Queens Park Rangers 2-1 Wigan Athletic: Leon Balogun's header helps leaders hang on to top spot - BBC Sport Homepage

Accessibility links

Skip to contentAccessibility HelpBBC AccountNotificationsMore menu Search BBC Search BBC HomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBeebiesCBBCFoodHomeNewsSportReelWorklifeTravelFutureCultureTVWeatherSoundsClose menu BBCSport All SportAll Sport SAT 22 Oct 2022ChampionshipQPRQueens Park Rangers2WiganWigan Athletic1Field (12' minutes), Balogun (24' minutes)FTHT 2-1Broadhead (22' minutes)Johansen (12' minutes, 24' minutes)AssistsKeane (22' minutes)

Queens Park Rangers 2-1 Wigan Athletic Leon Balogun' s header helps leaders hang on to top spot

Last updated on 4 hours ago4 hours ago.From the section Championshipcomments81Leon Balogun celebrates his first goal for QPR QPR survived second-half pressure to beat Wigan at Loftus Road and stay top of the Championship. After Lyndon Dikes and Ilias Chair had tested Latics goalkeeper Ben Amos, Sam Field headed in Stefan Johansen's corner at the back post to reward Rangers' dominant start. Nathan Broadhead's volley levelled matters against the run of play, but the hosts were back in front within minutes when Leon Balogun powered a header into the top corner from another Johansen corner. Broadhead had a second goal ruled out and the Latics created a number of chances in the second half, with Josh Magennis hooking a shot against the post late on, however the hosts held on.Relive Saturday's EFL actionChampionship tables Buoyed by boss Michael Beale's decision to stay put and reject an approach from managerless Premier League side Wolves, Rangers looked to be cruising to a fifth win in six matches. But after Johansen limped off injured shortly before half-time, Rangers were made to work hard for the points. Jason Kerr's curling effort dipped over the bar and Will Keane headed over a good chance from Max Power's dangerous cross. But Beale's side survived to claim a win which keeps them top on goal difference from Blackburn, while a sixth defeat in eight drops the Latics to 19th and within three points of the relegation places. The game had looked to be playing out true to form when Field registered his first goal since February 2021 after 12 minutes, only for Broadhead to stun Loftus Road with Wigan's first serious foray into the home half. Johansen had soon added his second assist of the afternoon - and his sixth of the season - to restore order, yet Broadhead almost levelled for the second time in five minutes, only to see his effort ruled out for handball in the build-up. QPR boss Michael Beale told BBC Radio London 94.9: "The people really close to me know what I want to do here, they know what I'm trying to do. I'm learning to be a manager. It's the first time we've worked together. It's a young group and we're growing. "I told them on Thursday morning that it's business as usual, and they were, if not the first, the next set of people to find out I was staying. "The Premier League is something we all want to go to, the players, the staff, coaches and managers. We all want to work at the top level, but it's about the right opportunity at the right moment and hopefully that moment can be for QPR in the not-too-distant future. (On links to Aston Villa): "I'm flattered to be linked with a Premier League job, but I don't think I can be any more clear on Thursday about my stance and the feelings I have for the people behind the scenes here."Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text

Line-ups

QPR

Formation 4-2-3-11Dieng27Laird26Balogun5Clarke-Salter22Paal6Johansen15Field30Armstrong47Iroegbunam10Chair9Dykes1Dieng27Laird26Balogun5Clarke-Salter22Paal6Johansen Substituted forDozzellat 45+3'minutes15Field30ArmstrongSubstituted forAmosat 45'minutes47IroegbunamSubstituted forDickieat 65'minutes10ChairSubstituted forRichardsat 89'minutesBooked at 90mins9DykesSubstituted forBonneat 90'minutes

Substitutes

2Kakay4Dickie8Amos13Archer17Dozzell18Bonne20Richards

Wigan

Formation 3-5-212Amos15Kerr5Whatmough16Tilt27Darikwa8Power6Cousins18Shinnie11McClean10Keane20Broadhead12Amos15Kerr5Whatmough Substituted forEdmonds-Greenat 84'minutes16TiltBooked at 18mins27DarikwaSubstituted forAasgaardat 72'minutes8Power6CousinsSubstituted forNaylorat 72'minutes18ShinnieBooked at 90mins11McClean10KeaneSubstituted forFletcherat 79'minutes20BroadheadSubstituted forMagennisat 79'minutes

Substitutes

1Jones4Naylor21Bennett23Fletcher25Edmonds-Green28Magennis30AasgaardReferee:Dean WhitestoneAttendance:16,353

Match Stats

Home TeamQPRAway TeamWiganPossessionHome46%Away54%ShotsHome9Away11Shots on TargetHome4Away2CornersHome5Away4FoulsHome10Away6

Live Text

Post update

Match ends, Queens Park Rangers 2, Wigan Athletic 1.90'+7'

Full Time

Second Half ends, Queens Park Rangers 2, Wigan Athletic 1.90'+6'

Post update

Offside, Queens Park Rangers. Sam Field tries a through ball, but Macauley Bonne is caught offside.90'+6'

Booking

Graeme Shinnie (Wigan Athletic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.90'+6'

Post update

Foul by Graeme Shinnie (Wigan Athletic).90'+6'

Post update

Taylor Richards (Queens Park Rangers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.90'+3'

Booking

Taylor Richards (Queens Park Rangers) is shown the yellow card.90'+3'

Post update

Rarmani Edmonds-Green (Wigan Athletic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.90'+3'

Post update

Foul by Sam Field (Queens Park Rangers).90'

Substitution

Substitution, Queens Park Rangers. Macauley Bonne replaces Lyndon Dykes.89'

Substitution

Substitution, Queens Park Rangers. Taylor Richards replaces Ilias Chair.89'

Post update

Foul by Ashley Fletcher (Wigan Athletic).89'

Post update

Robert Dickie (Queens Park Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.86'

Post update

Josh Magennis (Wigan Athletic) hits the bar with a left footed shot from very close range. Assisted by Graeme Shinnie following a fast break.86'

Post update

Thelo Aasgaard (Wigan Athletic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.86'

Post update

Foul by Ilias Chair (Queens Park Rangers).84'

Substitution

Substitution, Wigan Athletic. Rarmani Edmonds-Green replaces Jack Whatmough because of an injury.81'

Post update

Attempt saved. Ashley Fletcher (Wigan Athletic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Max Power.80'

Post update

Graeme Shinnie (Wigan Athletic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.80'

Post update

Foul by Ilias Chair (Queens Park Rangers).Page 1 of 5rewindpreviousNavigate to the next pagenextNavigate to the last pageforwardcommentsView Comments81

Comments

Join the conversation

To use comments you will need to have JavaScript enabled. 81 commentsF

Comment posted by fletch today at 22 39fletch

22:39I’m a Leeds fan but I think QPR have gained a lot of well wishers for promotion this season. Beale is highly regarded as a manager and it’s nice to see loyalty like he has shown. I hope they do well. Hopefully we don’t swap places31K

Comment posted by Keepcalm today at 21 07Keepcalm

21:07Wigan looked decent today on another day we could have lost that game ,But we didn’t and that’s the mark of a good team ,well done Rsss20Removed commentRemoved commentR

Comment posted by Richard Jeffreys today at 20 27Richard Jeffreys

20:27What are You doing Wigan?00L

Comment posted by Leslie Thornton today at 20 21Leslie Thornton

20:21Some effort by QPR to be doing this week despite being handicapped by Donkey Dykes on a weekly basis. Not hard to see why he plays for Scotland, that's for sure.09N

Reply posted by No chance today at 20 26No chance

20:26to Leslie Thornton"Some effort by QPR to be doing this week despite being handicapped by Donkey Dykes on a weekly basis. Not hard to see why he plays for Scotland, that's for sure."No chance replied: yeah 4 goals in 5 games. We need more 'donkeys' like this90More replies (1)downF

Comment posted by freespeechisFOSHOdead today at 20 12freespeechisFOSHOdead

20:12I thought akin balogun was at Arsenal???02C

Comment posted by Chaz today at 19 43Chaz

19:43Often a tight one against Wigan. Good sign that rangers can scrape a win when the opposition is really getting at them. We had the rub of the green last season in these tight games… until the last fifth of the season . Let’s hope we can keep it going a bit longer this season! Must admit i’d prefer to be top 6 and chasing rather than on top and looking down… but that’s just me!00Q

Comment posted by QPR Ian today at 18 59QPR Ian

18:59Another valuable 3 points for THE R'SSSSSSSSSSS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!70S

Comment posted by Sue Denim today at 18 39Sue Denim

18:39We know what you are wigan13S

Reply posted by Sue Denim today at 18 44Sue Denim

18:44to Sue Denim"We know what you are wigan"Sue Denim replied: The player that plays with fire WILL get burnt23More replies (6)downW

Comment posted by Walls today at 18 33Walls

18:33When did Ben Amos transfer to QPR?????14C

Reply posted by Crumpy247 today at 18 51Crumpy247

18:51to Walls"When did Ben Amos transfer to QPR?????"Crumpy247 replied: About 4 years ago13J

Comment posted by johnyandthecat today at 18 30johnyandthecat

18:30Great week QPR and Michael Beale. You can build a lot on foundations of integrity and loyalty. You're my new 2nd team and I hope you go all the way. Best wishes from a Wolves fan 342R

Reply posted by rss today at 18 57rss

18:57to johnyandthecat"Great week QPR and Michael Beale. You can build a lot on foundations of integrity and loyalty. You're my new 2nd team and I hope you go all the way. Best wishes from a Wolves fan "rss replied: Cheers! One of my best mates is Wolves, so I always look out for their scores. Hope you stay up!71More replies (1)downC

Comment posted by Creese today at 18 27Creese

18:27Wigan supporters here - well played Queens Park Rangers.221B

Reply posted by blootoofbloo today at 18 55blootoofbloo

18:55to Creese"Wigan supporters here - well played Queens Park Rangers."blootoofbloo replied: Your not a wiganer!18More replies (1)downL

Comment posted by lofty66 today at 18 14lofty66

18:14Come on you rrrs another win be it a bit squeaky bum but still top90A

Reply posted by Andrew JG_8921 today at 18 30Andrew JG_8921

18:30to lofty66"Come on you rrrs another win be it a bit squeaky bum but still top"Andrew JG_8921 replied: "Squeaky bum". Yeah ok. ?21B

Comment posted by blootoofbloo today at 18 13blootoofbloo

18:13Just an observation and I wonder if anyone agrees , the standard in this league is not what it was as clubs have reigned in their spending post covid and because of financial instability in the country , so those that come down from premiere league are more likely to go back up unless a team with good players that are well organised can remain consistent through the season can spoil it for them .58N

Comment posted by nicl today at 18 04nicl

18:04Need to get your work experience writer to try and bit harder. Sam Field did not head the opener.30S

Reply posted by Stan and Gerry today at 18 29Stan and Gerry

18:29to nicl"Need to get your work experience writer to try and bit harder. Sam Field did not head the opener."Stan and Gerry replied: And Ben Amos is not the QPR keeper31B

Comment posted by blootoofbloo today at 18 04blootoofbloo

18:04The BBC write up is pityful31O

Reply posted by obby more today at 18 18obby more

18:18to blootoofbloo"The BBC write up is pityful"obby more replied: Pitiful even ..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!42More replies (4)downD

Comment posted by Did I Say That today at 17 51Did I Say That

17:51Beale is in the honeymoon phase and it won't last. At best they'll be in the play offs. QPR were lucky today330A

Reply posted by Alan today at 17 59Alan

17:59to Did I Say That"Beale is in the honeymoon phase and it won't last. At best they'll be in the play offs. QPR were lucky today"Alan replied: Now that's just bitter...130More replies (5)downM

Comment posted by mypubteamisbetterthanyourpubteam today at 17 46mypubteamisbetterthanyourpubteam

17:46Arthur Longbottom, Keith Rutter,....we salute your memory50J

Comment posted by jajc today at 17 38jajc

17:38A much better Team selection and it seems improved performance. A glimmer of hope ask we slowly sink lower in the League.30More commentsBack to topunknown

Scores Results & Fixtures

Saturday 22nd October 2022

BlackpoolBlackpool4PrestonPreston North End2FTBlackburnBlackburn Rovers2BirminghamBirmingham City1FTMiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough0HuddersfieldHuddersfield Town0FTMillwallMillwall2West BromWest Bromwich Albion1FTQPRQueens Park Rangers2WiganWigan Athletic1FTReadingReading2Bristol CityBristol City0FTRotherhamRotherham United2HullHull City4FTSheff UtdSheffield United2NorwichNorwich City2FTStokeStoke City0CoventryCoventry City2FTSunderlandSunderland2BurnleyBurnley4FTView all Championship scores

As It Stands

TeamPWDLFAGDPts1QPR1693425178302Blackburn17100722184303Burnley16781291514294Sheff Utd16754261610265Millwall1682622193266Norwich1674523185257Reading168171923-4258Luton1566320146249Swansea157352022-22410Preston175751114-32211Rotherham15564181712112Bristol City176382526-12113Sunderland16556212012014Birmingham16556161512015Watford155551920-12016Hull166282031-112017Stoke165471720-31918Blackpool165472125-41919Wigan165471724-71920Cardiff155371217-51821Middlesbrough164571921-21722Coventry134451214-21623West Brom162862022-21424Huddersfield153391622-612View full Championship table

Top Stories

Video

Watch Match of the Day

LiveLive

US GP qualifying build-up as Red Bull announce death of co-owner Mateschitz

LiveLiveFrom the section Formula 1

Last-gasp Casemiro earns Man Utd point at Chelsea

3habout 3 hours agoFrom the section Football1336 Comments

Elsewhere on the BBC

' It was absolutely reminiscent of Hillsborough'

Panorama investigates events as they unfolded at the 2022 UEFA Champions League final in Paris

Have a thrilling movie night tonight

Check out the star-studded selection of films to watch on BBC iPlayer now

' What I discovered surprised me'

The ex-England footballer Paul Merson goes on a reflective walk to confront his demons

Also in Sport

Brilliant ' hot dog' assist as Aussies thrash Scots

New Zealand' s Phillips takes superb diving catch

' Thigh arm bat stumps ' - Warner' s unlucky dismissal

How well do you know India v Pakistan T20 history

Valieva skates about scandal that is far from over

Watch the trailer for BBC' s new Messi documentary

Meet Australia' s World Cup hero Josh Addo-Carr

Gerrard sacked - who might replace him at Aston Villa

Best shots from Stirling' s 66 as Ireland knock out Windies

' England aim to dazzle again as World Cup ramps up'

Five things we learned from new BBC Messi film

Cardinals' Wilson scores acrobatic touchdown

' Gerrard sack bitter blow to pride & reputation'

BBC Sport's Phil McNulty analyses Steve Gerrard's time as Aston Villa boss after he was sacked on Thursday evening.

' What a play ' Judge makes brilliant sliding catch for Yankees

Aaron Judge makes a brilliant sliding catch for the New York Yankees during their 4-2 defeat by the Houston Astros in the MLB play-offs.

How Xhaka emerged from ' dark place' at Arsenal

How did midfielder Granit Xhaka get Arsenal fans back onside after a difficult three years?

Is ' front-foot' Fernandes back to his Man Utd best

Explore the BBC

HomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBeebiesCBBCFoodHomeNewsSportReelWorklifeTravelFutureCultureTVWeatherSounds