Penalty pain costs Hammers top spot as Charles denies Bowen at the death
Sunday 11 October 2026 · By Kirsty Hammond
West Ham United were one kick away from going top of the Championship on Friday night. Jarrod Bowen stepped up in the 91st minute at the London Stadium with the scores level against QPR – and Pierce Charles guessed right, saving the penalty and then the follow-up as well. The game finished 1–1, and the Hammers stay third.
It was a frustrating night for the 62,140 inside the ground. QPR went ahead on 18 minutes through a Nicolas Madsen penalty after Tomas Soucek was penalised, a decision that left Nuno Espírito Santo fuming. The West Ham head coach said afterwards that the images showed it was a “mistake”, and few home supporters would disagree.
Nuno’s side kept pushing, and Bowen eventually got them level on 70 minutes with his seventh goal of the season. When the stoppage-time penalty was awarded, the stage was set for a dramatic finish. Instead, Charles produced the moment of the night, keeping out Bowen’s spot-kick and then reacting quickly to deny the rebound too. Bowen admitted afterwards that he was bitterly disappointed, and his frustration was clear for all to see.
Penalties are becoming a sore point. Nuno noted that West Ham have now missed two of their last three spot-kicks, and in a division this tight those misses add up. Two points dropped here would have put them top on goal difference; instead they sit on 16 points, four behind leaders Swansea and two behind Middlesbrough.
There is still plenty to be positive about. West Ham are unbeaten in seven league games and remain the division’s top scorers with 23 goals in nine matches. Few teams in the Championship can match their attacking threat, and Bowen continues to lead the way. But two draws in a row have taken a little of the shine off the run, and the challenge now is turning dominance into wins again.
That will not be easy, because the next two games are both away from home – and away form has been the question mark this season. First comes a midweek trip to newly promoted Lincoln on Wednesday 14 October (20:00). The Imps were beaten 3–0 at Sheffield United on Saturday, but Sincil Bank under the lights is never a comfortable place to go.
Then it is the big one: a trip to Swansea on Saturday 17 October to face the league leaders, who have the best defence in the division. If the Hammers can take something from south Wales, the conversation will quickly move back to the title race.
After that, they return to London to host Southampton on Saturday 24 October, followed by West Brom at home on Saturday 31 October. Those two home games could be crucial in deciding whether West Ham end October in the automatic promotion places.
For now, supporters will chalk Friday up as one that got away. The performance had enough in it to suggest this team will be there or thereabouts in May. But if they are to finish top, a little more composure from 12 yards would go a long way.
North at the top. Goals sit in front of the Bobby Moore Stand (north) and the Sir Trevor Brooking Stand (south). Away seating is the sky-blue pocket in the south-west of the Brooking Stand.
London Stadium sits in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, a short walk from Stratford station. It opened for the 2012 Games and became West Ham United’s home in 2016. For football it holds about 62,500. Because it began life as an athletics venue, even the lowered football seating sits further from the pitch than at a traditional English ground. Retractable lower blocks come forward for matches, but you should still expect more space behind the goals than at Upton Park.
Visiting supporters are housed in the Sir Trevor Brooking Stand at the south end, mainly the south-west blocks in both the lower and upper tiers (typically around blocks 117–120 and 218–220). League allocations are usually just under 3,000; some cup ties can be larger. The opposite goal is in front of the Bobby Moore Stand (north), which holds many of the louder home supporters. Along the east touchline is the Billy Bonds Stand, the biggest home side. The West Stand is the main stand: tunnel, dugouts, directors’ box and most hospitality.
Plan to arrive via Bridge 4, the most convenient approach for Turnstile D and the away section. Club advice is to use that bridge to avoid mixing with the main home flow once you are on the island. Ticket collections for away fans are handled at the North Stand ticket office near Turnstile J when required. Supporter Liaison Officers staff information points near turnstiles G, H, J and D; look for them if you need directions, access help or a calm word after a flashpoint. Stewards will also point you to the visiting concourse.
The away concourse sells hot and cold drinks, pies, hot dogs, nachos and sweets, with a programme seller on duty. Toilets, including accessible RADAR-locked facilities, sit close to the visiting viewing areas. There are a modest number of elevated wheelchair bays for Premier League away fans; companion seats are arranged with the ticket. Accessible parking is limited and is usually allocated through your own club, not at the gate. Lower-tier seats can still catch rain if the wind drives it under the roof.
Sightlines vary more than at a tight football bowl. Central lower seats in the side stands give the cleanest read of the play. Behind either goal you are closer to celebrations at your end and further from the far net. Upper-tier seats in the Brooking Stand trade proximity for a wider view. Standing and singing are common in the home ends; expect a lively exchange if you sit next to the partition. Bags are searched. Large flags and poles are usually refused. Arrive early if you want food before kick-off; turnstiles for away fans typically open 90 minutes before the match.
Stratford is well served by the Elizabeth line, Central line, Jubilee line, DLR and National Rail. Westfield shopping centre is next door if you want a meal before heading into the park. After the whistle, give the bridges a few minutes to clear rather than pushing straight into the station crush. Follow steward instructions on the island; the park paths are wide but they bottleneck at the crossings. If you need help leaving, return to the SLO point by Turnstile D.
Treat the ground as a large, modern bowl rather than a compact old terrace. Get there via Bridge 4, find your Brooking block, and you will be behind the south goal with a clear sense of where the home noise is coming from at the other end.