'Can't believe they get away with that' - the controversial moment in the QPR v West Bromwich Albion game that has 'Hand of God' similarities

A key incident involving West Brom defender Cedric Kipre and an obvious handball during Wednesday night's game against QPR continues to be a huge talking point in the Championship. 

The controversial moment happened in the second half at Loftus Road, when the R's trailed 2-1. Kipre got in front of a header that former Baggies man Sam Field had directed goalwards from a Jimmy Dune cross. It was initially deemed as a good save from goalkeeper Alex Palmer as the ball went over the bar - but it soon became evident that the WBA man denied the hosts a certain goal by audaciously clearing the danger with his hand.

No player appeared to appeal for a penalty when the goal-line block was made. But following the final whistle, defender Steve Cook didn’t hold back with his thoughts, branding the on-the-field verdict a ‘terrible’ decision from referee Geoff Eltringham. In addition, the moment is now being branded a 'Hand of God' repeat as comparisons are made to when Diego Maradona scored for Argentina against England at the 1986 World Cup.

Indeed, social media users have got involved as they get to grips with the blatant handball incident. In response to Sky Sports’ post on X, formery Twittter, user MilsteadMovies said: “It’s the most clear handball off the line since Suarez did it in the World Cup".

LPatz80 took a different approach, and while admitting it was an error, they insisted: “A major error from the officials but the beauty of it is that we all just accept the mistake and move on. Pure drama, pure football".

A QPR fan, CharlieM0107, said: “I saw it from the corner in NL/PL, can't believe they get away with that".

Former Liverpool and Preston North End striker Neil Mellor waded in on the debate and said: “VAR is overused in the Prem for far too many subjective decisions every game! Check, delay! Too much!!

“This is what it’s needed for. 1 or 2 times a season, blatant ones the officials miss.  Anyway, I hope I don’t see VAR in the EFL!”

Watson_SLdn said: "Every single replay that I’ve seen on social media is a slow motion play from an angle that makes it look obvious. The fact there isn’t the real time clip, plus given the commentator missed it and the players didn’t initially react, suggests it wasn’t that clear to spot at first."

West Brom drew 2-2 with the Hoops at Loftus Road in a match that already had plenty of drama. The Baggies fell behind to an opener from Sam Field and Palmer had to be patched up with a bandage after suffering a head injury. 

A two-minute salvo from Michael Johnston and Grady Diangana put Carlos Corberan’s side in front. In the second half, Michael Frey missed a penalty after Adam Reach was adjudged to have handled the ball. Field, who began his career with WBA and was there from 2016 to 2021, scored an equaliser with 10 minutes to go but the hosts felt they should have taken all three.

The stalemate in west London left West Brom fifth on 60 points, five points above Norwich City, who are just outside of the play-offs. QPR on the other hand are 19th and a point above safety.