West Ham Miss Chance To Top Table After Late Penalty Drama Against QPR

A bad penalty decision and a late comeback

West Ham United missed out on going top of the Championship after a 1-1 draw with Queens Park Rangers.

The game started with drama when referee Ruebyn Ricardo awarded QPR a penalty in the first half. Tomás Soucek was penalised for a challenge on Paul Smyth. Replays showed that the tackle was outside the box and Soucek won the ball. Without VAR in the Championship, Nicolas Madsen scored from the spot to put QPR ahead.

Soucek said after the match that the referee admitted his mistake later on. Jarrod Bowen equalised for West Ham in the 70th minute to set up a tense finish.

Late penalty heroics from Pierce Charles

West Ham got a golden chance to win the match in stoppage time. QPR substitute Amadou Mbengue pulled Pablo's shirt inside the box, prompting the referee to point to the spot.

Jarrod Bowen stepped up to take the penalty, but 21 year old QPR goalkeeper Pierce Charles made a brilliant save. He then pushed the rebound from Arne Engels onto the crossbar to keep the score level.

Charles is currently on loan from Manchester City. He came into this match after keeping four clean sheets and saving a penalty for Northern Ireland over the international break.

Managers react to the missed opportunity

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo praised the young goalkeeper for his double save. He also noted that his team has missed two out of three penalties this season and needs to work on improving from the spot.

QPR manager Julien Stephan admitted he had rarely seen a better double save. He praised Charles for his maturity, hard work, and mindset, saying QPR are lucky to have him.