Livermore late show downs QPR

BACK in August, West Brom inflicted QPR’s worst defeat for 31 years when they humiliated Steve McClaren’s side by a 7- 1 scoreline at the Hawthorns. Fuelled by a desire for revenge, the return fixture was always likely to be a more serious test of West Brom’s promotion credentials and so it proved.

On this occasion, there was no demolition but the nature of this victory will feel equally satisfying.

As two points appeared to be slipping from West Brom’s grasp, Jake Livermore swept in a Mason Holgate cross in the 94th minute to move them within a point of the promotion places. Twice Darren Moore’s side took the lead and twice QPR refused to lie down, equalising in the first half through Luke Freeman and then through a Tomer Hemed penalty.

The last- gasp winner primes West Brom perfectly ahead of crucial fixtures against Sheffield United and Leeds.

‘We kept our heads up and showed great character,’ Moore said.

The visitors took the lead when Jefferson Montero struck inside five minutes.

Yet QPR equalised through Freeman, only for West Brom to regain the initiative early in the second half as Murphy fired low into the corner. But QPR rallied once more before Livermore’s final flourish.