QPR and Everton have played out an entertaining 1-1 draw at a rain-soaked Loftus Road today.
On a very wet day in West London, QPR skipped to a very early lead through Junior Hoilett who took possession after an Everton corner and advanced down the pitch before unleashing past Tim Howard with the ball taking a slight deflection off Leighton Baines.
Everton lifted their performance after conceding early and managed to equalise in the 33rd minute when Sylvain Distin managed to get free at the back post to nod Seamus Coleman's free-kick onto the upright with the ball rolling in off R's keeper Julio Cesar.
Just after the hour-mark, the Toffees were reduced to ten men when Steven Pienaar was sent off for a questionable second yellow card for his challenge on Jose Bosingwa. The first tackle on Hoilett was certainly bookable but referee Jonathan Moss got the second one very wrong as Bosingwa actually provided the contact by swinging his leg back whilst Pienaar was bearing down.
Everton almost conceded a second inside ten minutes when keeper Tim Howard slipped as he was attempting to clear Baines' backpass with the end result an Armand Traore flash across goal which inched wide of Bobby Zamora at the far post.
Nikica Jelavic forced a top save from Julio Cesar with a bending free-kick in the 17th minute prior to Phil Jagielka almost making it two goals in a minute when his header skimmed the crossbar from a corner after Distin's effort levelled the scoreline.
Things opened up in the second half as both sides looked to break but despite Pienaar's sending off, Everton were looking the more likely with R's midfielder Stephane Mbia glancing Kevin Mirallas' dangerous 70th minute attempt over the crossbar before Cesar produced a great reaction save to deny Jagielka's close range header.
With 15 minutes remaining, Toffees keeper Tim Howard brilliantly denied Hoilett before nicking in to thwart Djibril Cisse who was looking ominous advancing towards goal.
Howard was at it again moments later with an acrobatic save to keep out Hoilett's curler from just inside the area before Jagielka intervened to block Esteban Granero who was set to knock it in from close range at the death.
The draw did not allow Mark Hughes' QPR to open their winning account as they remain bottom of the table as Everton stayed fourth, three points behind third-placed Manchester City.
QPR: 1 (Junior Hoilett 2') Everton: 1 (Julio Cesar (og) 33')
Loftus Road, London - 17,959
Yellow cards:QPR - Samba Diakite 68', Esteban Granero 90+4' EVE - Steven Pienaar 53'/61' Red card:EVE - Steven Pienaar 61'
