Watford ride their luck to defeat QPR and advance to FA Cup quarter-finals
Relive all the action from Loftus Road
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Your support makes all the difference.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.
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62': QPR 0-1 Watford
Kabasele gifts a glorious opportunity to Wells with a terrible pass out of defence. The forward tries to work a shot from distance, but he can't quite curl it into the far corner and Steve McLaren is furious.
64': QPR 0-1 Watford
It's been all QPR in this second half but they can't keep their composure and pick the right pass in the final third to force the equaliser.
68': QPR 0-1 Watford
Sema wins a corner after a rare break for Watford down the left-wing and again it falls to Cleverly on the edge of the box. The United midfielder takes it on the half-volley but he can't keep the shot down.
72': QPR 0-1 Watford
Subs:
QPR: Hemed and Eze on for Wells and Wszolek
Watford: Doucoure and Mariappa on for Sema and Gray
75': QPR 0-1 Watford
He's only been on the field for a few seconds, but Marriapa, looing to immediately break up play, collects a yellow card for scything down QPR's talisman, Freeman.
80': QPR 0-1 Watford
The tie is getting a bit scrappier now as QPR's urgency seems to be getting the better of them.
Doucoure has had a clear impact since arriving on the field, providing a firm presence in the middle of the park and has taken the game under his reigns.
82': QPR 0-1 Watford
Subs:
QPR: Osay-Samuel on for Hall
Watford: Quina on for Cleverley
86': QPR 0-1 Watford
Quina almost has an immediate impact, linking with Hughes before setting up Deeney for the shot. Leistner is there to make a vital block though.
88': QPR 0-1 Watford
What a miss! Osayi-Samuel was brought down near the touchline leaving QPR with a dangerous free-kick on the left-wing.
Freeman's cross ran through to Furlong, who zipped the ball back across the face of goal. Leistner slid in unmarked at the back post but skews it wide with the whole goal gaping from all of two yards.
That was surely the chance.
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