Watford sting Queens Park Rangers in FA Cup battle
Watford became the first side into the FA Cup quarterfinals as they won 1-0 away at Championship side Queens Park Rangers yesterday.
Etienne Capoue scored the only goal in first-half injury time, firing home on the angle to send Javi Gracia’s Premier League side into the last eight.
‘‘I enjoyed the goal,’’ Capoue said. ‘‘It was teamwork. We worked all the way through the game. We are so proud.
‘‘Everyone is on the same page. The players give everything and they showed today what they can give on the pitch.’’
Against a near full-strength team that had lost their past five league fixtures, Gracia made five changes to his starting XI from last weekend’s win over Everton.
There were few threats on goal before the 28th minute when Watford defender Daryl Janmaat seized on the loose ball just inside the area and stabbed narrowly over.
Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes then unconvincingly punched a corner to Massimo Luongo, who from the edge of the area controlled possession before shooting narrowly wide of the left post to the despair of home fans.
It was in the first minute of first-half stoppage time that, against the run of play, the Hornets fortuitously took the lead. Jose Holebas’ corner found Tom Cleverley and the midfielder’s mis-hit landed in the path of Capoue, who then optimistically swung at goal and watched the ball creep beyond Joe Lumley’s reach and in. QPR went close to levelling in the 62nd minute when Christian Kabasele needlessly gifted possession to Nahki Wells with a misplaced pass and the striker curled narrowly wide.
Watford, who have never won the competition, put the ball in the net again in the 73rd minute, but Andre Gray’s effort was ruled offside, while captain Troy Deeney also had a goal disallowed in the second half as they held on to reach the quarters for the second time in four years.
AP