00:00The final fixture of 2024, Queen's Park Rangers and Watford get the new year underway early.
00:06Rangers looking to build on a recent revival that has edged them clear of the relegation places.
00:12Jack Colbach is back on the bench, having been sidelined since September with a knee injury.
00:21Watford show four changes from their surprise defeat to Cardiff City on Sunday.
00:27Francisco Sierra Alta, Jeremy Ngakia and Tommins all come in, whilst Quadwo Bar is back from a one-match bam.
00:38The new year starts here for Queen's Park Rangers and Watford.
00:46Pontius might count himself a little bit unfortunate in the concession of the free kick.
00:51As Queen's Park Rangers have taken cleverly and there to finish it is Frey.
00:57Back in the starting line-up and back on the score sheet already inside the opening five minutes.
01:05And some start to the new year for Queen's Park Rangers.
01:08Really well worked set-piece though.
01:11Cut back into space by Morgan for Frey to finish it off and to score his fourth goal of the season.
01:18He's afforded a bit too much space in there for Watford's liking, certainly.
01:28Immediately on for him ahead of him.
01:31Prioritise his possession.
01:34Sissoko.
01:34He's on the charge here.
01:38And he has support from Cech Votanta, a couple in the penalty area as well.
01:41He was trying to cut it back towards Bayou.
01:45Rangers rapidly got players back in position.
01:48Cech Votanta will try again, takes it on himself.
01:52Enforces the intervention from Paul Nadi.
01:54What's likely to be a difficult day for the goalkeepers in these conditions.
01:58Cech Votanta was at a score at last time out.
02:04Here's Ince.
02:09Ince takes it on, on target, but straight at the goalkeeper really.
02:14Nadi not extended by it.
02:16Ince to Cech Votanta and back again.
02:18Lovely little touch from the Georgian ones more right on cue.
02:24Ince trying to force his way through.
02:26He's frustrated.
02:2611 goals they've let in in the first 10 minutes of championship matches now.
02:35He's cleared away only as far as Ilias to share.
02:39They whip it back in menacingly and in for 2-0.
02:44Queen's Park Rangers double their lead.
02:47Thanks to Jimmy Dunn.
02:50Who scores in back-to-back games at Loftus Road.
02:52Watford undone by another set-piece, albeit in different circumstances at either end of the half.
03:01Second phase this time when Cech Votanta was able to return it.
03:07Lovely ball in.
03:07Real quality on the cross from Ilias Chair.
03:14That's what Rangers have missed for much of this season.
03:17An element of misfortune surrounding both of the goals.
03:31Portis in particular at the centre of the story.
03:35For each of them.
03:36Well received.
03:36Denied the chance to go back to his goalkeeper here by Frey.
03:39Last minute of the first 45.
03:45Sierra Alta.
03:46Watford need something in soon if they're to change the mood before the break.
03:51And Gekia advancing.
03:53Fizzing it in.
03:53Good ball for Bayo.
03:54Big chance in the circumstances.
03:57Goes wide from Vacuum Bayo.
03:58He was able to advance and send in a teasing delivery that may be merited more.
04:07Just got his angles wrong there.
04:10Cech Votanta's corner.
04:12Out by Dunne.
04:14Iliad with the post in the process.
04:16But he did get the job done in completing the clearance.
04:19And what proves to be the last action of a first half in which Michael Frey put Queen's Park Rangers in front inside the opening five minutes.
04:27Dirty check for Tabsert.
04:32And it gets us off and underway once more.
04:35Queen's Park Rangers on course as it stands for a fourth straight home win in the championship.
04:41This chair.
04:43Paying particularly tight attention to Iliad's chair.
04:48Lovely feet.
04:50In towards Frey.
04:51Goalkeeper should get there.
04:52Didn't get enough on it.
04:53Back by Smith.
04:55And still the chance which is blazed over.
04:57Has been a fixture since his summer signing from Sporting Heon.
05:03He was given a breather on the bench in the last game.
05:06Having started the previous five.
05:07He's played in each of the last 15 matches now since serving a suspension earlier in the season.
05:12This is going to come the way of Czech for Tabsert.
05:18And that could spell trouble for QPR.
05:21Still the check for Tabsert.
05:23Bar and in.
05:25And maybe right back in the game against the balance of play.
05:30He found himself in the right place to pick up the pieces.
05:33A little bit of fortune how it fell away initially of Georgie Cech for Tabsert.
05:41But he did brilliantly with it.
05:43And it deflects in off Kenneth Powell.
05:44On target though from Quadwopark.
05:47And the deficit halved.
05:52But it was a crucial touch off Powell wasn't it.
05:55It didn't change the course of the ball too significantly.
05:58But it did help.
06:01The cool heads required by Queen's Park Rangers here.
06:04Here goes Smith.
06:10And still Smith hangs it in.
06:12Oh it's 3-1.
06:14They have responded straight away.
06:17And it's the stand-in skipper who scored the goal.
06:20Sam Field heads home.
06:24Only his third goal of the season.
06:27The first two having come last month here against Oxford.
06:30Smith deserves so much of the credit.
06:36For his run and cross.
06:39Dinked it in delightfully.
06:40But there was still a lot to do for Sam Field.
06:43Who made it his.
06:46Got to it just ahead of Porteous.
06:49To steer it.
06:52Shoving continues.
06:53Porteous dishing it out as well as being on the receiving end.
06:56Check for Tabsert's corner.
06:57Big chance for Porteous.
06:58And he couldn't get his angle right from there.
07:02Looking for Collie.
07:04And there's Ronnie Edwards.
07:06Reaching on today.
07:07Having made that lone move from Southampton.
07:11Now Smith.
07:12On the search.
07:14And he couldn't quite find the finish.
07:16He was able to.
07:17And behind it.
07:17Big kick given here.
07:22And I think the referee is reaching for his pocket again.
07:24He's doing so far more frequently.
07:27In the closing stages now.
07:28Steve Martin.
07:29Ship season until now because of that injury.
07:31Put it back.
07:37Put it back.
07:40There's space here.
07:42For Cordwo Bar.
07:43And he is able to bring it down.
07:44He's got Bayou in the middle.
07:45And Gacki trying to get there as well.
07:46Takes the shot on.
07:47And thumps it.
07:48Against the frame of the goal.
07:49And that really would have given Rangers something to think about.
07:56Heading in to stop it's time.
07:57Nardi was beaten by the pap.
08:01Kayembe did well to get a foot in.
08:02Here's check for Tabsa as it came his way.
08:06Still a check for Tabsa who's away from Ashby.
08:08Tried to improvise.
08:10With the cross.
08:11Out only as far as Ebersele.
08:14And now Kayembe.
08:15A little bit of pinball.
08:16A foul favourite blick for Queen's Park Rangers.
08:25Towards Bayou.
08:27And got a foot in.
08:28Kenneth Callaway.
08:30Rangers have been resilient really when required.
08:35Queen's Park Rangers start the new year in style.
08:39With a fourth successive home win in the championship.
08:42To maintain their momentum into 2025.
08:47To maintain their momentum into 2025.
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