Moore hails West Brom display in last-gasp win at QPR

Posted Wednesday, February 20, 2019 by PA

West Brom boss Darren Moore praised his players for their persistence after a dramatic 3-2 victory at QPR.

Jake Livermore scored in the final seconds at Loftus Road, condemning struggling Rangers to a sixth consecutive Sky Bet Championship defeat.

QPR equalised twice, with Luke Freeman cancelling out Jefferson Montero’s early opener and Tomer Hemed levelling with a penalty after Jacob Murphy had restored Albion’s lead.

Moore said: “I’m really pleased with the players’ attitude, to keep going right until the end.

“They kept at it and got their just rewards. Such are the players, it just felt like it was there for them to go on and get a chance.

“It was great to see Jake pop up in the last seconds. It was a tough night but we kept going and created chances.

“We took the lead twice and they pegged us back twice, but our heads didn’t drop and we kept going.

“Together the group dug that one out of the bag. I’m really pleased for them and it’s a valuable three points.”

The win took fourth-placed Albion to within one point of second-placed Sheffield United ahead of Saturday’s home game against the Yorkshire club.

Moore added: “It’s just about recovering the team again because we go again on Saturday and we look forward to that game.

“Obviously the game’s got a bit of icing on the cake because of where both teams are in the division.

“We know they’re tough opponents and it bodes well for another interesting game.”

QPR manager Steve McClaren was dismayed after his team were again hit with a hammer blow in stoppage time.

They were four down against Birmingham before being denied a point by a last-gasp penalty save and lost at Bristol City after a controversial penalty in the final moments.

McClaren said: “Football can be a cruel game and has been for us in the last few games – 94th minutes have not been good for us.

“We missed a penalty to equalise 4-4, 94 minutes at Bristol where it should never have been a penalty, and tonight 94 minutes. I thought we were going to hold on and deservedly hold on.

“The character and fight of the team is not in question. Yes we’re making mistakes and being punished, and we’re not getting the rub of the green and not getting away with a lot, but the character of the team is there.

“We came back after going 1-0 down after a couple of minutes, were controlling the second half and we make one mistake and it gets punished, yet we have the character to come back to 2-2.

“Then I thought there was only going to be one winner. The players did not deserve that.”