Barclays Premier League

BAGGIES GRAB WIN

Despite being driven back at the start of the game, West Brom maintained their push for a top four spot with another victory against a busy QPR side. Chris Brunt opened the scoring in the first half with a fine left-foot drive. QPR did not react well to going behind and suddenly found themselves on the back foot, but it would get worse for the home team when goalkeeper Robert Green fumbled a simple catch into his own goal. Harry Redknapp opted to reshuffle his pack and it worked to a certain extent as Djibril Cisse gave QPR a life line with a nicely taken goal. However, the West Brom held out for a vital win.

FULL TIME

QPR force a spree of corners, but cannot grab an equaliser and the referee blows for full time.

QPR PUSH

The home side are desperate to get a point today and they are sending everybody forward for one final push.

GOOD SAVE

Another corner and another chance for QPR, but Ben Foster produces a stunning save to claw the ball away from goal with Clint Hill gutted to be denied.

WEST BROM SUBSTITUTION

Gabriel Tamas comes on to help protect the West Brom lead. James Morrison makes way.

YELLOW CARD

Stephane Mbia goes in with a poor tackle and is the first player to go into the book at Loftus Road today.

GREAT HEADER

Stephane Mbia sends in a fine ball looking for Djibril Cisse, who has just drifted off the back of the defender, but Gareth McAuley manages to stretch and clear with a fine header.

WEST BROM PRESSURE

The away side have won a series of corners in a row. QPR now look to be hanging on.

WEST BROM SUBSTITUTION

Shane Long is on for Romelu Lukaku.

QPR ON TOP

All of a sudden QPR have taken control of this game as West Brom's coolness has evaporated. The away side are now giving the ball away and struggling to retain possession.

LATE KICK OFF

Remember folks, this game kicked off some 15 minutes late so we still have 20 minutes left to play. QPR have plenty of time to grab an equaliser.

GOOAALL!!

West Brom could regret all those missed chances as QPR have a lifeline thanks to Djibril Cisse. Stephane Mbia bursts through and feeds Cisse, who lifts the ball over the onrushing Ben Foster.

GREAT SAVE

Romelu Lukaku is sent through on goal and has all the time in the world, but Robert Green saves with his feet.

QPR DOUBLE SUBSTITUTION

Junior Hoilett comes on for Fabio, whilst Alejandro Faurlin is replaced by Samba Diakite.

WEST BROM BREAK

A great chance for the away side to break as Billy Jones intercepts a pass. It is four against four and Romelu Lukaku takes it past Alejandro Faurlin, only for the midfielder to haul the striker down.

GREAT SAVE

Only moments after Romelu Lukaku slices a cross from a promising position, he is again given too much room. The striker plays a one-two with James Morrison and fires at goal, only to see Robert Green produce a stunning save.

QPR STRUGGLING

The home side look completely shell-shocked after that Robert Green gift and West Brom have taken control of this game. You have the fancy the Baggies to score more.

GOOAALL!!

There is a late Christmas present for West Brom as Robert Green comes to claim a simple catch, but he fumbles the ball into the back of his own net. Bizarre. That is the easiest goal the Baggies will score for a while.

FREE HEADER

Stephane Mbia has a big chance as no West Brom player picks him up from Adel Taarabt's corner, but the midfielder manages to miss not just the header but the rebound too.

EARLY CHANCE

West Brom have an early chance as Romelu Lukaku is played in on goal, but the striker is stretching and cannot get any pace on the ball. The striker's prod is scooped up by Robert Green.

SECOND HALF

We are back under way.

BRUNT FIRES BAGGIES AHEAD

QPR may have made all the early running, but it was West Brom who finished the half the stronger as their confidence grew following a fine Chris Brunt strike. The midfielder burst onto a knock-back from Romelu Lukaku and rifled the ball home with his left foot. Following the goal West Brom took complete control, although they had a minor scare on the verge of half time when Clint Hill headed just wide from a corner. Harry Redknapp will need some inspirational words at half time as the confidence has drained away from his side and the livewire Adel Taarabt seems to have his mind on other things.

HALF TIME

That is the end of the first half.

HILL!

Liam Ridgewell gives away a corner and Clint Hill comes flying through to meet the deadball delivery from Adel Taarabt, but he can only steer his header wide of the goal.

GREAT TACKLE

Adel Taarabt is not having the best of days as again he looks to be sent racing clear, but Jonas Olsson stays with him and wins the ball.

FAURLIN DOWN

Alejandro Faurlin has gone down with an injury after yet another heavy challenge.

WIDE

QPR are awarded a soft free kick and it should be ideal for Adel Taarabt, but the forward sends the ball wide. I'm not sure AC Milan will be too impressed with that.

WEST BROM SUBSTITUTION

No, it is not just pride - unless it is found in your hamstring - as Goran Popov limps off and is replaced by Liam Ridgewell.

BAD MISTAKE

Goran Popov gives the ball away and Jamie Mackie escapes into the penalty area, but Gareth McAuley covers well and clears for a corner. Popov is now down with an injury - or is that just pride?

GOOD SAVE

QPR look to strike back instantly, but Ben Foster is alive to the danger and palms the ball wide of the post.

GOOAALL!!

It is completely against the run of play, but Chris Brunt has given the Baggies the lead. Romelu Lukaku finds Brunt, who runs onto the ball beautifully to deliver a left foot strike, low and into the bottom corner.

LUKAKU QUIET

Romelu Lukaku, the striker on loan from Chelsea, is not having the best of days. The big man is struggling to get into the game and on the rare occasions that he gets the ball, he is failing to find a teammate. West Brom need to get other players closer to him.

BIG CHANCE

Billy Jones is beaten too easily and Jamie Mackie has a glorious chance, but Jonas Olsson does enough to put the striker off and the ball flies the wrong side of the post.

WELL WIDE

West Brom manage to work the ball to Youssouf Mulumbu in space and the midfielder takes the chance to shoot, but it is never troubling Robert Green in the QPR goal.

FERDINAND DOWN

QPR centre back Anton Ferdinand drops to the floor as West Brom look to break, but the referee pulls the game back so the defender can get treatment.

WEST BROM HOLD ON

It has all been about QPR so far this game. The home side have been energetic and they are trying to release Djibril Cisse at every opportunity. However, the Baggies have defended well so far.

FOSTER CLEARS

More danger for West Brom. Shaun Wright-Phillips puts the ball into the box and Jamie Mackie flicks it towards goal, but Ben Foster reacts quickly to punch the ball clear.

TOO HEAVY

West Brom's defence get caught coming up and Djibril Cisse is very close to getting onto a through ball, but it just manages to run through to Ben Foster.

TAARABT!

Djibril Cisse gets in behind the West Brom defence and backheels it into the path of Adel Taarabt, who slices a shot wide of goal. However, Shaun Wright-Phillips is very close to getting on the end of it. Early warning for the Baggies.

QPR START WELL

Harry Redknapp's strong words have had an instant impact on the starting eleven as they are immediately at the West Brom players and putting them under a lot of pressure.

KICK OFF

We are under way at Loftus Road.

WEST BROM TEAM NEWS

Marc-Antoine Fortuné is paired up front with Romelu Lukaku so Shane Long, Peter Odemwingie, and Markus Rosenberg kick their heels on the bench. Billy Jones retains his place at right back.

QPR TEAM NEWS

Adel Taarabt starts for QPR despite rumours linking him with a move to AC Milan. Djibril Cisse and Stephane Mbia – two players who were thought to be on the end of Harry Redknapp's wrath – get a chance to prove a point.

KICK OFF DELAYED

With both teams stuck in Boxing Day traffic, the referee has decided to delay the game by fifteen minutes so we shall be kicking off at 15:15.

RESILENT WEST BROM

Despite a dip in form of late, West Brom continue to defy the expectation of a hasty drop down the table as they sit level on points with fourth. However, if they are to keep challenging for that Champions League spot then they are going to need to have a good Christmas period and a win at struggling QPR is a must.

REDKNAPP'S RISK

Sure Harry Redknapp's slamming of his players may pay off with improved attitudes, but it comes with a great risk of upsetting players with quality that can get them out of trouble. Already it seems that Adel Taarabt is willing to desert the sinking ship, but they will need him today if they are to grab a much needed win.

BAGGIES CONTINUE TO LOOK UP

It is an important week for QPR as they look to get their season going and Harry Redknapp has made his feelings clear about the poor attitude of some of his squad, but will he get the reaction he both wants and needs? West Brom bounced back with a win over Norwich at the weekend and must fancy themselves to get something from the disarray at Loftus Road.