West Ham United's FA Cup third-round clash with Queens Park Rangers was overshadowed by a distressing incident as defender Konstantinos Mavropanos was stretchered off with a serious head injury.
Worrying Scenes at Loftus Road
The concerning moment occurred just before half-time on Sunday, 11 January 2026, during the Emirates FA Cup tie. The 28-year-old Greek international required lengthy medical treatment on the pitch following a clash of heads as he challenged for a corner in the QPR penalty area.
After several minutes of attention from medical staff, a stretcher was brought onto the field. Mavropanos was carefully secured and carried down the tunnel, casting a shadow over the cup fixture at Loftus Road.
Messages of Support and Match Impact
In a show of sportsmanship, Queens Park Rangers swiftly sent a public message of support to the injured player. The club posted: “Into added time after lengthy treatment for West Ham’s Mavropanos. We wish him well.”
The injury led to nine minutes of added time at the end of the first half. Mavropanos was replaced by Spanish midfielder Pablo Fornals. In a dramatic twist during that stoppage time, West Ham took the lead through a goal from Crysencio Summerville, who fired past QPR goalkeeper Joe Walsh.
Nuno's Focus Amidst a Tough Run
The injury blow comes as West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo had spoken before the game about hoping an FA Cup run could revitalise his struggling squad. The Hammers entered the match without a win in their previous ten games across all competitions.
“We’re in a tough situation, and we’re aware of that,” Nuno admitted. “But at the same time, we have to be aware that there are still 17 games to play in the Premier League. We have a lot of football still to play.”
He emphasised the importance of focusing on day-to-day work and saw the cup as a vital opportunity. “It’s a good chance to win a football match, which is what we need. Things change when you’re winning. You recover faster, and you are more happy,” the Portuguese manager stated, highlighting the psychological boost a victory could provide.
The team's immediate focus will now be on Mavropanos's recovery, with a Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur looming next week.
