Callum Styles rescued a point for West Bromwich Albion after the team clawed back from an early deficit to finish the match level at 1-1 against Queens Park Rangers in the Sky Bet Championship at The Hawthorns. The visitors opened the scoring in the 38th minute when a Chris Mepham own‑goal slipped past the Albion defence, a moment that came completely contrary to the flow of the game. The advantage was short‑lived; just three minutes later Styles restored parity, extending the Baggies' unbeaten run at home to eleven games while QPR continued their unbeaten record away from home this season. Although West Brom created a slightly higher number of chances overall, the London side also enjoyed a respectable share of opportunities.
The line‑up featured several notable returns: former Manchester United midfielder Toby Collyer and full‑back Conor Townsend made their first starts since re‑joining the club, and defender Chris Mepham wore the captain's armband for the match. The two teams made five changes each from the previous fixture, a 1-0 win at Derby County.
West Brom seized the initiative early, with Rabby Nzingoula's wayward effort striking the foot of Felix Horn Myhre and ricocheting back into a dangerous position, only to drift wide of the post. Later, a corner taken by Isaac Price was punched clear by QPR goalkeeper Pierce Charles, who was positioned on the line as the hosts pressed for a breakthrough. In the 34th minute, Aune Heggebo connected with a cross from Collyer, unleashing a thunderous rising shot that appeared to strike the cross‑bar before rebounding off the stanchion behind the goal.
The moment proved pivotal, as the ball subsequently fell to QPR in a manner that seemed to defy the rhythm of the match. Kwame Poku released Rumarn Burrell on a swift run, and Burrell out‑muscled his marker before forcing QPR keeper Max O'Leary into a diving save.
The rebound, however, struck Mepham on the head and rolled into the empty net, gifting the visitors a lead that was entirely against the prevailing flow of play. West Brom responded swiftly. In the 41st minute, Styles – deployed out of his usual position at right‑back – curled a low‑driven shot from just outside the penalty area into the bottom corner, securing his second goal of the season and leveling the score.
The equaliser reignited the Baggies' momentum. After the restart, Price came close to putting Albion ahead for the first time when his curling free‑kick was tipped away by Charles. Shortly thereafter, Jayson Molumby headed a corner taken by Styles just wide of the far post. Both sides remained wary of each other's counter‑attacking threat.
Poku forced O'Leary into a crucial flying save after finding space inside the box and shooting from twelve yards. On the opposite flank, Mepham's well‑timed header compelled Charles to make a diving save from a Price corner.
The goalkeeper also had to stay alert when Styles earned a free‑kick on the edge of the area; his low delivery was comfortably gathered by Charles. QPR continued to probe, with Burrell's header from a Harvey Vale corner being smothered by O'Leary at the foot of the post. Late in the game, substitute Jimmy‑Jay Morgan had a chance to clinch the win for West Brom but blasted a header over the far post after meeting a cross from Molumby.
Post‑match, West Brom manager James Morrison praised Styles, saying, "I challenged Callum. He can't just rest on being player of the season. He's got to go and show it again. He's been rewarded with a new contract and I didn't want him to pick the big contract up and not be at that level of performance.
I believe in Callum so much that I think I could play him anywhere and he would be just as good. I said to him 'come inside onto your left foot and shoot' and it was a great finish. He's used to playing in midfield so he could come inside or he could stay wide. When he was younger he played as a winger and he's played at wing‑back, so it was just about trying to get that balance right with Rabby Nzingoula.
I thought they dealt with it really well." QPR head coach Julien Stephan reflected on his side's performance: "When you face a team with very good confidence and strong results it's really important to be strong in your foundation and our defensive organisation was brilliant. Usually we are better with the ball and are able to create more danger. Today it was more difficult for us to create with the ball, even if we had the best chance of the second half with Kwame Poku. But it was a lovely move for our goal.
I enjoyed it because it was part of our game plan after the ball was regained to be able to use the space behind their centre‑backs." The draw leaves both clubs with valuable points as the Championship race intensifies. West Brom maintains their solid home form, while QPR continues to demonstrate resilience on the road, setting up an intriguing contest for the weeks ahead.