QPR 0-1 Watford: Hornets scrape into FA Cup quarter-finals thanks to Etienne Capoue

QPR 0-1 Watford: Hornets scrape into FA Cup quarter-finals thanks to Etienne Capoue
Watford scraped into the quarter finals of the FA Cup with a narrow 1-0 victory over QPR on Friday night.Etienne Capoue struck on the stroke of half-time to dump out the spirited Championship side, who will be disappointed to draw a blank after creating several chances.4

Capoue’s strike proved to be the difference

The Frenchman capitalised on confusion inside the Rangers box, and fired home a well-placed volley into the bottom-right corner.Steve McClaren’s men should’ve taken the Premier League club to extra-time when skipper Toni Leistner somehow missed from a yard out in the dying stages.But the Hornets held on to continue their remarkable season under Javi Gracia. An often stretched affair was consistently played at a high tempo and with intensity, but there were few threats on goal before the 28th minute when, after Ken Sema was dispossessed, Daryl Janmaat seized on the loose ball just inside the area and stabbed narrowly over.When Heurelho Gomes, given a rare start in goal over Foster, then demonstrated a lack of match practice by conceding a corner with a misplaced kick, QPR were almost instantly presented with a fine chance to take the lead and were thereafter largely impressive.The goalkeeper unconvincingly punched the resulting corner to Massimo Luongo, who from the edge of the area controlled possession before connecting well, but shooting narrowly wide of the left post.4

Leistner should’ve scored

Matt Smith then should have found the back of the net when well-placed, but sent a header wide, although he was offside, and, with QPR applying further pressure, Gomes was forced into a fine save.Leading a counter-attack from inside his own half, the influential Luke Freeman carried the ball deep into Watford’s before floating a pass to Nahki Wells, who stretched to shoot towards the bottom right corner where the diving Gomes stretched to tip wide.It was in the first minute of first-half stoppage time that, against the run of play, the visitors fortuitously took the lead.4

QPR’s cup run comes to an end

Jose Holebas’ left-wing corner found Tom Cleverley at close range and the midfielder’s complete mis-hit landed in the path of Capoue, who then optimistically swung at goal and watched as the ball bounced and crept beyond Joe Lumley’s reach and in.Gracia chose not to make any half-time changes and was almost punished in the 62nd minute when QPR again went close.Under minimal pressure Christian Kabasele needlessly gifted possession to Wells with a misplaced pass and the striker nearly capitalised by curling narrowly wide.4

Gracia’s men got the job done

The hosts continued to dominate and created their clearest chance in the 88th minute, but their failure to score summed up their evening.Darnell Furlong met a deep cross at the back post and sent it back across the face of goal to Toni Leistner who was free on the left. The defender slid in on a near-open goal, but somehow missed from a yard out.

---

Chelsea FC: Transfer Rumours & News; Chelsea, Valencia negotiating over Michy Batshuayi loan — report a glimmer of hope appeared in reports claiming that negotiations between Valencia
Michy Batshuayi to return to Chelsea from loan at Valencia

---

FA Cup third round early round-up: Man United edge past Reading, as Brighton and West Ham also win while Stoke left it late to secure a replay with Shrewsbury to a goalless draw to earn an FA
~ FA Cup third round early round-up: Man United edge past

---

England's Fabian Delph called his wife an 'absolute machine' after he travelled home from the World Cup to see the birth of his third child. Delph raised eyebrows with the post-match comment after

---

Paul Heckingbottom is unbeaten in the league since replacing Neil Lennon as Hibs boss. Hibernian manager Paul Heckingbottom has given the club their "identity" back, says former Easter Road
List of Hibernian F.C. managers - Wikipedia

---

As well as Wolves and Aston Villa; Galatasaray, Leicester and Stoke are also said to be interested in the striker. Manolo Gabbiadini and Wesley Hoedt have been loaned out already this month and with Cedric Soares likely to follow, it will be somewhat of a clear out for Southampton if Austin follows suit.
Ex-QPR star Charlie Austin set for Southampton exit after

---

Man Utd news LIVE updates: Ronaldo wage demands, Alexis Sanchez latest, Chelsea revelation MANCHESTER UNITED news - live updates as Alexis Sanchez closes in on a move to Old Trafford.
Man Utd News | Team news, injury updates, transfers, new

---

CHELSEA chief Bruce Buck held talks with Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli in Baku - as stars of the Serie A club have been told Maurizio Sarri will be their manager next season.
Bruce Buck meets Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli in Baku 'to

---

CELTIC have announced they have signed Vakoun Issouf Bayo on a four-year contract, subject to the Ivorian striker passing a medical and being granted a work permit. Bayo, who has cost the Scottish
Celtic sign £2 million Ivorian striker Vakoun Issouf Bayo on

---

Manchester City 3-0 Wolves: Gabriel Jesus double cuts Liverpool's lead at top of Premier League Pep Guardiola's men cruised past ten-men Wanderers and sent an emphatic message to the league
Manchester City 3-0 Wolves: Gabriel Jesus double cuts

---

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Manchester United confirm appointment of caretaker manager The Old Trafford legend succeeds Jose Mourinho in an interim position, and talkSPORT will bring you full commentary
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appointed Manchester United manager

---

'The result would have been different': Watford boss Javi Gracia bemoans lack of VAR after his side are denied first win in six by Lucas Digne free-kick 'If VAR was ready today the result
Everton vs. Watford - Football Match Report - December 10

---

Sheffield United vs Nottingham Forest live on talkSPORT 2

---

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Manchester United interview transcript. The caretaker boss hit all the right notes in his MUTV interview after being named United manager until the end of the season following
Solskjaer tells United players they have fresh start as he

---