A stunning double save from Pierce Charles in added time stopped West Ham from climbing to the top of the Championship and earned Queens Park Rangers a point in a breathless 1-1 draw at London Stadium.
The QPR goalkeeper, on loan from Manchester City, kept out Jarrod Bowen’s penalty deep into added time before reacting superbly to tip Arne Engels’ header against the woodwork from the rebound.
The spot kick arrived after Bowen, wearing the captain’s armband for the hosts, delivered the cross that led to Amadou Mbengue hauling down Pablo inside the area.
QPR had earlier taken the lead through Nicolas Madsen’s controversial penalty, converted after the returning Tomas Soucek was adjudged to have fouled Paul Smyth inside the box.
That goal had the visitors on course to move above their opponents, and they produced an assured first-half showing, going close to a second when Rayan Kolli had a shot turned away by goalkeeper Mads Hermansen before the break.
Nuno Espirito Santo responded by sending on Edvin Austbo and Pablo for Kyle Walker-Peters and Soucek at the interval, and West Ham were well on top by the time Bowen levelled, surging inside from the right and firing in at the second attempt after his initial effort was blocked.
Bowen had already seen a shot repelled by Charles before the Northern Ireland international’s late heroics from 12 yards, as West Ham pushed for a winner.
The evening also carried a sombre note, with the hosts paying tribute to goalkeeper and coach Ludek Miklosko, who died last month.
Parker questions first penalty call
Former QPR and England defender Paul Parker described referee Ruebyn Ricardo’s decision to award the first penalty as “terrible”.
“[It was an] absolutely perfect position for the referee to see the deviation on the ball,” Parker told BBC Radio London.
“You can see the reaction from the player. Even Smyth wasn’t jumping around looking for it. The referee has made a boo-boo there, a double boo-boo.”
Team news
West Ham made one change to the side that started their 2-2 draw at Millwall in the Championship on September 19, bringing in midfielder Soucek for Joel Piroe. Mohamadou Kante was suspended after being dismissed in that game.
QPR made five changes to the team that drew 2-2 at home to Preston North End on the same day, introducing Kealey Adamson, Jake Clarke-Salter, Boy Kemper, Smyth and Kolli.
Mbengue, Harvey Vale and Leon Scarlett moved to the bench, Rumarn Burrell was not involved and Dennis Cirkin was suspended.
The line-ups
West Ham: Mads Hermansen, Kyle Walker-Peters, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Maximilian Kilman, Morato, Jarrod Bowen, Tomas Soucek, Divine Mukasa, Arne Engels, Manor Solomon, Valentin Castellanos.
Substitutes: Joel Piroe, Pablo, Alphonse Areola, Soungoutou Magassa, Ollie Scarles, Joel Veltman, Edvin Austbo, Airidas Golambeckis, Lewis Orford.
QPR: Pierce Charles, Kealey Adamson, Jimmy Dunne, Jake Clarke-Salter, Boy Kemper, Nicolas Madsen, Ronnie Edwards, Glen Kamara, Kwame Poku, Rayan Kolli, Paul Smyth.
Substitutes: Liam Morrison, Calum Ward, Harvey Vale, Richard Kone, Justin Obikwu, Amadou Mbengue, Leon Scarlett, Jonathan Varane, Tariq Lamptey.
What comes next
QPR are next in action at home to Derby County, who began the weekend in the relegation zone. West Ham visit Lincoln City, who were 12th before the latest round of fixtures.
Saturday’s televised games are exclusively on Sky Sports Plus in the UK, with Southampton against Portsmouth on ITV1, STV, ITVX and STV Player. That match is also being shown on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Ultra and Sky Sports Plus.
West Ham’s push for a place at the top of the table must wait, while QPR can take heart from a performance that ended with their goalkeeper at the centre of the drama at London Stadium.
