Watford ride their luck to defeat QPR and advance to FA Cup quarter-finals

Relive all the action from Loftus Road

FA Cup fifth round draw: Chelsea are set to play Man Utd

Watford progressed to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with a hard-earned 1-0 victory over QPR, despite being outplayed at Loftus Road.

Although their team selection again appeared to show a club for whom the competition is not a priority, Etienne Capoue’s gift of a goal put Watford to within one victory of reaching the final four at Wembley – after their Championship hosts had wasted enough chances to build a convincing lead.

Toni Leistner had a brilliant chance to rescue a deserved draw for Rangers in the closing stages but skewed his tap-in wide from all of two yards as the second ticked away.

Relive all the action below.

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[15 February 2019 20:28 · Tom Kershaw]

38': QPR 0-0 Watford

Poor old Gomes. He's only been poked in the eye by Smith on his birthday...

[15 February 2019 20:30 · Tom Kershaw]

41': QPR 0-0 Watford

But now it's only thanks to the Brazilian's superb save that QPR aren't ahead.

As per, it's Freeman who dictates the counter-attack for Rangers, pouncing on an errant pass and driving forward before chipping to Wells.

Wells takes it on the volley, miscues it slightly, but it's still bumbling towards the bottom corner before Gomes flings an arm to turn it around the post.

[15 February 2019 20:36 · Tom Kershaw]

GOAL! 45': QPR 0-1 Watford (Capoue)

Watford break upfield and Holebas' cross is turned away for a corner. The inswinger is turned away by Leistner for a second corner, but this time the ball bobbles through to Cleverly who's poised on the edge of the box. 

The former Manchester United man miscues his shot but the ball ricochets to Capoue, whose low drive beats Lumley and squirms in at the far post.

[15 February 2019 20:38 · Tom Kershaw]

HT: QPR 0-1 Watford

You can't say Watford truly deserved to take the lead, but the Premier League side show their nous to take a slender lead into half-time at Loftus Road.

[15 February 2019 20:54 · Tom Kershaw]

46': QPR 0-1 Watford

And we're back underway at Loftus Road.

[15 February 2019 20:56 · Tom Kershaw]

48': QPR 0-1 Watford

QPR look to start quickly as Smith shrugs off two Watford defenders to win the long-ball. He lays off to Rangers' dangerman Freeman, but the playmaker slips as he shoots and slices the ball well wide.

[15 February 2019 21:00 · Tom Kershaw]

50': QPR 0-1 Watford

Watford are still putting in a pale performance, but QPR have come out looking to take fate into their own hands this half.

They're no longer sitting back and waiting for Watford to come to them, but pressing high up the field and putting the Hornets under constant pressure and forcing them into mistakes.

[15 February 2019 21:02 · Tom Kershaw]

52': QPR 0-1 Watford

Cousins plays a crossfield ball to Smith who seems to win the header every time his feet leave the ground. He nods it down to Freeman who shoots from distance but it's not even close. 

[15 February 2019 21:07 · Tom Kershaw]

55': QPR 0-1 Watford

Watford finally look to impose themselves in this second half as Gray and Hughes combine on the right-hand side, but Lumley is there to collect the cross.

[15 February 2019 21:09 · Tom Kershaw]

60': QPR 0-1 Watford

And now Hughes is brought down by Bidwell, giving Watford a free-kick in a dangerous position. Cleverly whips it in and Deeney is appealing for a hand ball. Nothing given though and Furlong clears the danger.