How we scored Watford in their FA Cup win at Queens Park Rangers

The 1-0 win at Queens Park Rangers was a game where the Hornets' defensive and battling qualities were the brightest elements of their game as Etienne Capoue's strike in first-half stoppage time proved enough to see his side into the last eight.

Here's how we scored the visitors to Loftus Road:

Heurelho Gomes – 7

Watford’s FA Cup goalkeeper has still yet to be beaten in this year’s competition after celebrating his 38th birthday with another clean sheet. The popular stopper had a relatively quiet game in terms of shot stopping – apart from one good save when Nakhi Wells cut a volley back across him – but he had to deal with numerous deliveries into the box. Gomes claimed well when deciding to catch and was decisive when choosing to punch, although fortune was on his side a couple of times when he didn’t get sufficient distance. His goal celebration was a joy to behold.

Daryl Janmaat – 6

The right-back had a reasonable evening for the most part and wasn’t far away from giving his side a first half lead after a driving run forward and getting a break after trying to play a give-and-go with Ken Sema. But the Dutchman was caught ball watching near the end when Toni Leistner ran off him and really should have taken the tie into extra-time.

Christian Kabasele – 6.5

A good return to the starting XI, winning his share of headers, blocks and challenges. But…and his but was when he carelessly gave the ball away to Wells and the striker wasn’t far away from punishing the mistake by curling a shot into the far corner.

Miguel Britos – 8

My man of the match. Shook off an early clattering of heads with Matt Smith to produce an impressive display against the physically imposing striker. The centre half won plenty in the air, was calm under pressure and was pivotal in the Hornets retaining their defensive organisation. A level of performance that is at least pushing hard for a return to the Premier League starting line-up.

Jose Holebas – 6

The left-back might have expected to have been given the night off in different circumstances, but with a 10-booking-enforced absence from the next two league games to come his experience was more than useful in ensuring the Hornets stood firm. Produced a typical display without being able to influence as many attacks as he perhaps would have liked. He’s another one with a ‘but’ against his name though, after his sloppy pass led to the counter attack from which Wells forced Gomes into his good save.

Will Hughes – 5

Struggled to influence the game offensively but a performance that wasn’t lacking for effort and he once again weighed in on the defensive side. The midfielder had more of an impact after the break at the times when the Hornets lifted their tempo.

Tom Cleverley – 6

Like Hughes in many ways because he was always trying to affect the game even if things weren’t really coming off for him. Was tidy in possession for the most part and finished with an inadvertent assist to his name. His midfield partnership with Capoue is solid, but it lacks dynamism with slow build-up play the frequent outcome.

Etienne Capoue – 7

Watford’s stand out performer outside of the defenders. The manner with which he took his goals in many ways illustrates how he plays the game – with calmness. The Frenchman’s passing wasn’t always at its crisp best, but he was always looking to kick-start play and dug in when necessary.

Ken Sema – 5

Another solid outing defensively, but another game where one was left feeling there is more to come going forward. Produced one eye-catching turn in the second half when he drove at the QPR defence, but that wasn’t seen often enough.

Troy Deeney – 6.5

Battled, scrapped, dug in and did a lot of the ugly stuff well on a night when his experience and leadership qualities again came to the fore, not least with his game management in the closing stages. One blocked shot apart, had no chances to speak of, but should have claimed an assist when his good pass led to Andre Gray incorrectly having a goal chalked off for offside.

Andre Gray – 6

Always alert and on the move looking for opportunities, as illustrated when he latched on to Deeney’s pass and rounded Joe Lumley, only to see a flag raised. But no fault of his that he was working off scraps for the most part.

Substitutes

Abdoulaye Doucuoure – 6.5

Replaced Gray after 73 minutes and his introduction helped nullify much of Rangers threat when Javi Gracia opted to switch to three at the back, giving his side a more composed look in the centre of the park. Was booked for chopping down Bright Osayi-Samuel.

Adrian Mariappa – 6

Came on at the same time as Doucoure, replacing Sema, to play on the right side of the back three. Was also cautioned during his relatively short time on the pitch, but his experience and calmness helped see the Hornets over the line

Domingos Quina – N/A

Replaced Cleverley with seven minutes of normal time remaining.