West Ham United were denied the top spot in the Championship after a dramatic 1‑1 draw at the London Stadium, with QPR goalkeeper Pierce Charles making a double‑save in stoppage time to preserve the point. The 21‑year‑old, who has already kept four clean sheets this season and saved a penalty for Northern Ireland, stopped Jarrod Bowen’s late penalty and then deflected the rebound from Arne Engels onto the crossbar. The result left the Hammers a point behind leaders Rangers, who had taken a 1‑0 lead in the first half.
The match began with a controversial moment when West Ham’s Tomas Souček was penalised for a challenge on Paul Smyth. Replays showed the contact was well outside the penalty area, and the ball had already reached the striker, but without VAR in the Championship the decision stood. West Ham’s captain Nicolas Madsen calmly converted the penalty, making it 1‑0. In the second half, Rangers mounted a quick counter‑attack from a West Ham corner, but Rayan Kolli’s shot was denied by Mads Hermansen. West Ham’s manager Nuno Espírito Santo made a double substitution at half‑time, bringing on Pablo Felipe and Edvin Austbø for Souček and Kyle Walker‑Peters, hoping to change the game.
Bowen had a difficult first half, but he found form in the 70th minute. After a hard tackle on Ronnie Edwards that left him with a bloody nose, Bowen won the ball and, with the help of left‑back Boy Kemper, darted into the penalty area. His first shot was blocked, but he collected the rebound and fired a shot that seemed destined for the net. Charles, however, threw a hand to deflect the ball past the post. The Hammers pressed for a winner, but the effort was not enough.
In the dying minutes, QPR’s Amadou Mbengue grabbed Pablo’s shirt as the referee signaled for another penalty. Bowen again stepped up and, with a quick turn, shot the ball toward the bottom corner. Charles made a spectacular save, pushing the ball onto the crossbar after a touch from Engels. The rebound was cleared, and the match ended 1‑1. West Ham’s assistant coach Rui Pedro Silva received a booking for his protests, and Engels was cautioned for stamping on the penalty spot.
The draw leaves West Ham a point behind Rangers, who now sit on top of the Championship table. With the season still in its early stages, the Hammers will look to regain momentum in their next fixtures, while Rangers will aim to extend their lead and keep the pressure on the rest of the league.