West Ham 1-1 QPR: Charles’ stunning double save denies Bowen late penalty

QPR goalkeeper Pierce Charles produced a remarkable double save in stoppage time to deny West Ham United victory and a return to the top of the Championship as the London derby ended in a dramatic 1-1 draw at the London Stadium.

The visitors took the lead in controversial fashion after 18 minutes. Tomas Soucek, making his first appearance of the season, lost possession and then appeared to win the ball cleanly from Paul Smyth just outside the area, but referee Ruebyn Ricardo pointed to the spot. Nicolas Madsen stayed calm and rolled the penalty into the bottom corner, sending Mads Hermansen the wrong way.

West Ham laboured for long periods against a well-organised QPR side and offered little threat until the final half-hour. Jarrod Bowen finally sparked the home side into life, equalising in the 70th minute. The captain’s initial shot was blocked but he reacted sharply to fire the rebound home for his seventh goal of the season – West Ham’s first effort on target.

The Hammers poured forward after the equaliser and Charles was forced into further fine saves from Joel Piroe and Bowen. Then, deep into added time, Amadou Mbengue tugged Pablo’s shirt inside the area and Ricardo awarded a clear penalty. Bowen stepped up, only for Charles – on loan from Manchester City – to dive low to his left and keep the spot-kick out before springing up to tip Arne Engels’ follow-up over the bar in astonishing fashion.

The point left West Ham second in the table while QPR climbed to fifth, extending their unbeaten away record this season. For Nuno Espírito Santo’s side it was a missed opportunity after a sluggish return from the international break; for Julien Stéphan’s Rangers it was a hard-earned and memorable result earned through grit and one outstanding piece of goalkeeping.