Jake Livermore scored twice from outside of the area as Watford came from under the cosh to dash QPR’s hopes of easing their relegation fears with a 2-1 win at Loftus Road.
Marti Cifuentes’ men stormed out of the blocks for the second half – after a goalless first – with Hornets goalkeeper Ben Hamer called into action to twice prevent Sinclair Armstrong from breaking the deadlock.
However, Livermore curled a beauty past Asmir Begovic to give the visitors the lead very much against the run of play on the hour mark and then hammered home a second from outside the box five minutes later to take the game away from QPR.
Lyndon Dykes did tap home a Paul Smyth cross to halve the deficit with 13 minutes to play, but Cifuentes’ side could not force an equaliser, despite their bold efforts, to avoid a fifth defeat in six league games.
They remain 23rd, five points from safety, with Watford climbing to eighth, just a point outside the top six.
More to follow…
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Jake Livermore scored two goals in five minutes that were both from outside the area against QPR.
What’s next?
Both teams are back in action at 3pm on Saturday January 20.
QPR host Millwall at Loftus Road, while Watford travel to Ashton Gate to take on Bristol City.
