OPINION
West Bromwich Albion produced another late show as they bagged a stoppage time winner to overcome Queens Park Rangers 3-2 in a topsy-turvy encounter at Loftus Road on Tuesday night.
Jefferson Montero opened the scoring for the Baggies with his first goal for the club, before Luke Freeman drew the hosts level. Jacob Murphy then put West Brom back in front, only for Tomer Hemed to equalise once again from the spot. However, Jake Livermore’s 94th minute winner settled matters for the visitors.
Who knows how big these extra two points will prove to be in the context of West Brom’s season, but on Tuesday night it feels like a massive result for Darren Moore’s side.
As usual there is plenty to be gleaned from the game, and This is Futbol has rounded up three things that can be learned from the Baggies’ late win over QPR.
Harper makes big impact off the bench
There were many supporters who found Rekeem Harper’s exclusion to the substitutes bench bizarre considering his fine recent form for the club. However, it appears as if Moore wanted to give him a well-deserved rest.
He was needed in the second half, though, and he rose to the occasion in fine fashion. Playing in a more advanced role than usual, he ensured he was in the thick of things straight away, pushing his team forward and causing trouble for the QPR backline.
It was his ridiculous back heel that put Mason Holgate in position to cross for Livermore to turn in the winning goal. It was a razor sharp ball in from Holgate, but the goal wouldn’t have been possible without Harper setting the right back free.
Woeful Johansen deservedly hauled off
Midfielder Stefan Johansen had a horrible night in what was an extremely lacklustre performance from the Norwegian. He is supposed to have real pedigree at this level from his time at Fulham, but that was nowhere in evidence on Tuesday.
He was sloppy on the ball and gave it away on numerous occasions, including in the build up to QPR’s first goal. That carelessness in possession simply isn’t good enough from a player of his stature, even if he wasn’t helped by Ahmed Hegazi’s poor pass to him.
Even going forward, which is supposed to be his strong suit, the Cottagers loanee offered next to nothing. He was deservedly hauled off in the second half after a very mediocre showing.
Holgate the main man at right back
As mentioned Holgate was a crucial part of West Brom coming away from this game with all three points. In the 94th minute, with the game seemingly at a stalemate, he was the one pushing on from the back to try and make a difference.
Huge credit has to go to him for the way he has adapted to life at the Hawthorns. He has instantly made the right back position his own and is a huge upgrade on the right hand side of the defence for the Baggies.
The youngster looks likely to be a crucial player for Moore’s team down the stretch this season, and his game-changing contribution here only emphasises that fact.