Callum Styles secured a valuable point for West Bromwich Albion after the team clawed back from a deficit to finish the match level at 1-1 against Queens Park Rangers in the Sky Bet Championship fixture at The Hawthorns. The visitors opened the scoring in the 38th minute when a Chris Mepham own‑goal slipped past the defence, a moment that came completely contrary to the flow of the game. Only three minutes later, Styles restored parity for the home side, extending the Baggies' unbeaten run at their own ground to eleven matches while QPR continued their flawless record away from home this season.
Although Albion generated a slightly higher volume of chances, the London side also created a respectable number of opportunities. The line‑up featured former Manchester United midfielder Toby Collyer and Conor Townsend, both making their first starts since rejoining the club, while Mepham captained the side for the encounter. The team made three changes from the previous Wednesday's 1-0 victory over Derby County, matching the number of alterations made by the visitors.
From the opening whistle, West Brom imposed an early tempo. A wayward strike from Rabby Nzingoula struck the foot of Felix Horn Myhre, deflecting the ball towards goal before drifting wide of the post. In the 34th minute, Isaac Price delivered an inswinging corner that was punched clear by QPR goalkeeper Pierce Charles, who was positioned on the line as the hosts pressed for a breakthrough. Shortly after, Aune Heggebo met a cross from Collyer with a thunderous rising effort that seemed to strike the crossbar, only to be confirmed as a hit on the stanchion behind the goal.
The decisive moment arrived just before halftime when Kwame Poku released Rumarn Burrell on a rapid run. Burrell out‑muscled his marker and forced QPR keeper Max O'Leary into a diving save; the rebound ricocheted off Mepham's head and rolled into the unguarded net, giving QPR a lead that was completely at odds with the prevailing rhythm of the match. However, the Baggies 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 bottom corner, marking his second goal of the season and leveling the score. After the break, 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 sides remained cautious, aware of the danger each posed on the counter‑attack. Poku forced O'Leary into a crucial flying save after creating space inside the box and shooting from twelve yards.
Meanwhile, Mepham's headed clearance forced Charles into a reflexive save from another Price corner. Later, Charles had to stay alert to parry a low free‑kick from Styles after the full‑back was fouled on the edge of the area.
QPR continued to test the defence; Burrell's header from a Harvey Vale corner was smothered by O'Leary at the foot of the post. In the dying minutes, substitute Jimmy‑Jay Morgan had a chance to snatch victory for Albion, but his powerful header from a Molumby cross sailed over the far post. 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 team's effort: "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 match demonstrated both clubs' resilience. West Brom's ability to respond quickly after conceding highlighted their determination to protect their home record, while QPR's disciplined defensive shape ensured they remained unbeaten on the road.
The draw leaves both sides with valuable points as the Championship race intensifies, and fans can look forward to further contests as the season progresses.