Bowen blows penalty chance in West Ham derby draw

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Bowen had pulled the Hammers level in the 70th minute after QPR had taken the lead via a controversial penalty in the first half.

But having won a penalty of its own late in the game, Bowen was unable to complete the job as Pierce Charles first saved Bowen's effort before rising in a flash to push Arne Engels's header from the rebound on the post before the ball was cleared to safety.

A slow West Ham start was punished in the 18th minute as QPR was awarded a controversial penalty.

Tomas Soucek – making his first appearance of the season – gave the ball away and recovered possession just outside the box, but the referee awarded a spot-kick.

Nicolas Madsen coolly guided his penalty into the bottom-right corner, sending Mads Hermansen the wrong way.

Bowen scored the equaliser by firing home a rebound after his initial shot was blocked, but he could not do the same from the penalty spot late in the game as the scores ended level.

West Ham would have leapfrogged Swansea City to lead the EFL Championship with a win but will now be looking over its shoulders during the rest of the weekend's action.

"We started well, but the first half was not good; the second half was better. We had chances to win the game," West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo said after the game.

"We expect much more; we have the quality to do much better.

"QPR are a good side, well-organised, good players, but everyone who saw the game will think there was one team who deserved to win the game.

"Two points got away; let's try to perform better and get a better result."

On Bowen's penalty miss, he added: "Credit to the keeper; it was two incredible saves."

Soucek, playing for the first time since recovering from an ankle injury sustained at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, was seen with a look of disbelief on his face after the QPR penalty was awarded.

And in his post-match interview, he revealed the referee admitted he had made the wrong decision.

"It's tough to take; I am disappointed," Soucek said. "I was so happy I won the challenge; from my perspective, it's a massive mistake.

"I saw it [afterwards] inside, and it's even worse than I thought, but I can't change that.

"I asked to speak to [the referee], but he wouldn't speak – after the game, he told me he was wrong."

Charles impressed for QPR, having the second-most touches (55) and making four saves, helping the team earn a point that moved them up to fifth in the table.

"It's just a blur," he said. "I work on it every day, and it paid off at the end of the day, and I'm just happy to get the point.

"I'm on a bit of a roll at the minute, but it can change at any point, so I have to stay focused."