West Bromwich Albion managed to claw back a point after falling behind early, finishing the match level at 1-1 with Queens Park Rangers in a Sky Bet Championship fixture at The Hawthorns. The game unfolded with a dramatic swing of momentum, highlighted by an own‑goal that gave QPR a fleeting lead before Callum Styles stepped in to restore parity for the hosts, extending their unbeaten run at home to eleven games while QPR continued their unbeaten streak on the road this season.
The opening half saw both sides creating opportunities, but it was QPR who struck first, albeit in an unfortunate manner for the visitors. In the 38th minute, a cross from QPR found its way to the head of Chris Mepham, who inadvertently redirected the ball into his own net. The own‑goal came completely against the flow of play, catching West Brom by surprise and giving the London side a three‑minute advantage. Only three minutes later, however, the Baggies responded.
Callum Styles, deployed unusually as a right‑back, surged forward and curled a low‑driven shot from just outside the penalty area into the bottom corner, leveling the score at 1-1. That goal marked Styles' second of the season and underscored his versatility, having previously operated in midfield, on the wing, and at wing‑back. His equaliser not only rescued a point but also kept West Brom's impressive home record intact.
The match featured several notable line‑up changes. Former Manchester United midfielder Toby Collyer and defender Conor Townsend earned their first starts since rejoining Albion, while Mepham wore the captain's armband. Both teams made five alterations from the previous weekend's 1-0 victory over Derby County, reflecting the managers' desire to tweak tactics and manage player fitness. Early on, West Brom tried to impose their rhythm.
Rabby Nzingoula unleashed a wayward effort that clipped Felix Horn Myhre, diverting the ball toward goal before it drifted wide. Later, a set‑piece drama unfolded when Isaac Price delivered an inswinging corner that Pierce Charles punched clear on the line. The hosts pressed for a breakthrough, and in the 34th minute Aune Heggebo struck a thunderous rising shot that seemed to hit the crossbar, only to rebound off the stanchion behind the goal. QPR's fleeting lead materialised when Kwame Poku surged forward, sending Rumarn Burrell racing into space.
Burrell's drive forced Max O'Leary into a diving save, and the rebound ricocheted off Mepham's head and into the unguarded net, giving the visitors a 1-0 advantage despite the overall flow of the game favouring the home side. The equaliser arrived just before halftime. Styles, playing out of his usual position, demonstrated composure by curling a low shot from the edge of the box past a diving Charles, restoring parity at 1-1.
The goal shifted the psychological balance, and both managers made subtle adjustments during the break. The second half continued with chances at both ends. Price's curling free‑kick was tipped away by Charles, while Jayson Molumby headed a Styles corner narrowly wide at the far post. QPR remained a threat 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 planted header from a Price corner forced Charles into a falling save, illustrating the aerial battle that characterized much of the latter stages. West Brom's substitute Jimmy‑Jay Morgan came close to snatching a winner in the dying minutes.
After Molumby delivered a cross, Morgan rose powerfully and headed towards the far post, only to blast the ball over the bar, missing the chance to clinch all three points. Post‑match comments highlighted the performances. 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 resilience, 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 was a tightly contested affair that showcased West Brom's ability to respond under pressure and QPR's disciplined defensive structure. Both clubs left the pitch with something to build on: the Baggies maintaining their home invincibility and the Rangers preserving their unbeaten away record.
The point earned by West Brom keeps them within reach of the promotion chase, while QPR continues to demonstrate that they can grind out results even when deprived of their usual possession‑based style.