West Ham’s penalty pain costs them top spot in Championship after QPR draw
West Ham were denied the chance to go top of the Championship after a controversial 1-1 draw with QPR. A stunning double save from 21-year-old goalkeeper Pierce Charles denied Jarrod Bowen's stoppage-time penalty, capping a dramatic finish.
The match had pivoted on a hugely controversial first-half penalty against West Ham, when midfielder Tomas Soucek was penalised for fouling Paul Smyth despite replays showing the contact was outside the area and Soucek had won the ball. Nicolas Madsen converted the spot-kick, and although Bowen equalised with a fine finish in the 70th minute, the Championship's lack of VAR technology meant the poor decision stood, leaving the Hammers to rue missed opportunities.
- West Ham miss chance to go top after stoppage-time penalty miss
- Controversial first-half penalty decision lacked VAR review
- QPR goalkeeper makes double save to secure draw
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The Championship is England's second tier of professional football. West Ham and QPR are among the clubs competing this season, with matches directly affecting their league position.
Midfielder Tomas Soucek was penalised for a foul in the first half, resulting in a penalty which QPR's Nicolas Madsen converted. Replays of the incident suggested the contact occurred outside the penalty area and that Soucek had actually won the ball.
The Championship does not currently use VAR technology to review disputed decisions, unlike the Premier League. This meant the controversial penalty decision stood, contributing to West Ham's 1-1 draw and preventing them from moving to the top of the table.