Bees stung by QPR comeback in west London derby

Posted Sunday, November 11, 2018 by PA

QPR scored three times in the space of 10 second-half minutes to beat Brentford 3-2 in the west London derby at Loftus Road.

Neal Maupay put the visitors ahead in this Sky Bet Championship clash midway through the first half with his 12th goal of the season.

But the French striker was carried off on a stretcher in the final seconds of the half – and things got much worse for the Bees after the interval as goals from Massimo Luongo, Joel Lynch and Nahki Wells gave Rangers victory.

Henrik Dalsgaard pulled a goal back for Brentford, who had a second player carried off when Said Benrahma was injured by a challenge from Toni Leistner in the build-up to Dalsgaard’s goal.

The Bees came apart after the loss of the lively Maupay, who pounced to head in the loose ball after goalkeeper Joe Lumley was unable to hold Benrahma’s 22nd-minute shot.

There were worrying scenes when Maupay required several minutes of treatment on the pitch and was given oxygen after going down near the halfway line – seemingly a delayed reaction to being caught in the face in an accidental collision with team-mate Sergi Canos a minute or two earlier. He was eventually carried from the field.

Luongo took advantage of a ricochet in the six-yard box to equalise five minutes into the second half. Luke Freeman’s shot from a tight angle was blocked by the legs of keeper Daniel Bentley but the ball rebounded off Dalsgaard to Luongo, who netted from close range.

Eight minutes later, Canos – who seemed to argue he was impeded by Leistner – could only head Freeman’s left-wing free-kick towards Lynch, who also scored from a couple of yards out.

And on the hour mark, after good work on the right by Pawel Wszolek, Wells got away from Ezri Konsa and fired into the far corner of the net.

Dalsgaard reduced the deficit with nine minutes remaining with a left-footed finish after drifting into the box to collect Romaine Sawyers’ pass.

Thomas Frank’s side pushed for an equaliser but were unable to avoid a fourth defeat in five matches since the Dane took over as boss following Dean Smith’s recent departure for Aston Villa.

A save by Lumley with the score at 1-1 proved to be crucial.

Benrahma went past Angel Rangel but was denied by Lumley at point-blank range and Canos was unable to force home the loose ball.