Queens Park Rangers 2 Charlton Athletic 2

If a week ago a 2-2 draw felt like a loss, then yesterday’s felt like victory. It was a roller coaster game to watch for the close to 3,000 Addicks and for 20 first half minutes most of them would’ve wished they were Christmas shopping.

Defensively we were all over the shop. Rangers scored early after Sarr sliced a clearance directly into the path of Cameron. After that it could and should have been at least two or three more. Dillon Phillips kept us in it, and one save when Bermudian Nahki Wells was through on goal with only another QPR anywhere near him was beyond belief.

That golden chance was the fault of Ben Purrington and Bowyer was quick to change it subbing him off for Pearce and switching to three at the back. This was on 27 minutes and before that Bow had already been forced into bringing on Albie Morgan for the injured Leko.

It instantly got better after that and at half time feelings were that we’d been bloody lucky to still be in it, but there were some roots of improvement, at least offensively.

Albie Morgan and especially Alfie Doughty were influential in driving the Addicks on in search of a 2nd half equalizer and that came in the form of who else but Lyle Taylor, who very purposely redirected Morgan’s shot into the net. There has been a lot said of Taylor this week, but ignore his social media persona and watch his face and reaction to our goals yesterday.

The joy was short-lived however as QPR went back in front when Pugh stabbed home and I must admit I thought that was it even though Taylor hit the bar and Morgan had a shot wide. It was end to end and Rangers also could have put the game out of sight.

Then cue pantomime hero and villain Naby Sarr, who had been thrown up front for injury time. With seconds remaining a Dillon Phillips free-kick just inside their half was lofted forward and got an inadvertent flick on by a home shirt. It fell perfectly into Sarr’s path who finished like Mbappe in front of delirious Addicks.

Defensively we were often hopeless and a fast improving Leko joins the walking wounded. We despairingly wait for the club’s sale to be approved and nervously we look over our shoulders in the table.

But, what a moment of sheer joy yesterday, one we should all take with us into Christmas. Is this now the corner that we can finally turn?

Addicks at an exultant Loftus Road: Drinking During the Game; Doctor Kish;
Bow: “Hopefully that’s the change in luck for us that we need.”
Elsewhere: A revitalized Barnsley stopped Millwall in their tracks at The Den with a late winner, Luton lost at home to Swansea not quite as late and Huddersfield beat Forest 2-1. Reading convincingly beat Derby 3-0, likewise Hull over Birmingham.
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