QPR and Bolton Wanderers played out a goalless draw in the Championship's Regular Season round two on Saturday. The match ended 0:0 at Loftus Road after ninety minutes and stoppage time. It was a result that extended QPR's unbeaten start while adding a point to Bolton's modest tally.
There were few clear-cut moments before the break. Thierry Gale picked up a yellow card on 45+1, the first booking of the game. The visitors had been the more reserved side, keeping their shape and waiting for QPR to overcommit. By then you could see Bolton's game plan was built around staying compact and hitting on the break.
The second half brought waves of substitutions that changed the complexion of the contest. QPR brought on Akin Famewo on 46 minutes, looking for fresh legs. Then came the double move at 59, with John McAtee and Thierry Gale both going off. Bolton responded with four changes at 62, bringing on Amadou Salif Mbengue, Kealey Adamson, Kwame Poku and Richard Kone. Gaizka Larrazabal came on for QPR on 67 minutes, and Koki Saito added pace at 76.
Yellow cards continued to accumulate. Ryan Hardie was booked on 73, and Jake Clarke-Salter followed on 75. The game opened up but neither side could find the breakthrough. QPR threw bodies forward but Bolton's defence held firm, and their goalkeeper kept making saves when it mattered.
The statistics tell the story of dominance without reward. QPR enjoyed 55 per cent possession and registered 10 shots on target with an expected goals figure of 1.82. They created three big chances and had 111 passes into the final third. Bolton's goalkeeper made 10 saves, and the visitors had just one shot on target with an xG of 0.19. Many shots with no goals means chances went begging.
QPR remain second in the table with 10 points from four games, three wins and one draw. Bolton sit 15th with just four points, one win and two defeats. The result keeps QPR in the upper echelons while Bolton will need to improve if they want to climb out of trouble.