Jimmy Dunne never had the chance to show his quality in Manchester United's first-team after close to a decade in the Premier League side's academy, but scored arguably the goal of his career for embattled Queens Park Rangers against Birmingham City on Good Friday.
Irish centre-back Dunne was on United's books from the age of 10, but left for Burnley in 2016. He was part of a UEFA Youth League squad containing the likes of Marcus Rashford and Dean Henderson, but was never handed a chance with the senior side himself.
After five years at Turf Moor, many of them spent out on loan, the defender moved south in 2021. Now, in his third QPR season, he has scored a goal which could play a big part in helping Marti Cifuentes' side avoid relegation from the Championship.
Following a goalless first half, QPR's fellow strugglers Birmingham went in front at Loftus Road. Steve Cook delivered a quickfire equaliser before fellow defender Dunne fired home a stunning left-footed volley in stoppage-time, his first goal of the season.
The win lifts QPR up to 18th in the table, four points clear of the drop with seven games remaining. It's quite the turnaround for Cifuentes' side, who were six points from safety when the Spaniard took over in October.
World Cup hero wants Man Utd move as doubts over Harry Maguire's future grow
The Rs weren't the only strugglers to win on a busy Friday afternoon. Stoke earned a valuable 2-0 win away at play-off hopefuls Hull, thanks to second-half goals from Josh Laurent and Ki-Jana Hoever.
While bottom side Rotherham are all but relegated, and lost to Preston, Birmingham's defeat at Loftus Road leaves them outside the relegation places on goal difference alone. As things stand, Huddersfield and Sheffield Wednesday sit below the dotted line after the Terriers lost at home to Coventry and the Owls could only draw with Swansea at Hillsborough.
Who will go down from the Championship this season? Have your say in the comments section
Birmingham remain in relegation danger after losing at QPR (Getty Images)At the other end of the table, title contenders Leicester City squandered a chance to put pressure on their rivals in the early kick-off. A 1-0 defeat at Bristol City left them with just one win from their last six games, opening the door for Ipswich and Leeds to take advantage in the later games.
Ipswich took full advantage, beating Blackburn while surviving two disallowed goals from their opponents. Leeds, however, needed a late Mateo Joseph goal to escape with a point against Watford.
Coventry's win at Huddersfield left the FA Cup semi-finalists in play-off contention, but the gap to sixth spot still sits at four points with a game in hand. That's because Norwich came from behind to take all three points against strugglers Plymouth, with an Ashley Phillips own goal proving decisive.
There will be another full programme of Championship football on Easter Monday, with Leicester v Norwich among the fixtures. The 5.30 kick-off sees Ipswich up against Southampton, with defeat for the visitors potentially ending their lingering hopes of an automatic promotion spot.
and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
