeing up Rayan Koli, whose shot flew across goal and wide.

Isaac Hayden's drive from 20 yards out then forced a fine save from Swans keeper Lawrence Vigouroux, before Kieran Morgan blazed over the crossbar.

Swansea were denied a second before half-time by a smart double save from Walsh, who beat out Sam Parker's shot and blocked the rebound from Adam Idah.

After the break Walsh palmed away Goncalo Franco's long-range effort and held Idah's drive, before at the other end Harvey Vale floated a free-kick just over Vigouroux's crossbar.

Despite his mistake, Cook was given a standing ovation when he was replaced on the hour mark.

But Swansea went two up after Tylon Smith fouled Eom Ji-Sung 10 minutes from the end.

The contact was clearly outside the area but referee John Busby pointed to the spot and Vipotnik tucked in his 24th goal of the season.

Norrington-Davies headed in the rebound after Paul Smyth hit the crossbar but it was too late for Rangers to find an equaliser.

QPR's Julien Stephan:

"I think to concede a goal like this very early in the game had a strong impact on how we played the first half.

"But I don't want to think about that with Steve Cook. I want to think about the relationship that we had this season, what he did in the dressing room for the players, what he did for the club the last three years, how he played this season.

"I want to remember that with Steve Cook, and not the first goal we conceded today, because Cookie was an important player for us this season, on the pitch, out of the pitch, and top professional as well. So I want to wish him the best for the future."

Swansea's Vitor Matos:

"Really pleased, it was a good game from us. We tried to dominate with and without the ball.

"We could have scored a second from open play but we didn't. We were not lucky with the penalty. It was a bad decision."

Tags:

football report

Share this article

Related Posts

Sir Alex Ferguson: Man Utd legend taken to hospital after feeling unwell ahead of his former side's Premier League game with Liverpool

Sir Alex Ferguson: Man Utd legend taken to hospital after feeling unwell ahead of his former side's Premier League game with Liverpool

Sir Alex Ferguson was taken to hospital after feeling unwell ahead of Manchester United vs Liverpool on Sunday. The 84-year-old legendary United boss,...

Man City 1-0 Liverpool: Rebecca Knaak's late goal puts hosts on verge of WSL title

Man City 1-0 Liverpool: Rebecca Knaak's late goal puts hosts on verge of WSL title

Rebecca Knaak's late strike saw Manchester City beat Liverpool 1-0 and take a step closer to the WSL title.Andree Jeglertz's side needed to bounce bac...

Hibs 1-2 Celtic: Martin O'Neill waiting on Daizen Maeda's fitness as trouble in front of goal persists despite victory

Hibs 1-2 Celtic: Martin O'Neill waiting on Daizen Maeda's fitness as trouble in front of goal persists despite victory

Celtic's attacking concerns have increased ahead of next weekend's Old Firm showdown after Daizen Maeda limped off during the 2-1 win over 10-man Hibs...

Premier League title race: Arsenal have 'flipped the pressure' onto Man City by taking a six-point lead, says Jamie Redknapp

Premier League title race: Arsenal have 'flipped the pressure' onto Man City by taking a six-point lead, says Jamie Redknapp

Arsenal have "flipped the pressure" on to Man City in the Premier League title race after a 3-0 thumping of Fulham extended their lead to six points a...

Bruno Fernandes closing in on Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry's Premier League assists record - The Radar

Bruno Fernandes closing in on Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry's Premier League assists record - The Radar

Welcome to The Radar, a Your Site column in which uses a blend of data and opinion to shed light on need-to-know stories from up and down the Premie...

Arsenal 3-0 Fulham: Viktor Gyokeres and Bukayo Saka on target as Gunners go six points clear of Man City

Arsenal 3-0 Fulham: Viktor Gyokeres and Bukayo Saka on target as Gunners go six points clear of Man City

Arsenal moved six points clear of Manchester City and boosted their goal difference with a dominant 3-0 win over Fulham.The Gunners scored all three g...