London (AFP) – Etienne Capoue’s goal in first-half stoppage time was enough to give Watford a 1-0 win away to Queens Park Rangers on Friday that saw the Hornets into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
Both sides had chances in an even opening period that belied the fact that Watford are eighth in the Premier League and QPR 18th in the second-tier Championship following a run of five straight league defeats.
Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes marked his 38th birthday with several fine saves at Loftus Road as QPR’s Matt Smith and Nahki Wells both went close for the west London club, who needed two matches to see off third-tier promotion-chasers Portsmouth to reach the last 16.
But Daryl Janmaat had a good chance for Watford, the losing finalists in the 1984 FA Cup final, before the visitors took the lead in the opening minute of additional time at the end of the first half when French midfielder Capoue, inside the box, volleyed into the far corner through a crowd of players following a corner kick.
Watford should have doubled their lead with fewer than 20 minutes left.
Troy Deeney played in Andre Gray and the striker rounded the goalkeeper before finishing into an empty net, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside.
Replays showed that it should have stood but, in the absence of a Video Assistant Referee, the score remained 1-0.
QPR, beaten finalists in the 1982 FA Cup final, came close to an equaliser late on when Toni Leistner missed an open goal as he slid in at the back post.
That was as good as it got for a QPR side managed by former England boss Steve McClaren as Watford ran down the clock.
The remainder of the fifth round ties will take place on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, with the quarter-final draw also scheduled for Monday.
