QPR 2-2 Stoke

by Tashan Deniran-Alleyne, at Loftus Road

Queens Park Rangers rescued a point at home to Stoke City on Saturday thanks to a spectacular late free-kick from Niko Kranjcar to deny Mark Hughes a win on his return to the club he guided to survival two years ago.

The Welshman was back at the West London club for the first time since his departure in 2012 and was greeted with boos but will have been more upset that his current side were twice pegged back in the 2-2 draw at Loftus Road.

Hughes’s side were good value for their 12th minute lead, scored by Mame Biram Diouf who nodded home from close range after Peter Crouch had climbed above Rio Ferdinand to knock down a Victor Moses cross.

The Potters were unfortunate not to add to the one-goal lead on numerous occasions during an impressive opening half hour where Crouch, Moses and Diouf all caused havoc for Ferdinand and company with the forwards all going close.

Kranjcar curled a long range inches wide of the far post then just before the break against the run of play, his corner brought his side back on level terms, as Steven Caulker’s header was deflected into the net by Crouch who tried to clear the ball off the line.

The visitors retook the lead five minutes after the interval when Crouch atoned for his part in the equaliser to smash home a first-time effort after great work again down the left hand side from the impressive Moses.

Erik Pieters and Steven N’Zonzi both spurned great chances to wrap up the game within minutes of each other as the vulnerability in the home defence was plain for all to see.

As time ticked down the away side looked comfortable but R’s danger man Kranjcar was a constant threat and he punished a needless foul by Steve Sidwell with just two minutes remaining to equalise with a superb free-kick from 20 yards out and earn what may turn out to be a valuable point for QPR.

Redknapp was pleased with the result, especially after the 4-0 thrashing last week to Manchester United.

“The two away games have been difficult,” he said. “We got well beaten, but we have played Tottenham and Manchester United — they are not games where you look at the start of the season and think ‘we are going to go there and get some points.’

“They are very difficult games, and not too many teams are going to go there and win.”