Rumarn Burrell continued his prolific run with a decisive brace as Queens Park Rangers beat West Bromwich Albion 3-1 at Loftus Road, a result that nudges the hosts towards the fringes of the play-off picture and deepens the Baggies’ away troubles. Jonathan Varane’s rare goal opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time, Burrell struck midway through the second half and again late on, while in-form striker Aune Heggebo briefly revived hopes of another Albion comeback.
In a contest between two sides who knew victory would move them closer to the Championship’s top six, the quality of the finishing ultimately separated them from an otherwise scrappy, disjointed game. QPR were ruthless in capitalising on defensive errors, West Brom showed flashes of their attacking threat but were again undermined by mistakes on the road, slipping to a sixth successive away defeat – their worst such run since the winter of the 2021-22 season.
Stoppage-time breakthrough after a scrappy opening
The first half unfolded in fits and starts, with the stakes apparently weighing on both teams. Passes went astray, attacking moves broke down early and clear-cut chances were almost entirely absent. It was a cautious, bitty contest that reflected the awareness on both benches that a mistake could carry heavy consequences in the context of the promotion race.