Josh Maja hits hat-trick as West Brom beat QPR

Posted Saturday, August 10, 2024 by PA

Josh Maja scored a hat-trick as West Brom came from behind to beat QPR 3-1 at Loftus Road.

Lucas Andersen put Rangers ahead in the 16th minute but Albion, beaten in last season’s Championship play-offs, responded emphatically and were deserved winners.

It was a hugely disappointing start to the season for Rangers, who lost their way after an early breakthrough.

Youngster Rayan Kolli delivered an excellent right-footed cross from the left flank and Andersen drifted in unchallenged to head past keeper Alex Palmer.

Albion hit back with a similar goal 10 minutes later. Summer signing Torbjorn Heggem, making his debut, crossed from the left and Maja got in front of Rangers centre-back Jake Clarke-Salter to head home from the edge of the six-yard box.

Maja struck twice more in the second half, with both goals coming after fine work by Tom Fellows on the right.

On 51 minutes, Fellows tricked his way past Kenneth Paal and chipped a cross towards Maja, who beat defender Jimmy Dunne to head past keeper Paul Nardi.

Worse followed for beleaguered QPR 14 minutes later when Fellows got past young substitute Alfie Lloyd and his cross ricocheted off Rangers captain Steve Cook towards Maja, who hooked the ball in from close range.

Nardi then prevented a Baggies fourth by denying Karlan Grant at point-blank range as the visitors threatened to run riot.

At the other end, Palmer pushed over a shot from Dunne at his near post and gathered a Cook volley, and Lloyd sent a low strike narrowly wide, but Rangers never looked likely to mount a comeback.

While Albion always looked a threat, Slovenia international striker Zan Celar was unable to make an impact on his QPR debut following his recent move to west London and was substituted in the second half.

Rangers expect to bring in attacking reinforcements before the transfer window closes – and with Ilias Chair currently out and Chris Willock having left during the summer, their need to strengthen was abundantly clear.

Albion boss Carlos Corberan, on the other hand, will be hugely encouraged by his team’s superb start to the campaign.

There appears to be no hangover from last season’s play-off defeat and a dream opening day for Maja, who only managed one goal during the whole of last season, is an outcome few could have predicted.