Bobby Zamora salvaged a 1-1 draw for QPR, but Mark Hughes will be disappointed his team did not take all three points against Everton.
Rs striker cancels out Drenthe's super strike, but Toffees hold on
Bobby Zamora salvaged a 1-1 draw for QPR, but Mark Hughes will be disappointed his team did not take all three points against Everton at Loftus Road.
Royston Drenthe smashed the visitors ahead with a thunderous left-footed effort from 25 yards, but Zamora hit back for Rangers just five minutes later -heading home from Akos Buzsaky's free-kick.
But QPR - desperate for points in their bid for survival - failed to capitalise on a host of chances to win the game.
Buzsaky was the main offender - hitting the post from just two yards out before half-time, and even though Rangers pressed for a winner in the second half, Everton held out.
The Hoops have now won just two of their 14 Premier League matches at Loftus Road and teeter dangerously over the drop zone with a tough-looking batch of fixtures remaining.
There was a tense atmosphere around Loftus Road as the game began with the visitors on the front foot.
Crossbar
Tim Cahill came close to turning Everton's strong start into the opening goal inside four minutes, when a superbly-struck effort rattled the crossbar.
The strike seemed to jolt QPR into life and they came close themselves six minutes later, with a hopeful Buzsaky drive from the edge of the box flicked just wide by Clint Hill.
The centre-back had another opportunity moments later, although he could not keep his header down from a neatly-delivered Buzsaky free-kick.
With QPR enjoying a spell in the ascendancy, referee Kevin Friend frustrated home supporters by not allowing play to continue when Shaun Wright-Phillips was fouled on the edge of the box.
Only Howard's quick reactions prevented Buzsaky's resulting free-kick sneaking in, before Zamora saw a run into the box thwarted by the Everton defence.
Drenthe was looking the Toffees' most dangerous player going forward and, after seeing an audacious drive saved by Paddy Kenny, delivered a free-kick that was almost directed home.
Deadlock
QPR fought back with a Wright-Phillips diving header that went just wide, before Drenthe broke the deadlock in the 31st minute.
Adel Taarabt lost the ball in the middle of the park and when the on-loan Real Madrid midfielder secured possession his fizzing left-foot drive flew in from 30 yards.
However, it was 1-1 five minutes later. Drenthe brought down Taarabt and Buzsaky whipped the free-kick in for Zamora to bundle home from close range off goalkeeper Howard.
The Dutchman was booked for his challenge and was followed into the referee's notebook by team-mate Steven Pienaar shortly afterwards.
Everton were enjoying the lion's share of possession as half-time approached, although both sets of fans seemed more excited by a squirrel that was running around the pitch.
Rebound
Attention turned back to the football as QPR somehow failed to net on the stroke of half-time.
Taarabt fired a shot from the edge of the box that rebounded off the post, Zamora collected the loose ball and squared it for Buzsaky, who hit the post inside the six-yard box and then scuffed the rebound.
QPR started the second period in the same vein and would have taken the lead shortly after the restart had Nedum Onuoha managed to divert a Shaun Derry effort goalwards.
The second half was a scrappier affair, though, and Everton boss David Moyes brought on Leon Osman and Nikica Jelavic in a bid to change things.
Opportunities
Rangers were still having opportunities and a rasping Buzsaky drive was followed by some good play from Taarabt, who burst into the box to strike just across the face of the Everton goal.
Tensions were beginning to rise inside Loftus Road as QPR pressed for a much-needed winner.
Buzsaky stung the palms of Howard as the Hungarian once again took it upon himself to find a way through, before QPR manager Hughes replaced Taarabt with 10 minutes remaining.
Jamie Mackie was the man that came on in his place as QPR went more direct, although that move could not force a winner.
Things could have got worse for QPR as the visitors dominated the four minutes of stoppage-time, although the match ended in a draw.
| Queens Park Rangers |
Team Statistics |
Everton |
| 1 |
Goals |
1 |
| 1 |
1st Half Goals |
1 |
| 5 |
Shots on Target |
2 |
| 12 |
Shots off Target |
5 |
| 5 |
Blocked Shots |
2 |
| 7 |
Corners |
7 |
| 18 |
Fouls |
16 |
| 0 |
Offsides |
3 |
| 1 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 70.4 |
Passing Success |
71.6 |
| 16 |
Tackles |
16 |
| 68.8 |
Tackles Success |
62.5 |
| 49.1 |
Possession |
50.9 |
| 49.9 |
Territorial Advantage |
50.1 |
| 311 |
Total Passes |
320 |
| 25 |
Total Crosses |
22 |
| 168 |
Lost Balls |
173 |
| 40 |
Recoveries |
49 |
| 48.8 |
1st Half Poss. |
51.2 |
| 49.7 |
2nd Half Poss. |
50.3 |
|
