Despite dominating every statistical category, West Ham were forced to settled for a 1-1 draw against Queen Park Rangers at Upton Park. Loic Remy scored in his first match for QPR, but Joe Cole equalized for the Irons in the second half.
West Ham United vs. Queens Park Rangers: Final score 1-1, Wasteful Irons settle for a draw
West Ham did basically everything right except taking advantage of their chances as they were held to a draw by Queen Park Rangers
Clive Rose
West Ham got off to a fast start but were unable to take advantage of their chances. In the 6th minute Mohamed Diame sent a perfectly placed cross right across the face of goal but none of his teammates went for it and it was cleared away. On the ensuing corner, Winston Reid headed down the initial ball to Kevin Nolan whose shot from close range was cleared off the line by Júlio César with a great reflex save with his foot.
West Ham continued to control play but were undone by a great bit of play between Adel Tarrabt and new QPR signing Loic Remy in the 14th minute. Tarrabt was allowed to sit in space in the midfield and sent a ball past the high West Ham defensive line to Remy who gave Jussi Jaaskelainen no time to settle and beat the keeper with a low shot to the right corner of the goal. Not a bad start for QPR's record signing Remy who opened his account less than 20 minutes in to his first EPL match.
West Ham fans were all over referee Howard Webb in the 30th minute after Marouane Chamakh fought through a hard challenge by Hill (that probably was a penalty) and was then kicked in the legs by Shaun Wright-Phillips (definitely a penalty). Webb wasn't interested in either foul and the Irons fans were less than pleased.
West Ham were all over QPR in the second half, it was like watching Barcelona toy with a lesser opponent minus all the skill, flair and pinpoint passing. Call it a blue collar version of match domination.
In the 53rd minute, basically the entire West Ham roster (not really, but it felt like it) got a shot on goal, or at least attempted one, but every single effort was blocked by César or a QPR player. After a scramble that lasted for what felt like an eternity, the pressure ended after a poor header was sent well over the crossbar.
The Irons finally broke through in the 68th minute. Matt Jarvis, who was all over the place in the second half, sent a cross in to the box that was headed down by Carlton Cole to Joe Cole who was positioned at the far post. Cole wasted no time putting the ball past César, pulling West Ham back even at 1-1. It's Joe Cole's first goal since returning to West Ham, ten years since the last time he scored for the Irons.
Despite all the shots (23) and all the possession (69/31), West Ham weren't able to find a second goal and Sam Allardyce will likely be left with a disappointed feeling after his team essentially dropped two points at home. For QPR, it's another positive result and a point that could end up helping them survive the relegation battle.
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