West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Queens Park Rangers: Callum Styles earns point for Baggies

QPR led through a Chris Mepham own goal in the 38th minute which came completely against the run of play.

That lead lasted just three minutes as Styles equalised to extend the Baggies' unbeaten home record to 11 games, while Rangers have yet to lose on their travels this season.

Albion had slightly more of the chances but the Londoners had their fair share of openings too.

Former Manchester United midfielder Toby Collyer and Conor Townsend made their first starts since rejoining Albion and defender Mepham came in to captain the side.

They were three of five changes from Wednesday's 1-0 win at Derby, the same number as the visitors.

Albion forced the early pace and Rabby Nzingoula's wayward shot came off Felix Horn Myhre, diverting the ball closer to goal but wide.

Isaac Price's inswinging corner was punched clear by goalkeeper Pierce Charles on the line as the hosts continued to press for a breakthrough.

Albion thought that had come in the 34th minute.

Aune Heggebo met Collyer's cross with a thunderous rising shot that appeared to smack the crossbar but it had hit the stanchion behind the goal.

Completely against the run of play, Rangers took the lead.

Kwame Poku sent Rumarn Burrell racing clear and he turned his man before forcing Max O'Leary into a diving save, only for the rebound to hit Mepham on the head and bounce into the unguarded net.

Albion levelled in the 41st minute when Styles, who was playing in an unfamiliar right-back role, curled home a low shot from just outside the area for his second goal of the season.

Following the restart, Price went close to putting Albion ahead for the first time, his curling free-kick tipped away by Charles.

Jayson Molumby then nodded a Styles corner a yard wide at the far post.

But they had to be wary of Rangers' threat on the break.

Poku forced O'Leary into a vital flying save after wriggling free in the box to shoot from 12 yards.

At the other end, Mepham's planted header forced Charles into a falling save from Price's corner.

Charles then had to be alert to hold Styles' low free-kick after the full-back been fouled right on the edge of the box.

Rangers threatened again when Burrell's header was smothered by O'Leary at the foot of the post from Harvey Vale's corner.

Substitute Jimmy-Jay Morgan missed the chance to win it for Albion at the death when he blazed over at the far post after heading down Molumby's cross.

"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 (right midfielder). I thought they dealt with it really well."

"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."

What the result means and next fixtures...