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QPR logo
Premier League
Sep 20, 2014 at 12.45pm UK
 
Stoke logo

2-2

Caulker (42'), Kranjcar (88')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Biram Diouf (11'), Crouch (51')

Late Niko Kranjcar strike secures draw for Queens Park Rangers

Queens Park Rangers twice come from behind to share a 2-2 draw with Stoke City in the Premier League.

Queens Park Rangers twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw with Stoke City at Loftus Road in the Premier League this afternoon.

Niko Kranjcar of QPR celebrates scoring with a free kick during the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and Stoke City at Loftus Road on September 20, 2014 © Getty Images

Both sides made an attacking start to the match, but it was Stoke who opened the scoring with just over 10 minutes gone as Peter Crouch got the better of Rio Ferdinand to head the ball on for Mame Biram Diouf, who nodded in from close range.

The Potters came close to doubling their lead later in the half as Charlie Adam looked for Diouf, but the striker took too long lining up the shot, giving QPR time to clear.

The home side started to see more of the ball as half time approached, with Niko Kranjcar almost getting them back on level terms with a curling effort from 30 yards out, which narrowly missed the top corner.

Mame Biram Diouf of Stoke City celebrates scoring the opening goal with team mates during the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and Stoke City at Loftus Road on September 20, 2014© Getty Images

Harry Redknapp's men kept pressing, though, and found the equaliser just before the break as Steven Caulker lost Ryan Shawcross during a corner, leaving the defender to head past Asmir Begovic via a deflection off Charlie Adam.

Despite the QPR's strong finish to the opening 45 minutes, Stoke were back in front early in the second half, as Victor Moses played the ball forward for Crouch to smash past Rob Green at the first time of asking.

Erik Pieters could have made it three for Stoke just a couple of minutes later, but a scuffed finish gave the Hoops keeper an easy save.

Steven Caulker of QPR is congratulated by Leroy Fer after scoring his team's opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and Stoke City at Loftus Road on September 20, 2014© Getty Images

Kranjcar continued to provide a threat from distance as the home side tried to get back on level terms again, but the Croatian curled a shot just wide from the edge of the box.

Begovic was called into action late on as QPR continued to push, but the keeper was able to tip a headed effort from Leroy Fer behind.

The keeper could to little to deny Kranjcar in the final moments of the match though, as the midfielder hit a powerful free kick into the back of the net.

Kranjcar could have added a winner in stoppage time when he blasted another ball towards the Stoke goal, but Begovic held onto it to ensure that the sides finished level.

Peter Crouch of Stoke City celebrates his goal with Phil Bardsley of Stoke City during the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and Stoke City at Loftus Road on September 20, 2014© Getty Images

The result leaves Stoke seventh in the table, while QPR climb up to 16th.

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Mame Biram Diouf of Stoke City celebrates scoring the opening goal with team mates during the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and Stoke City at Loftus Road on September 20, 2014
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