Unseen defensive anchor earns Queens Park Rangers a point at Stoke | OneFootball

Steve Cook anchored Queens Park Rangers' back line, his 15 clearances underpinning a 0-0 draw at Stoke City.

Early on, Cook read danger quickly and attacked first balls, repeatedly heading away deliveries as Stoke pressed high and turned territory into crosses.

After the restart, he kept repelling service from wide areas, winning seven aerial duels and holding the line as the hosts pushed bodies into the box.

He finished with 15 clearances, 10 possessions won and 14 of 18 passes completed, a numbers line that stood up to Stoke's 33 crosses and 73.0% possession. The visitors' clean sheet owed much to his positioning and timing in the six-yard area.

Because Queens Park Rangers ceded territory and protected the box, Cook's anticipation and leadership kept Stoke at arm's length and ensured the key moments broke his team's way.

Queens Park Rangers visit Oxford United next. Stoke City host Middlesbrough.