QPR 2-2 Stoke: Kranjcar stunner rescues a point

A priceless free-kick from Niko Kranjcar saved the day as QPR rescued a point against Stoke in a lively 2-2 draw.

It appeared Rangers were heading for a fourth defeat in five games when Peter Crouch made it 2-1 after Steven Caulker cancelled out Mame Biram Diouf’s opener.

Chile World Cup star Eduardo Vargas’ low drive inside two minutes was well saved by Asmir Begovic, but for home fans, it was not a taste of things to come and 10 minutes later Diouf struck.

Victor Moses sent a cross in from the left; Crouch got the better of Rio Ferdinand and nodded down to Diouf, whose simple and early goal will have left Redknapp furious with the defending.

QPR tried their hardest to get back into the game and looked dangerous on the break but could not get through Stoke, who were unable to double their lead when Crouch fizzed an effort wide.

Rangers almost made the visitors rue their finishing with their best effort of the half. Picking the ball up 30 yards out, Kranjcar’s swerving shot had Begovic beaten, but narrowly missed tearing a hole in the top corner.

The home side were rewarded for their effort just before half-time, though. Caulker headed Jordon Mutch’s corner across Begovic’s goal and into the net, though the last touch was Charlie Adam’s as the Scotland international made a hash of his clearance, slicing at the ball as it crashed into the roof of the goal.

No sooner had the second half began, however, Stoke had restored their lead. Persistence from Moses on the left saw Mauricio Isla dispossessed, with the on loan Chelsea man firing in a low cross for boyhood Rangers fan Crouch to score.

Valid claims for a penalty when Ryan Shawcross had his arms around Caulker were waved away as QPR continued to press and a good save from Begovic denied Leroy Fer in the final five minutes.

Another defeat was on the cards until Kranjcar’s free-kick flew in two minutes from time.