Charlie Austin earned a point for Queens Park Rangers by coming from behind and scoring twice in a 2-2 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion at Loftus Road on Tuesday evening.
Dale Stephens and Rajiv van la Perra gave the visitors a second-half 2-0 lead inside five minutes, but Austin was able to peg back the Seagulls to give Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink his second point as QPR manager.
Brighton lost Lewis Dunk to a red card towards the end of the match, but the silver lining for Chris Hughton's and his team is that they are now 21 league games unbeaten.
Discover how the game unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute coverage below.
Good evening everyone! As we edge closer to Christmas, the football schedule gets even busier! Tonight, we will be focusing on the Championship meeting between Queens Park Rangers and table toppers Brighton & Hove Albion, who have travelled to Loftus Road searching for their 21st league game unbeaten. We'll have it all covered here, so you won't miss a kick!
As mentioned, Brighton can go 21 games unbeaten this evening and they can also extend their position at the top of the Championship table by five points. It's been a stunning season so far for the Seagulls, winning 11 games and drawing nine. However, they have been leaking goals of late, having conceded seven in their last five league fixtures.
From the home side's perspective, this game is Hasselbaink's second in charge of the team following his arrival from Burton Albion. His first match ended in a goalless draw, so to get his first win at Loftus Road would be very special for the new coach. It would be an even bigger achievement if they manage to snatch all three points off the league leaders, but that could be a big ask. Right, before we delve any further, let's have a look at the starting lineups from both sides. We'll begin with QPR...
QPR XI: Green; Perch, Hall, Onuoha, Konchesky; Faurlin, Sandro; Phillips, Hoilett, Fer; Austin
Subs: Smithies, Chery, Henry, Polter, Angella, Tozser, Emmanuel-Thomas
Subs: Smithies, Chery, Henry, Polter, Angella, Tozser, Emmanuel-Thomas
The headline news for QPR is that Charlie Austin has been given a starting spot after overcoming a calf injury. The forward has had to make do with appearances of the substitutes bench of late, but Hasselbaink believes that he is fit enough to lead the line this evening. Austin's inclusion is the only change from the team that played out a goalless draw against Burnley last weekend. Karl Henry is the man to lose his place in the starting lineup and he is relegated to the bench.
Matt Phillips, Junior Hoilett and Leroy Fer have been tasked with providing attacking assistance to Austin, while Alejandro Faurlin and Sandro will sit in midfield. As expected, James Perch, Grant Hall, Nedum Onuoha and Paul Konchesky all line the defence, with Rob Green keeping goal. Now for the visitors...
BRIGHTON XI: Stockdale; Bruno, Greer, Dunk, Calderon; Van La Parra, Kayal, Stephens, Murphy; Wilson, Hemed
Subs: Maenpaa, Chicksen, Huenemeier, Crofts, Forster-Caskey, Manu, Zamora
Subs: Maenpaa, Chicksen, Huenemeier, Crofts, Forster-Caskey, Manu, Zamora
Like QPR, Brighton have made just the one change from the side that drew 2-2 with Derby County last weekend. Solomon March has been removed from the midfield, with Rajiv van La Parra getting the nod. James Wilson, who is on loan from Manchester United, will start alongside Tomer Hemed up front.
Van La Parra has joined Beram Kayal, Dale Stephens and Jamie Murphy in midfield, while Bruno, Gordon Greer, Lewis Dunk and Inigo Calderon have kept their places in defence. David Stockdale starts in goal as he aims to get Brighton's seventh clean sheet of the league campaign.
Right, I hope you're ready for this one because it could be an exciting match-up! As mentioned, Brighton have conceded in their last five Championship games and in contrast, QPR have not conceded in their last five home games, which is their best run since October 2013. Could they stifle Hughton's side and end Brighton's unbeaten run? We will find out soon enough!
In terms of the previous meetings between the two clubs, QPR have come out the better side as they have won four and lost none of their last nine league matches against the Seagulls on home turf. Lotus Road is not the happiest ground for Brighton as they have only managed to score two goals in their last seven games at the West London ground.
While the stats might not be in Brighton's favour, they have huge confidence heading into this game as they are unbeaten in 20 league games - the only side in all four divisions to have done so. The unbeaten record is also the longest in Championship history since the 2004-05 campaign, bettering QPR's record of 19 games, which was set in the 2010-11 season.
In case you didn't know, Sky Sports have been lapping up the Football League with Ian Holloway's '10 in 10' challenge. The former Millwall manager has been covering 10 games in 10 days - this one is his fifth and he has provided his thoughts ahead of the game.
He told Sky Sports: "This is the game I'm looking forward to on our 10 in 10 adventure and I think the home crowd will rock the house down at Loftus Road to the extent that Brighton's magnificent unbeaten run will come to an end. That will be a huge incentive for Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, the players and the fans.
"They played well for long periods against Burnley and that'll give something for Jimmy to build on."
PREDICTION: That is Holloway's prediction, but I am going to take a different angle. While QPR have the home advantage and the boost of Austin starting, Brighton have continued to prove their quality by getting a result from all 20 of their league games. I expect goals from both teams, but the visitors may just edge it 2-1.
Right, we're just a minute away from kickoff now. Fingers crossed for a decent game!
KICKOFF! Brighton get us underway at Loftus Road, kicking right to left.
The visitors start brightly by earning themselves an early corner, which is swung into the box searching for Dunk, who manages to get a head on the ball, but he nods it straight into the goalkeeper's hands.
Instantly, QPR go on the attack, but when the ball is hit into the box, Brighton manage to clear. It's been a fast start to the game, with both sides on the frontfoot.
SAVE! That's what QPR fans want to see! Austin picks up the ball in the middle of the park and charges through Brighton's defence. The striker manages to reach the edge of the box before unleashing a shot at goal, but Stockdale drops to his left to make the save.
QPR look threatening from the corner as it's swung into danger and eventually drops to Hoilett, who tries to curl the ball into the box from the left edge of the area, but his effort just glides over the crossbar. A confident start from the hosts!
The visitors try to get some time on the ball, but they're struggling to string passes together at the moment. Sandro has been showing his strength by getting his foot in and winning the ball back for QPR.
SAVE! Stockdale is called on again as Phillips unleashes a thumping strike from the right side of the final third. The keeper manages to get fingertips on the ball to nudge it over the bar. A few seconds prior to this, QPR had a wobbly moment when Wilson almost got in behind the defence, but Green did just enough to clear the danger.
QPR have come closest to open the scoring, but it's rather even in the middle of the park as Brighton have also had chances on the attack. It's an exciting one for the neutral so far! Particularly as both defences have been quite shaky. Inside a few seconds, the home side had to block three shots from the visitors.
There's some troubling news for QPR as Perch is on the floor clutching his right knee. He appears to have landed awkwardly after challenging for the ball in the air. He's shaking his head, which is not a great sign for the home team.
Perch needs two members of the medial team as he hobbles off the pitch. The defender is certainly going to be replaced here. Unfortunate for the home side as they were looking to build momentum.
QPR SUB: As expected, Perch has gone through the tunnel to receive treatment and has been replaced with Angella, who has gone into the centre-back position, moving Onuoha to right-back.
As soon as play restarts, QPR give away a corner, but Fer does well to head clear, preventing any yellow shirts from latching onto the ball.
Oh dear, that's a replay that Austin will not want to see! The QPR striker charges towards the box, but instead of trying to get past his man, he goes to ground claiming a penalty. It's a blatant dive, though, and the referee does the right thing in denying him. Should it have been a yellow card though?
QPR continue on the frontfoot as Faurlin sends in a great ball from the right, finding Hall, but his header just misses the target.
OFF THE LINE! What a vital clearance from Calderon! Brighton need to thank their teammate as Phillips's effort would have smashed into the back of the net if it weren't for him. Phillips takes a touch when the ball is crossed into the box and then aims towards the net. His shot beats Stockdale, but Calderon is there to poke it away.
At the other end, the ball is whipped into the box, finding Murphy, but he cannot get a decent touch on the ball and the opportunity goes missing. Seconds later, QPR rip through the Brighton defence and Austin takes a shot, but the path is blocked by Dunk's arm. The home side scream for a penalty, but it's not given and in fairness to Dunk, he didn't know much about it as his back was turned when the shot was taken.
QPR have looked very strong on the counter attack, but they are just missing that clinical final touch to make their chances count. Brighton have shown danger when on the frontfoot, but they have rarely troubled Rob Green in goal. Despite Wilson's positive start to life at Brighton, he is yet to display much of a threat.
The home side are trying to break through Brighton's defence, but they are not having a great time of it. The visitors are making it difficult for Hasselbaink's side to get into the box, and any early defensive wobbles have now ceased.
QPR look to break the deadlock with a set piece, but Faurlin's corner goes beyond his teammates and Stockdale gets a touch to give away another corner. It's whipped in and Calderon clears, but he clatters heads with Sandro in the process. Both players are fit enough to continue.
Phillips is lucky not to get a booking after catching Murphy after the ball was hit. The referee opts for a talking-to instead of brandishing his card, but the QPR player may not be so fortunate next time.
BOOKING! Angella, who came on as a substitute, is the first to be yellow carded and it was the right call from the referee as the QPR defender lunged in on Hemed, getting nowhere near the ball.
Van la Parra tries to make things happen for Brighton with a surging run from QPR's half down the right flank, but his low cross into the box is poor and it's headed out for corner, which is played short and goes out for another corner. This time the ball is whipped into the box and Dunk aims a header towards goal, but it bounces right into the hands of the goalkeeper.
Well, that wasn't the desired outcome from Sandro! The Brazilian lines up a free kick 35 yards from goal. He looks like he means business, but his strike fails to trouble Stockdale as the ball soars into the stands.
A couple minutes after Sandro's effort, Phillips attempts one of his own. He gets himself in space on the edge of the area, but his effort is poor and ends up yards from the keeper's left post. This half seems to be ending with a lull.
Wilson gets his first real chance to score! The striker, who is on loan at Brighton from Manchester United, shows his pace and energy by driving inside and pulling the play to the corner of the box. He goes for goal with a left-footed shot, but it goes straight into the hands of Green.
HALF-TIME: QPR 0-0 BRIGHTON
So, no goals in the first half, despite the exciting start to the game. Both showed attacking intent early on, putting pressure on the defences, but as the half progressed it was QPR who had the best chances to break the deadlock. Charlie Austin has been involved in the majority of the home side's attacks and had an effort saved within the first 10 minutes. However, the forward has been frustrated by Brighton's Bruno at times, who has been tussling with Austin, particularly while defending corners.
The home side have shown some nice movement on the ball and Hasselbaink will probably be the happier of the two managers as his team have been pressing higher up and they look like they have some confidence, which can only be down to the new manager. Despite showing some promising plays, Hasselbaink will want more from his team in the second half as they have a decent chance of ending Brighton's unbeaten run.
If Brighton manage to get a draw or win from this game, all the players will give thanks to Calderon, who was there to clear off the line to deny Phillips from scoring. Despite some shaky moments in defence at the start of the game, the visitors have become more compact and have made it hard for QPR to break them down. Hughton will want Wilson to get more involved in attack in the second half as he has only shown glimpses of a threat. Fingers crossed for goals after the break!
RESTART! Right, we're back underway at Loftus Road, with the home side on the ball.
Brighton do well to thwart Austin's attack. The QPR forward meets the long ball and chests it down on the swivel, but the visitor's defence manage to pick out the danger and clear swiftly.
Murphy leads the counter attack by charging down the left. He plays it forward to Wilson, who drives to the byline before sending in a cross, but it's a poor ball as it's too high and misses his teammates. Hemed is unhappy with his strike partner as he would have needed to make a simple tap-in had the ball been fed low on the ground.
Brighton are on that attack here as Wilson tries again by charging forward, but the ball is picked out by the QPR defence.
GOAL! QPR 0-1 BRIGHTON (STEPHENS)
Wow, Dale Stephens has given Brighton the lead with a remarkable overhead kick! The visitors earn two quick corners and from the second, the ball bounces towards Stephens, who is a yard off the ground when he kicks it behind and past the goalkeeper. QPR feel as though they should have had a penalty, though, as Sandro was nudged by Stephens.
GOAL! QPR 0-2 BRIGHTON (VAN LA PERRA)
What a strike from Van la Perra! Out of nowhere, Brighton are two goals to the good 10 minutes into the second half. This time it's Van la Perra who goes for an audacious 35-yard shot, which ends up swerving past Green and into the back of the net. Well, who would have predicted this at half time?!
QPR SUB: Prior to that, Sandro was hauled off and replaced with Henry. The home side need to recover as they have the tough task of getting back into this game.
The home side need to sort themselves out and quickly. The defence look shaky as Wilson tries to work his way past the goalkeeper. Green goes to ground but it's scrappy and loses the ball, but his teammates manage to just about clear the danger.
CHANCE! It's end to end at the moment! Brighton search for a third as the ball is fizzed across goal, but nobody is there to latch onto it. At the other end, Austin aims a header at goal, but it's easily saved by Stockdale.
SAVE! Austin is involved again as he shows some decent skill on the edge of the box before unleashing a powerful volley, but Stockdale drops down to his right to punch clear from his near post.
After conceding conceding two goals in five minutes, QPR have responded well. The players have not allowed their heads to drop and they continue to press.
GOAL! QPR 1-2 BRIGHTON (AUSTIN)
Game on! As mentioned, QPR have responded well and it's their star striker who has got his team back in this game. Austin picks up the ball in the box after it fell kindly to him from Phillips's low cross. The striker swivels before hammering a shot into the back of the net from the near post.
Brighton are still trying to add to their lead by committing men forward, but it's QPR who have their tails up. The visitors get some time on the ball and Wilson hits the ball ahead of him searching for Murphy, who's pass cuts blocked by Onuoha.
The home side's momentum has waned slightly as Brighton have seen plenty of the ball in these last few minutes. Hughton's men seem to be content just keeping the ball for now.
Austin has other ideas though as he drives into the box and aims a shot, but it's blocked by a yellow short. The play is still alive, though, as Faurlin unleashes a powerful shot at goal, but Kayal blocks its path.
CHANCE! A nervy moment for Brighton as the ball is whipped into the area searching for Fer, who goes for a diving header, but Calderon tracks him and does just enough to prevent the midfielder from making contact.
BOOKING! Dunk gets himself a yellow card for needlessly bringing down Phillips off the ball.
BRIGHTON SUBS: That's the end of Wilson's night as Zamora comes onto the pitch to a warm reception from the QPR fans following his spell at Loftus Road. Hemed also makes way, being replaced by Crofts.
Hughton's side are looking to dispel QPR's hopes of gaining anything from the game as they try some intricate passing in the area. Kayla shows some lovely footwork in the 18-yard box, but he struggles to find any of his teammates and the ball goes out for a corner. It's whipped in and eventually finds Greer who heads the ball towards goal, but it goes over the crossbar.
QPR SUB: Fer is the next to be substituted as Polter is brought on for the final 10 minutes of the game.
CLOSE! Polter almost makes an instant impact since coming on the pitch! The ball is whipped in from the corner and these striker aims for a header, but just misses the ball.
DUNK OFF! Dear oh dear, a terrible tackle from Dunk has resulted in the Brighton man getting sent off for a second yellow card. He jumped in with a challenge on Faurlin and in all honesty, that could have been a straight red card. QPR players are fuming with Dunk, who trudges off the field in anger.
BRIGHTON SUB: Hughton makes a change following Dunk's dismissal as Huenemeier comes on, forcing Murphy to make way.
GOAL! QPR 2-2 BRIGHTON (AUSTIN)
My oh my! Two minutes of normal time remaining and Austin refuses to give up as he pegs back Brighton single-handedly! The forward forces a corner before powering a header into the net from six yards. The striker was being held by Bruno but he still showed enough strength to get his second goal of the evening.
The fourth official has indicated seven minutes, yes seven minutes of added time! There could be plenty more twists in this game!
SAVE! What a vital stop from Stockdale! QPR are charging forward after scoring from behind yet again. This time Konchesky is involved as he tries to shoot from inside the box, but the goalkeeper comes off his line to stop the ball with his foot.
The hosts get a free kick 35 yards from goal and after Faurlin's kick is initially cleared from Greer, Angella attempts with a volley but it flies over the bar.
CLOSE! Wow, Phillips is inches away from giving QPR the lead in these dying minutes! The midfielder shows his pace as the Brighton defenders back off, and at 25 yards out, he unleashes a shot, but misses the target by a whisker.
FULL-TIME: QPR 2-2 BRIGHTON
And breathe... This game had it all didn't it? Four dramatic goals and a feisty sending-off! Charlie Austin has earned QPR a point after scoring twice after going two goals down inside five minutes in the first half. Dale Stephens and Rajiv van la Perra found the back of the net for the visitors, but it was not enough to give them all three points.
The Seagulls may have gone 21 Championship games unbeaten, but they relinquished a two-goal lead and went down to 10 men after Lewis Dunk was sent off for a reckless tackle. What does this do to the table? Well, Brighton have dropped to second, on level points with new leaders Middlesbrough, while QPR have moved to 12th. That's all from us this evening, so until next time, goodbye.
