West Bromwich Albion managed to claw back a point after falling behind early, finishing the Sky Bet Championship clash at The Hawthorns with a 1-1 stalemate against Queens Park Rangers. The match unfolded with QPR taking the lead through an own‑goal by Chris Mepham in the 38th minute, a moment that came completely contrary to the flow of the game.
Just three minutes later, Callum Styles responded, restoring parity and extending the Baggies' unbeaten run at home to eleven matches, while QPR remained unbeaten on the road this season. Both sides created a respectable number of chances, though West Brom enjoyed a slightly higher volume of opportunities. The line‑up featured a few notable returns: former Manchester United midfielder Toby Collyer and Conor Townsend earned their first starts since rejoining the club, and defender Mepham was handed the captain’s armband for the encounter. The team made three changes compared with their 1-0 victory over Derby County on Wednesday, mirroring the number of alterations made by the visitors.
From the outset, Albion imposed an early tempo. Rabby Nzingoula’s wayward effort struck Felix Horn Myhre, who deflected the ball toward goal before it drifted wide.
In the 34th minute, Isaac Price delivered an inswinging corner that was punched clear by QPR goalkeeper Pierce Charles, who managed to keep the ball on the line as the home side pressed for a breakthrough. Shortly after, Aune Heggebo met a cross from Collyer with a powerful rising shot that appeared to strike the crossbar, only to bounce off the stanchion behind the net. The unexpected twist came when QPR capitalised on a defensive lapse. Kwame Poku surged forward, releasing Rumarn Burrell, who out‑muscled his marker before forcing West Brom keeper Max O'Leary into a diving save.
The rebound ricocheted off Mepham’s head and rolled into the unguarded net, giving the visitors a lead that seemed at odds with the overall rhythm of the match. West Brom’s response was swift. In the 41st minute, Styles—deployed in an unfamiliar right‑back role—curled a low drive from just outside the penalty area into the far corner, marking his second goal of the season and leveling the score. The equaliser reignited the home side’s momentum.
After the restart, Price again threatened to put Albion ahead when his curling free‑kick was tipped away by Charles. Jayson Molumby later headed a Styles corner narrowly wide at the far post. Both managers warned of the danger posed by counter‑attacks. Poku forced O'Leary into a spectacular flying save after finding space inside the box and shooting from twelve yards.
Meanwhile, Mepham’s well‑timed header forced Charles into a reflex save from a subsequent Price corner. Charles also had to stay alert to deny Styles’ low free‑kick after the full‑back was fouled on the edge of the area. QPR continued to test the defence.
Burrell’s header, set up by Harvey Vale’s corner, was smothered by O'Leary at the foot of the post. Late in the game, substitute Jimmy‑Jay Morgan had a chance to snatch victory for Albion, blasting a header over the far post after meeting a Molumby cross.
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 boss 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." Overall, the match showcased a blend of tactical discipline, individual brilliance, and moments of misfortune. West Brom’s ability to bounce back from an own‑goal deficit demonstrated resilience, while QPR’s solid defensive shape kept them in contention despite the setback.
Both teams left the field with something to build on: the Baggies maintaining their impressive home form and the Rangers preserving their unbeaten away record, setting the stage for an intriguing continuation of the Championship campaign.