West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Queens Park Rangers: Championship high-fliers play out draw

West Bromwich Albion and Queens Park Rangers missed the chance to go top of the Championship as they drew 1-1 at The Hawthorns.

A drab game came to life in the final seven minutes of the first half as Chris Mepham's unfortunate own goal gave QPR the lead against the run of play before Callum Styles equalised three minutes later for the Baggies.

Both sides had chances after the break but neither could score a decisive goal.

The point moves Albion second in the table, behind leaders West Ham United on goal difference after their 6-0 win over Wrexham on Friday night, while QPR go third, two points behind, before Saturday's 15:00 BST matches.

A combination of injuries, suspensions and the quick turnaround from games on Wednesday night meant both sides made five changes for the lunchtime kick-off as they started the day second and fourth in the Championship.

It showed as they struggled to create any chances until the 35th minute when Aune Heggebo fired a Toby Collyer cross just wide for the hosts.

It was Collyer, making his first start since his £3m move from Manchester United, who gave the ball away for QPR's opener which came against the run of play - the Baggies having had more than 70% of first-half possession.

His loose pass allowed Kwame Poku to break and play in Rumarn Burrell, whose shot was saved by goalkeeper Max O'Leary but bounced off the face of recalled defender Mepham and into the net.

But West Brom were not behind for long as Styles, moved across to right-back with Nolan Galves injured and Brayann Pereira suspended, curled a lovely low left-footed strike into the bottom corner from the edge of the box after Felix Myhre's pass.

West Brom's Isaac Price forced a good save from Northern Ireland team-mate Pierce Charles with a low free-kick early in the second half, while Jayson Molumby headed a corner wide when unmarked at the back post soon after.

QPR's second chance of the game came in the 63rd minute when Poku's low strike from 12 yards was kept out by O'Leary, while the home goalkeeper got down well to keep out Burrell's back-post header from a corner seven minutes later.

Both sides had the chance to go top at the start of the day - although QPR would have needed a huge win.

But neither side were able to create much quality in front of goal. Styles' strike was impressive, while QPR's goal came from a mixture of home errors and an unfortunate bounce off Mepham.

Having seen West Ham so comprehensively beat Wrexham on Friday night, you would say there is a long way to go before either side can claim to be in the same class as the former Premier League side.

But with injuries and suspensions taking their toll, fans of both sides can be pleased that their squads are deep enough to get a point against a fellow high-flying opponent after making five changes.

West Bromwich Albion head coach James Morrison told BBC WM:

"It was a positive point. I think first half we had good control, they hit us on the break probably from our mistake, it hit Meps in the face and goes in.

"But we showed good character really to come back with a nice-worked goal.

"I think the game opened up in the second half, we had some spells, they had some spells, it was just that last little bit really and I think for a neutral it was a good game of football.

"But I'm pleased with the lads, they gave everything again, seven points in a week, so it's a positive week."

Queens Park Rangers head coach Julian Stephan told BBC Radio London:

"I give a lot of credit to the players to earn a point like this.

"I think it was a tough game. We knew before that we faced today the leaders, a team with very great confidence and I think we managed the situation quite well.

"Tactically, it was good. We locked the main spaces today with intelligence.

"The only regret that I can have is to concede the goal just after we scored. It was too quickly and it was a situation where two times we had the opportunity to win the ball in between and he finished with a good goal.

"We had the best chance in the second half as well with Kwame, the keeper did a great save, but I have to say as well that they had more control than us today. But they had the control more in the midfield positions, so it was not really dangerous for us."

Click here to read article