A strike in each half from Brazilian Marcelo brightened up a dismal game and
left Rangers hovering above the drop-zone.
United's leading scorer took his tally for the season to 19 with a goal in
each half, including a rarity at Bramall lane - a converted penalty.
The Blades had missed their last five spot kicks, including a tame effort from
Marcelo himself.
So the home fans could be forgiven for averting their gaze when referee John
Brandwood pointed to the spot in the 38th minute after Rangers striker George
Kulscar handled.
However, the Blades striker showed nerves of steel to end the spot-kick jinx
by calmly slotting the ball home.
Rangers' plan to play for a badly-needed point had almost been ripped up as
early as the fourth minute when Jonathan Hunt struck a deft 20-yard free kick
that brushed the outside of keeper Lee Harper's right hand post.
The visitors never troubled United keeper Alan Kelly, despite manager Gerry
Francis throwing on Iain Dowie as a substitute at the start of the second half.
But it was the home side who kept on pressing, and it was Marcelo who sealed
the game with a goal of real quality in the 61st minute.
Greek winger George Donis started the move. He outpaced full-back Ian
Barraclough and slid the ball into the path of the overlapping Rob Kozluk.
United's right-lack looked up and flighted the cross delightfully onto the head
of Marcelo, whose firm downward header gave Harper no chance.
Moments later, Donis and Kozluk again combined, but this time the cross was
parried to safety by the Rangers keeper.
All eyes were now on Marcelo to see if he could complete the a hat-trick, and
he almost obliged with a vicious drive that beat Harper but sailed inches over
the bar.
However, the 29-year-old's brace proved the difference on the day, and he left
the field to a standing ovation by the Bramall Lane faithful.
Teams
Sheff Utd: Kelly, Kozluk, Quinn, Jacobsen, Sandford, Tebily,
Donis (Katchouro 69), Campbell (Derry 78), Marcelo, Ford,
Hunt (Dellas 46).
Goals: Marcelo 38 pen, 61.
QPR: Harper, Breacker, Baraclough, Darlington (Linighan 80),
Ready, Maddix, Murray (Dowie 46), Peacock, Kulcsar,
Gallen (Rowland 64), Kiwomya.
Booked: Darlington, Kulcsar, Dowie.
Att: 14,341
Ref: J Brandwood (Lichfield).
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