West Bromwich Albion managed to claw back a point after falling behind early, ultimately finishing the match level at 1-1 with Queens Park Rangers in a Sky Bet Championship fixture at The Hawthorns. The game unfolded with QPR taking the lead in the 38th minute through an own goal by defender Chris Mepham, a moment that came completely contrary to the flow of play.
The advantage was short-lived, however, as Callum Styles restored parity just three minutes later, keeping the Baggies unbeaten at home for a remarkable eleven matches, while QPR continued their flawless record on the road this season. Both sides created a reasonable number of opportunities, though West Brom seemed to generate slightly more chances overall. Notably, former Manchester United midfielder Toby Collyer and Conor Townsend earned their first starts since rejoining the club, while Mepham was handed the captain's armband for the visitors.
The line‑up featured three of five changes from the previous Wednesday’s 1-0 win at Derby County, mirroring the number of alterations made by the QPR side. The opening exchanges saw Albion press early. A wayward strike from Rabby Nzingoula clipped the foot of Felix Horn Myhre, deflecting the ball toward goal before it drifted wide. Shortly after, 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 continued to look for a breakthrough.
In the 34th minute, Aune Heggebo met a cross from Collyer with a powerful rising shot that appeared to strike the crossbar, only to rebound off the stanchion behind the goal. The turning point arrived when QPR, against the grain of the match, capitalised on a defensive mishap. Kwame Poku sent a through ball to Rumarn Burrell, who sprinted clear, turned his marker and forced West Brom keeper Max O'Leary into a diving save.
The rebound fell to Mepham, whose head inadvertently redirected the ball into his own net, granting the visitors a 1-0 lead. West Brom responded swiftly. In the 41st minute, Styles, deployed unusually as a right‑back, curled a low drive from just outside the penalty area into the bottom corner, securing his second goal of the season and equalising for the home side.
The goal re‑energised the Baggies, who continued to test the QPR defence. Price later threatened to put Albion ahead with a curling free‑kick that Charles managed to tip away. Jayson Molumby then headed a Styles corner narrowly wide at the far post.
Both teams had to remain vigilant against counter‑attacks. Poku forced O'Leary into a crucial flying save after creating space inside the box and unleashing a shot from twelve yards.
Meanwhile, Mepham’s well‑timed header from a corner forced Charles into a reflex save, and the goalkeeper later had to react quickly to a low free‑kick from Styles after the full‑back was fouled on the edge of the area. QPR continued to press, with Burrell’s header from a Harvey Vale corner being smothered by O'Leary at the foot of the post.
In the dying moments, substitute Jimmy‑Jay Morgan had a chance to win the game for West Brom; his powerful header from a Molumby cross sailed over the far post, missing the decisive goal. After the final whistle, West Brom midfielder 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 manager Julien Stephan reflected on the match, noting, "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 encounter highlighted West Brom's resilience at home and QPR's ability to stay unbeaten away. Both sides demonstrated tactical flexibility, with several players adapting to unfamiliar positions and contributing crucial moments.
The draw leaves the Baggies maintaining their strong home form, while the Rangers continue their impressive away run, setting the stage for an intriguing second half of the Championship season.