Queens Park Rangers 2-1 Birmingham City: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Ladbrokes’ post-match review of Queens Park Rangers 2-1 Birmingham City in the Championship on Tuesday, 09 December 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

Queens Park Rangers beat Birmingham City 2-1 in a tense Championship clash. The hosts took the lead just before the break when Jimmy Dunne scored in the 40th minute, assisted by Koki Saito, giving QPR a deserved edge after a solid first half where they built on their recent form of three wins in four league games. Birmingham, who had been struggling with back-to-back losses coming into this, pushed hard but couldn’t find a way through until late.

The second half saw Birmingham make early changes at the 46th minute, with Tommy Doyle replacing Bright Osayi-Samuel and Kyogo Furuhashi coming on for Marvin Ducksch, as they chased the game with more possession. QPR made their own substitutions, including Karamoko Dembélé for Paul Patrick Smyth at 67’, Kwame Poku for Koki Saito at 79’, and Kieran Morgan for Amadou Salif Mbengue at 86’, which proved crucial. Drama unfolded in stoppage time as Patrick Roberts equalised for Birmingham in the 90+3rd minute, assisted by Demarai Gray, only for Kieran Morgan to snatch the winner for QPR in the 90+6th minute, assisted by Jonathan Varane, capping off QPR’s fourth win in five recent outings while extending Birmingham’s poor run.

Birmingham City dominated possession with 63% compared to Queens Park Rangers’ 37%, showing they controlled much of the ball but struggled to convert that into clear chances, while QPR looked more threatening on the counter with 47 successful dribbles against Birmingham’s 38. The hosts also edged corners 6-3, highlighting their set-piece threat that paid off in the first goal, though both sides kept discipline tight with just two yellow cards for QPR and one for Birmingham, including late bookings that added to the tension.

Substitutions played a key role, with Birmingham using all five – starting with two at half-time and more in the second half – to try shifting momentum, while QPR’s three changes, especially the late introduction of Kieran Morgan, directly influenced the dramatic finish. Assists were evenly split at two for QPR and one for Birmingham, underlining how the hosts made the most of their opportunities despite less of the ball.

The game’s turning points came in a frantic injury time, but it started with Jimmy Dunne’s 40th-minute goal for Queens Park Rangers, assisted by Koki Saito, which broke the deadlock after a period of home pressure. Birmingham fought back late, equalising through Patrick Roberts in the 90+3rd minute with an assist from Demarai Gray, only for Kieran Morgan to restore QPR’s lead in the 90+6th minute, assisted by Jonathan Varane, sealing the win.

Substitutions shaped the second half, with Birmingham making double changes at the break – Tommy Doyle for Bright Osayi-Samuel and Kyogo Furuhashi for Marvin Ducksch – followed by Eiran Cashin for Jack Robinson and Lyndon Dykes for Jay Stansfield at 68’, and Keshi Anderson for Phil Neumann at 82’. QPR’s bench impact was evident too, as Karamoko Dembélé replaced Paul Patrick Smyth at 67’, Kwame Poku came on for Koki Saito at 79’, and Kieran Morgan’s entry for Amadou Salif Mbengue at 86’ led to his decisive goal, though late yellow cards for Kieran Morgan and Amadou Salif Mbengue at 90+7’ marred the celebrations, while Birmingham’s Seung-ho Paik picked up a booking at 80’.

Queens Park Rangers lined up in a 4-4-2 formation, with Jimmy Dunne proving solid at the back and linking well for his goal, while Koki Saito’s assist highlighted creative partnerships in midfield alongside Jonathan Varane, who set up the late winner. Substitutes like Karamoko Dembélé, Kwame Poku and Kieran Morgan added fresh legs and impact, with Morgan’s introduction proving pivotal in attack.

Birmingham City set up in a 4-2-3-1 shape, relying on attacking threats like Patrick Roberts, who stood out with his late goal, supported by Demarai Gray’s assist in the final moments. Changes from the bench, including Tommy Doyle, Kyogo Furuhashi, Eiran Cashin, Lyndon Dykes and Keshi Anderson, aimed to bolster midfield and forward options, with Seung-ho Paik’s yellow card reflecting the intensity in the engine room.

Ladbrokes’ Man of the Match went to Patrick Roberts of Birmingham City, who grabbed their only goal in stoppage time despite the defeat, showing sharp finishing without creating big chances or key passes in a performance that nearly salvaged a point.

Recent Championship matches:

• Win: 2-1 vs Birmingham City (H)
• Win: 3-1 vs West Bromwich Albion (H)
• Loss: 1-3 vs Norwich City (A)
• Win: 1-0 vs Blackburn Rovers (A)
• Win: 3-2 vs Hull City (H)

Recent Championship matches:

• Loss: 1-2 vs Queens Park Rangers (A)
• Loss: 1-3 vs Southampton (A)
• Win: 2-1 vs Watford (H)
• Draw: 1-1 vs West Bromwich Albion (A)
• Win: 4-1 vs Norwich City (H)

Queens Park Rangers have just edged out Birmingham City 2-1, continuing their strong run with four wins from their last five league games, sitting sixth on 31 points and pushing for a play-off spot. They face Middlesbrough next on 2025-12-13 at 15:00, with the visitors second on 39 points and in fine form, making this a tough test where QPR will aim to close the gap at the top.

Birmingham City have just fallen 1-2 to Queens Park Rangers, marking their third loss in five recent league outings and leaving them 10th on 28 points, still in mid-table but needing points to climb. Their next fixture is against Charlton Athletic on 2025-12-13 at 15:00, with the opponents 19th on 23 points and struggling, offering Birmingham a chance to bounce back and build some momentum.

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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.