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Amid euphoric scenes, Charlie Austin walked off the Loftus Road pitch having claimed the match ball following a superb hat-trick on Saturday afternoon.
It sealed a much-needed win that hauled Queens Park Rangers out of the relegation zone.
The QPR faithful had seen a match-winning performance from the player whose goals will be crucial for his side’s survival chances this season.
With four minutes of this hugely enjoyable clash against West Bromwich Albion remaining, the former Burnley striker scored the last of his three goals to secure the win for QPR.
This was after West Brom had taken an early two-goal lead and seemed to have set themselves up for the victory.
“Charlie scores the goals and has been excellent for us but we showed a lot of character,” said his manager Harry Redknapp.
“To come back was fantastic. Everyone talks about Charlie’s goals but his defending is unbelievable.
“Right at the end he was the last man tracking back. That sums his work rate up.”
The club’s immediate task is to fend off any would-be suitors.
Redknapp added: “I don’t get involved in contracts but he’s certainly a player you want to keep.”
West Brom needed the victory to avoid being dragged into the relegation zone. They came into this match having registered just the one win in six matches.
They took an early two-goal lead, through goals from Joleon Lescott and Silvestre Varela. Alan Irvine’s men looked on their way to the three points before squandering it in dramatic fashion.
Austin put away a penalty kick on 24 minutes, before equalising for his side after the interval. The winning goal came with the match looking like it would end with the teams sharing the points.
The West Brom head coach said: “We deserved to win the game and the fact that we didn’t was down to us not defending well at three corners and not being clinical.
“It’s bitterly disappointing to leave with nothing as I would have been disappointed with just a point.”
QPR travel to Arsenal in their next fixture on Boxing Day, with West Brom welcoming Manchester City.
