Lyndon Dykes earns QPR a point as Sheffield United throw away two-goal lead

Posted Sunday, August 18, 2024 by PA

QPR fought back from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw at Sheffield United in the Championship.

Gustavo Hamer and Kieffer Moore put the home side 2-0 up inside 13 minutes as the Blades looked to make it three straight wins in all competitions to start the new season.

But Rangers hit back with second-half goals from Jimmy Dunne and Lyndon Dykes, despite having substitute Jack Colback sent off when trailing 2-1 with seven minutes left.

Four of United’s summer recruits were included in the starting line-up with Moore, Alfie Gilchrist, Callum O’Hare and Harrison Burrows all making their home league debuts.

The hosts got off to a flying start, taking the lead in the sixth minute when Hamer traded passes with O’Hare before drilling a low shot just inside Paul Nardi’s right-hand post.

The Blades increased their lead when O’Hare slipped the ball to Hamer who reached the left byline before sending the ball across the face of goal and Moore tapped in at the far post.

QPR boss Marti Cifuentes was forced to make a change shortly before the break when Lucas Andersen went off injured, with Paul Smyth coming on to take his place.

A further change to the visitors’ line-up was made at the start of the second half with Colback replacing Jonathan Varane.

Rangers pulled a goal back 10 minutes after the interval when Dunne found the net with a glancing near-post header from Karamoko Dembele’s corner.

Zan Celar, introduced in the 68th minute, soon tested Adam Davies with a deflected shot as QPR pushed for an equaliser.

The hosts brought on defender Harry Souttar, signed on a season-long loan from Leicester, for his home league debut as they looked to keep things tight.

Michael Frey went close for the visitors with a header which was deflected just over but QPR’s hopes appeared to take a big blow in the 83rd minute when Colback was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.

But Dykes, who had only been on the pitch for a few minutes, scored an 88th-minute equaliser.

The Scotland international side-footed past Davies after fellow substitute Koki Saito broke free on the right, advanced into the area and pulled the ball back to him.

Neither side seriously threatened to score a winner in the closing stages as the visitors held on for their first point of the campaign.