Swansea City 0-1 Queens Park Rangers: Steve Cook goal continues Hoops' revival

Queens Park Rangers continued their Championship revival as Steve Cook's second-half goal secured victory at Swansea City.

Swansea will feel they deserved something having controlled the second half, with Matt Grimes hitting the bar with a free-kick and teenage substitute Aimar Govea coming close to a fluke equaliser when his cross beat Asmir Begovic but bounced to safety off the far post.

Rangers had been the better side before the break, with Ilias Chair seeing an effort cleared off the line, yet it was Swansea who looked more likely to find a winner until Cook struck for the second time in as many games.

The Hoops have now won seven - and lost just two - of their last 13 Championship matches.

Their sharp upturn in form means Marti Cifuentes' team are six points clear of the relegation zone in 16th, with Swansea one point and one place better off after they lost for only the second time in seven matches.

After successes against Blackburn Rovers and Cardiff City, Swansea were aiming to claim three successive home victories for the first time this season.

But Rangers have been in impressive form on the road since the turn of the year and began confidently in south Wales.

Paul Smyth, Lyndon Dykes and Chair all saw efforts blocked before Nathan Wood's sliding challenge denied Joe Hodge.

The clearest chance of the first half fell to Chair, after Josh Key's attempted clearance hit Harry Darling and dropped at the Moroccan's feet.

Chair's point-blank effort beat goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, but Darling saved Swansea as he blocked on the line.

Swansea's best spell of the opening period came just before the break, with Ronald drawing a sharp save from Rangers keeper Begovic when he met Jamal Lowe's deep cross with a far-post volley.

Josh Tymon then came close to scoring one of the Swans' goals of the season with a beautifully struck half-volley which Begovic pawed away.

The impressive Tymon began the second period with a nutmeg and whipped cross which deserved better than Jerry Yates' wayward header, before Grimes' sweet 25-yard set-piece beat Begovic only to bounce safety off the woodwork.

Swansea quickly came again, Yates teeing up Ollie Cooper for a shot which was struck tamely at Begovic, before Rangers snatched the points with almost their only effort of the second period.

When Lucas Andersen's corner was headed back across goal by Jimmy Dunne, Cook was perfectly placed to crash the ball home.

Swansea pushed and pushed for an equaliser, with Grimes and Liam Walsh seeing efforts blocked before Govea's near miss. With that, Rangers could celebrate.

Swansea head coach Luke Williams:

"I think we should have got something but football is a beautiful game because it keeps you honest.

"If you don't take your chances you are always vulnerable, and if you then switch off from a set-piece you are always vulnerable.

"We started slowly. We were off the pace a little bit and QPR had good energy. As the first half went on we became more dominant and second half we were very dominant, but domination counts for little if you don't convert your chances.

"I didn't even look at the league table, but we only have to concentrate on our margins. We are happy and we are enthusiastic that we are moving forward in the right direction."

QPR head coach Marti Cifuentes:

"I am proud and happy of course. I am proud for the effort, for the work the guys put into it, because it's not an easy game.

"We started in a good way, getting some chances, but I think slowly Swansea started showing why they are a good team. Since January they have been getting better and better.

"They have good quality players and a style of play that is difficult to play against. We adjusted some details at half-time. We had the capacity to score in a key moment.

"What I know when I see the table is that we need more points. We are in a good moment of course, the team is improving, but we need to be aware that there are six games left and we need more points."