Callum Styles salvaged a point for West Bromwich Albion after the team clawed back from an early deficit to finish the match level at 1-1 with Queens Park Rangers in the Sky Bet Championship clash at The Hawthorns. The visitors had taken the lead in the 38th minute when a Chris Mepham own‑goal, completely contrary to the flow of the game, found the back of the net.
That advantage, however, was short‑lived; just three minutes later Styles restored parity, extending the Baggies' unbeaten run at home to eleven fixtures, while QPR have yet to suffer a defeat on the road this season. Both sides created a reasonable number of chances, with Albion edging the tally slightly, but the London club also generated a respectable share of opportunities.
The match saw the return to the starting XI of former Manchester United midfielder Toby Collyer and full‑back Conor Townsend, both making their first starts since rejoining the squad, while defender Chris Mepham captained the side. The lineup featured three of five changes from the previous day's 1-0 victory over Derby County, mirroring the number of alterations made by the visitors. West Brom set the early tempo, and a wayward strike from Rabby Nzingoula struck the leg of Felix Horn Myhre, diverting the ball towards goal before it drifted wide. Later, Isaac Price delivered an inswinging corner that was punched clear by QPR goalkeeper Pierce Charles, who was positioned on the goal line as the hosts continued to press for a breakthrough.
In the 34th minute, Aune Heggebo met a cross from Collyer with a powerful, rising effort that appeared to strike the crossbar, only for the ball to rebound off the stanchion behind the net. Shortly after, against the prevailing rhythm of the match, QPR seized the lead when Kwame Poku released Rumarn Burrell down the left flank.
Burrell out‑muscled his marker, forcing QPR keeper Max O'Leary into a diving save; the rebound ricocheted off Mepham's head and rolled into the empty net, giving the visitors a 1-0 advantage. West Brom responded swiftly.
In the 41st minute, Styles—deployed in an unfamiliar right‑back position—curled a low‑driven shot from just outside the penalty area into the far corner, marking his second goal of the season and leveling the score. After the restart, Price came close to putting Albion ahead when his curling free‑kick was tipped away by Charles. Jayson Molumby then headed a Styles corner narrowly wide at the far post.
Both teams had to remain vigilant against each other's counter‑attacking threats. Poku forced O'Leary into a spectacular flying save after creating space inside the box and unleashing a 12‑yard effort. On the opposite end, Mepham's powerful header forced Charles into a falling save from a 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 when Burrell's header from a Harvey Vale corner was 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 Albion, but his powerful header from a Molumby cross sailed over the far post. West Brom manager James Morrison praised Styles after the match, 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 coach Julien Stephan reflected on his side's performance, 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." The draw leaves both clubs with valuable points: West Brom maintain their unbeaten home streak and keep their push for a promotion place alive, while QPR continue their impressive away record, having yet to taste defeat on the road this campaign.
The match also highlighted the tactical flexibility of Callum Styles, who proved capable of influencing the game from an unconventional defensive slot, and underscored the importance of set‑piece execution, as both sides created several clear‑cut chances from corners and free‑kicks. The result sets up an intriguing run‑in for the remainder of the season, with both teams eager to build on their performances and climb the Championship table.