Julien Stephan refuses to dwell on Steve Cook’s mistake as QPR lose to Swansea

QPR boss Julien Stephan refused to dwell on Steve Cook’s costly mistake and instead bemoaned a “crazy” penalty decision in the 2-1 defeat by Swansea.

Veteran defender Cook ruined his own QPR leaving party by gifting Swansea an early goal at Loftus Road.

He 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.

Stephan said: “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.”

Stephan instead reserved his anger for referee John Busby’s decision to award a penalty 10 minutes from time.

Tylon Smith clearly fouled Eom Ji-Sung but the contact was well outside the area, but Busby pointed to the spot and Swans top scorer Zan Vipotnik tucked away the penalty.

“It’s the first time in my career I concede a penalty like this, one or two metres outside the penalty area,” he added. “It’s unbelievable. I think the referee was very far away, but yeah, it’s crazy.”

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

“Really pleased, it was a good game from us,” said Swans boss Vitor Matos. “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.”