West Ham’s penalty pain costs them top spot in Championship after QPR draw
West Ham United missed the chance to take the top spot in the Championship after a 1-1 draw against QPR. The match was marked by a controversial penalty decision and a late double save by QPR goalkeeper Pierce Charles.
Why it matters
Reflects the impact of officiating and the lack of VAR technology on competitive sports outcomes.
Pierce Charles makes the first of a dramatic double save to deny Jarrod Bowen from the spot in added time. Pierce Charles makes the first of a dramatic double save to deny Jarrod Bowen from the spot in added time. Championship West Ham’s penalty pain costs them top spot in Championship after QPR draw Press Association Fri 9 Oct 2026 22.19 BST Last modified on Sat 10 Oct 2026 07.36 BST Share Prefer the Guardian on Google The QPR goalkeeper Pierce Charles made a stunning double save from a Jarrod Bowen penalty in stoppage time to secure a 1-1 draw at West Ham. The 21-year-old, who kept four clean sheets and saved a penalty for Northern Ireland over the international break, pulled off more heroics to deny the Hammers top spot in the Championship .
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