QPR’s Relegation Fears Deepen as Watford Secure Victory at Loftus Road

QPR’s chances of avoiding Championship relegation suffered another setback as two goals by Jake Livermore gave Watford victory at Loftus Road.

The former Hull, West Brom and England midfielder curled the ball beyond Asmir Begovic from 25 yards on the hour mark, and then drilled in his second from outside the box after a clearance from Matheus Martins’ cross fell invitingly to him.

It was only the second time in the 34-year-old’s career that he had scored more than once in a game – his first double came for Hull against Rotherham in 2016.

Sinclair Armstrong carried the main threat for Rangers but it was Lyndon Dykes who reduced the deficit when he poked in substitute Paul Smyth’s cross from close range.

They could not, though, find an equalizer – as Ben Hamer brilliantly denied Jimmy Dunne – and remain next to bottom of the table, while Watford climbs five places to eighth, just one point short of the playoff spots.

QPR were boosted by the return of playmaker Ilias Chair and midfielder Jack Colback from injury, but Ryan Porteous and Ismael Kone were on the bench after illness for Watford, who won 4-0 when the two teams met in Valerien Ismael’s first game in charge last August.

The home side should have been in front inside five minutes when Kenneth Paal’s cross from the left found Armstrong unmarked, but the Rangers forward – who has not scored in the league since August – could not direct his header on target.

Jake Clarke-Salter’s sliding challenge denied Martins a shooting opportunity at the other end, after Giorgi Chakvetadze threaded the ball through, but chances were at a premium as both center-forwards, Dykes and Rhys Healey, struggled to get into the game.

Chair fizzed a free-kick over the bar after Livermore was yellow-carded for barging Reggie Cannon over right on the edge of the box, and Francisco Sierralta headed against the bar at the other end – although an offside decision would have denied him the goal had it gone in.

Armstrong showed his strength and power just before the break with an angled shot which Hamer dealt with unconvincingly, and it needed a brilliant tackle by Ryan Andrews to prevent Chair from knocking the loose ball into the net.

Watford were almost caught cold at the start of the second period as an attempt to exchange passes among their back four resulted in Armstrong dispossessing Sierralta and forcing Hamer into action, before the 20-year-old’s control let him down in a one-on-one and the Hornets keeper was quickly out to block.

The home fans were rocked by Livermore’s double in the space of five minutes, with Jack Colback wastefully sidefooting wide in between the two goals when presented with a chance to equalize.

Dykes eventually found a way through as Watford’s run of games without a clean sheet was extended to 12, but it was not enough to save Marti Cifuentes’ side from an eighth home defeat of the season.

Rangers will try to end a run of seven games without a win when they face Millwall at home next Saturday, with Watford traveling to Bristol City.

QPR boss Marti Cifuentes: “In the second half we had a very big chance in minute one, then another, but unfortunately they took the lead with their first shot on goal. It’s very frustrating, it’s not usual that we concede two goals from 30 meters. We didn’t give up, we tried to push and their keeper made a fantastic save. At the end I would say it’s a disappointing result, but we need to score the chances. We were playing one of the best sides in the league and we dominated. We got really big chances. We need to bounce back.”

Watford head coach Valerien Ismael told BBC Three Counties Radio: “It’s a difficult place to come and get the points, the crowd is very close to the pitch. You have to stay very concentrated and focus on your task. In the first half, we got control of the game and played some great football, but didn’t have the big chance to score a goal. We are very pleased for Jake, he deserved it, he’s a great example for everyone, especially the younger players in the squad. There’s still a lot of games [to go], but it’s important to stay in contact – we have another away game next week, we know it will be tough but at least the win today will give us confidence.”