Portsmouth and Queens Park Rangers players involved in 22-man brawl as punches are reportedly thrown during feisty FA Cup clash

Portsmouth and Queens Park Rangers players involved in 22-man brawl as punches are reportedly thrown during feisty FA Cup clash
Portsmouth’s clash with Queens Park Rangers descended into chaos as all 22 players on the pitch became involved in a mass brawl.QPR midfielder Josh Scowen and Pompey’s Ronan Curtis sparked a scuffle during the FA Cup clash, which escalated to punches reportedly being thrown before the game ended in a 1-1 draw.3

All 22 players on the pitch became involved in the scrap as Ronan Curtis lies on the turf

Despite the violence, only Joel Lynch was booked for the visitors, with Curtis and teammate Lee Brown also picking up bookings.Journalist Jonathon Overend was at Fratton Park and described the incident as a ‘mass bundle’.He told the BBC: “There was a nasty fight. Arms and fists flying everywhere. It was a mass bundle involving most of the players.”Nakhi Wells ensured there was to be no giant-killing on the South Coast when he crashed home from close range 11 minutes later after Luke Freeman’s corner had caused panic in the home defence.3

Nakhi Wells celebrates in front of the travelling QPR fans

Steve McClaren’s men were hoping to book a place in the fifth round for the first time since Trevor Sinclair scored his famous bicycle kick goal against Barnsley in 1997 and had the better of the opening exchanges.Pompey goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray was called into action for the first time when Darnell Furlong flicked a header into his arms after ghosting in at the near post to meet Freeman’s corner.It took until the 28th minute for the visitors to create their first meaningful chance.Freeman floated in a free-kick from the left and Lynch found himself unmarked only to head tamely into the gloves of a grateful MacGillivray from eight yards.3

Joel Lynch can only look on as Pompey went in front

Pompey captain Brett Pitman did have the ball in the net moments later but the goal was ruled out after referee Gavin Ward spotted a foul on Rangers defender Toni Leistner.The south coast side almost took the lead on the brink of half-time when Louis Dennis’ dipping 20-yard volley was acrobatically tipped over the crossbar by Joe Lumley.Pompey, who beat Championship promotion contenders Norwich in round three, created another great chance four minutes after the restart.The busy Dennis floated the ball over the top of the Rangers defence but could only lift his shot over the crossbar with just a helpless Lumley to beat. The home crowd exploded in joy when Kenny Jackett’s men took the lead in fortuitous fashion three minutes past the hour mark.Republic of Ireland winger Ronan Curtis rolled the ball forward for the overlapping Brown down the left and his cross was turned into his own net by the hapless Lynch.Rangers hit back when Wells found the roof of the net to claim his seventh goal of the season and despite an open conclusion to the game, neither side could find a winner.

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