Tensions spill over with Oxford boss Gary Rowett and QPR’s Rhys Norrington-Davies clashing at the end of the goalless draw.
Norrington-Davies picked up the ball which made its way into the Oxford dugout, then the Hoops left-back barges into Rowett watching on, leading to some heated scenes.
A little scrap with unnecessary pulling and pushing before Queens Park Rangers head coach Julien Stephan and both sets of players then made their way over to try and separate the two, both involved parties are shown yellow.
The hosts missing a chance to enter the Championship’s top six, staying unbeaten in five league games since a 7-1 loss to Coventry, with three wins and a draw.
Oxford, who have only one league win this season, made it tough for them, they’re defensive approach held firm on Wednesday night, and enough to see them pick up their first clean-sheet of the league season, and an improved form helps them climb out of the Championship bottom three.
It’s all kicked off between QPR and Oxford Utd 😳 pic.twitter.com/ViuYvhogKY
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) October 1, 2025
Oxford’s Gary Rowett said, per Sky Sports: “Happy with the clean sheet. Not super happy with our attacking moments but away from home on a tight pitch it’s aways a competitive game here. It’s a difficult place to come.
“We didn’t quite mange to connect the last little bit. We lacked that little bit of quality. I think both teams did in truth.”
Rowett told BBC Radio Oxford: “It’s a big point and a big away performance in terms of the defensive effort, the endeavour, the resilience.
“In the first 45 minutes I actually felt pretty comfortable – we just couldn’t find the touch, pass, shot from some good positions.
“Second half, the challenge was when the game became more scrappy and direct and they pinned us in. They didn’t create many chances but then we didn’t until the 95th minute.”
“We’re just making crucial mistakes”
Oxford Utd boss Gary Rowett on how his side have performed so far this season 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/POiSWHM4Bn
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) October 1, 2025
Following the game, the R’s head coach Julien Stephan admitted, per the club website: “It’s a mix of feelings, to be honest. I think the first 20-25 minutes we could have done better on the pitch.
“It was better the last 15 minutes of the first half, and we took control in the second half, and we had the best chances to score. It was just a question of decisions in the last third, because I think we had one or two good opportunities to finish.
“It’s five games unbeaten and we need to continue like this. And the second clean sheet in the last three games.
“So we have to remember about that, I think, even if, of course, we want to win each time. And the plan was to try to win this game. But when it’s not possible, you need to continue to have a point, and it’s another point.
“We need to be happy with that, even if we want to be demanding; we need to improve, but this is a process.”
On making five changes to the starting XI that started the previous three fixtures: “It’s not only (about) 11 or 12 players. It’s 16, 17, 18, 19 players. And it’s not a question of only one game. It’s a question of how you want to manage your season, in fact.
“It’s very important for me to involve some players who deserve it because when they train, they train very well.
“And the plan today as well, it was to manage a game with one team during the first 60 minutes and to change after one hour and try to finish very strong the last 30 minutes. And to be honest, we had the best chances in the last 30 minutes.
“This is only eight games in the beginning of the season,” he said. “It’s just the beginning.
“I think the Championship, it’s always the same thing when you are not able to win; if you are able to take a point, it’s very important because you continue to take some points.
“And this is the case. We had three wins in a row before, and now it’s two draws. But two draws, that means two points.
“We have just to continue like this and continue to work because the most important is the mindset.”
On Bristol City next up for QPR: “We have a big battle against Bristol. They played yesterday; they have one day more to recover. They played at home yesterday; they will play at home the next game.
“It’s a big difference but we have to deal with the situation. It is what it is, and we will be ready on Saturday.”
Here’s how fans reacted on Twitter as Tensions spill over with Oxford boss Gary Rowett and QPR’s Rhys Norrington-Davies clashing…
@MillwallNil: “It’s not what we want to see is it?” Yup it absolutely is.
@DJ7gaga: Manager does nothing wrong and gets booked. Sums it up officials have been shocking all match for both teams.
@UpTheRs: It was literally all him 🤣
@ThomasAtcheson: He slowed up play and got in the way. He should stick to managing.
@MGAceman: Well this is just stupid. Rowett is just standing there, player bumps into him and goes off. Knob.
@paulfinney1969: Most Action all night
@GeorgeHogg93: Madsen got a bit mad, he started it, not Gary. #oufc #qpr
@Joe_Citrone: Chris Hackett leaping up to get involved whilst Craig Short stays sat down grinning away 😂 #oufc
@Nozzzaaaa: MBengue getting stuck in there 😂😂
@___JG1: Frey on his toes ready to cave a blokes skull in we’re so back
@UTBJack: RND still has the United scrap genes 🤣🤣 #sufc
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