Championship roundup: Birmingham sink Derby, West Brom held by QPR

West Bromwich Albion missed a golden opportunity to reclaim top spot in the EFL Championship standings after being held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Queens Park Rangers at The Hawthorns. Carlos Corberán's side entered the fixture knowing a victory would lift them back above West Ham United following the Hammers' dominant six-goal victory over Wrexham on Friday night. Despite enjoying sustained periods of possession in front of a vocal home crowd, the Baggies struggled to break down a resilient Rangers defensive block during the opening exchanges of this fiercely contested mid-season encounter.

The match sparked into life late in the first half when unfortunate defender Chris Mepham inadvertently turned the ball past his own goalkeeper to hand the visitors a surprise 38th-minute advantage. However, that lead proved remarkably brief as midfielder Callum Styles reacted quickest just three minutes later, sliding home a crucial equalizer that preserved his team's impressive undefeated sequence on home soil, which now stretches to eleven consecutive matches in the division. Styles, a summer acquisition who has quickly established himself as a vital component in Corberán’s tactical system, demonstrated exceptional composure inside a crowded penalty area to restore parity.

While the stalemate extends West Brom's remarkable consistency at The Hawthorns, dropping two points at home will undoubtedly sting as the promotion race intensifies heading into the demanding winter fixture schedule. The Baggies must quickly regroup on the training ground ahead of their next demanding league assignment, where fine margins will ultimately determine whether they can secure an automatic return to the Premier League. Meanwhile, Martí Cifuentes will take immense satisfaction from a disciplined tactical display that secures another valuable point in Queens Park Rangers' ongoing battle to climb away from the relegation danger zone.