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The Independent UK

Sport

Tom Kershaw

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

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.

2019-02-15T19:05:02.826Z

Welcome to The Independent's live coverage of QPR vs Watford, with both teams bidding for a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

2019-02-15T19:11:59.920Z

And the teams are in. First up, the home side:

2019-02-15T19:12:31.903Z

Meanwhile, Watford make five changes to their starting line-up:

2019-02-15T19:29:21.193Z

It's Heurelho Gomes’ 38th birthday today and Jack Pitt-Brooke spoke to the cult hero ahead of what could possibly be his last game in a Watford shirt:

How Gomes juggles his faith in Jesus and Bolsonaro

2019-02-15T19:38:08.463Z

QPR manager Steve McClaren spoke to BT Sport ahead of the game:

We have to compete. We need to stay in the game. The key is [Troy] Deeney and [Andre] Gray up front. Can our backs handle them? In the front two we have an outlet. The first thing is making sure the Watford players know they will be in a game. We want to be putting crosses into the box.

2019-02-15T19:46:53.450Z

Watford midfielder Will Hughes:

It is one of the best runs I have been on. It is a good chance for us tonight. There is something special about it [the FA Cup] with the teams who play in it. I'm not taking it for granted tonight. A lot of the Premier League teams have been knocked out by lower league opposition. It's a big chance for us tonight but they will be thinking the same.

2019-02-15T19:48:18.803Z

A minute's applause is now being held at Loftus Road to honour 1996 World Cup legend Gordon Banks.

2019-02-15T19:50:10.090Z

And we're underway!

2019-02-15T19:55:08.970Z

5': QPR 0-0 Watford

It's a scrappy start as neither team manages to take an early foothold. Watford, though, are clearly the slightly more composed.

2019-02-15T19:59:11.330Z

9': QPR 0-0 Watford

QPR are beating Watford to the second balls, but they're struggling to turn tackles into counter attacks.

Watford look to exploit the right-wing via Will Hughes, but the pass into the box is errant and we're still awaiting are first dangerous opening of the game.

2019-02-15T20:03:44.230Z

12': QPR 0-0 Watford

Hughes needlessly slides in on Jake Bidwell, who is somewhat caught off guard and almost career's into the advertising boards by the corner flag. Hughes got the ball, though, despite Loftus Road's rowdy protestations.

2019-02-15T20:04:59.983Z

14': QPR 0-0 Watford

An awkward clash of heads leaves both Smith and Britos needing lengthy treatment, but both are cleared to continue.

2019-02-15T20:07:06.316Z

17': QPR 0-0 Watford

QPR are sitting back a bit now, inviting Watford to try and unpick their defence. So far, it's a tactic that's working, but McLaren's side don't look like countering and you wonder whether allowing such pressure upon themselves to build is the wisest move.

2019-02-15T20:09:33.550Z

21': QPR 0-0 Watford

Another nice opportunity to counter-attack is wasted by Rangers. Watford lost the ball carelessly in midfield allowing QPR to surge forward, but the cross never came, eventually passing all the way back into defence before squandering possession via a route one chuck.

2019-02-15T20:11:14.700Z

23': QPR 0-0 Watford

Luongo finds Wzolek on the right, but Smith has strolled offside, so enticed by a rare glimpse at goal. We're still awaiting our first shot.

2019-02-15T20:15:49.350Z

26': QPR 0-0 Watford

McLaren's side attempt to work space on the left-flank this time, as Bidwell manoeuvres enough space to nip a cross in towards Smith. The striker thinks he finally has a sniff at goal, but is then firmly shut out by a fine intervention from Jose Holebas.

2019-02-15T20:18:33.263Z

28': QPR 0-0 Watford

That spell of QPR possession has provided the zip of energy this game so desperately craved, and it's Watford who retaliate and almost take the lead.

Again, it's Hughes on the right-hand side, who passes to Sema on the edge of the box. The Swede fumbles the ball but it falls to Janmaat whose thrashing shot soars just over the bar.

2019-02-15T20:21:06.036Z

31': QPR 0-0 Watford

Almost an unhappy birthday moment for Heurelho Gomes, who slices an awkward backpass for six towards his own corner flag.

From the resultant corner, Gomes punches clear but only as far as Luongo whose volley flashes just a yard wide.

2019-02-15T20:23:13.806Z

31': QPR 0-0 Watford

Watford just can't quite get out of second gear. They're clearly the better side of the two technically, but they're being bossed out of the game a little by QPR's sheer aggression and urgency.

2019-02-15T20:27:00.673Z

35': QPR 0-0 Watford

Smith, still sporting a bandage from that earlier headclash, latches onto Freeman's cross but with the whole goal to aim at, the striker diverts the ball well-wide of the far-post.

Smith's blushes are saved by the offside flag, but he didn't know it was coming.

Every QPR is coming through Freeman.