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Rayan Kolli's first-half strike was his fifth league goal of the season Paul Smyth scored one goal and made another as QPR claimed a third successive win to all but end lacklustre Watford's already slim hopes of sneaking into the Championship play-off places. Smyth's clever cushioned header left Rayan Kolli with an open goal to earn a deserved interval lead and set Rangers on their way to a victory that takes them level on points with the ninth-placed Hornets. Harvey Vale, who earlier hit the post with a curling strike, and Kolli both went close to adding to the lead either side of the interval, before the outstanding Smyth blasted in a second from close range. Watford had barely threatened, but moments after their travelling fans had sarcastically cheered just their second attempt on target, Imran Louza's free-kick flew into the net via the slightest of deflections. The goal ensured a nervy finish at Loftus Road but QPR stood firm through four more minutes and six minutes of added time to secure all the points. Championship: Blackburn win to boost survival hopes; Leicester held and Hodgson's Bristol City win The Championship run-in: 24 key questions for 24 clubs Despite the late drama, a confident QPR, who crushed Portsmouth 6-1 in their last game, thoroughly deserved the victory. They could have been ahead inside a minute, defender Amadou Mbengue having an effort ruled out for a foul in the build-up and that set the tone for a dominant first half from the hosts. Watford's sole attempt on goal came from a sharp swivel and instant strike from centre-forward Luca Kjerrumgaard that was parried to safety by R's keeper Joe Walsh. But that was just about all the visitors offered, with the movement and trickery of Vale and Smyth out wide and Kolli up front causing constant menace. The pressure told when, a minute after Vale hit the post with a fine curling strike, his deep far-post cross found Smyth and his cushioned header gave Kolli the simplest of tasks to nod the ball over the line. Kolli almost had a second just before the break when another long cross from the right by former Chelsea winger Vale was acrobatically turned back by Smyth, but this time Kolli was twice denied a goal by scrambling keeper Egil Selvik. Smyth also dragged a shot just wide after cutting in from the left in stoppage time of a one-sided first half. The Hornets briefly stepped up the urgency after the break but, although that led to an increasingly niggly game, their goal threat remained minimal while QPR continued to create chances. Richard Kone almost benefitted from a ricochet in the box to grab a fortunate second R's goal and Vale tested keeper Selvik with a decent low strike before Smyth crashed the ball home from six yards after more good work from the outstanding Vale. Louza's fierce strike brought the Hornets hope but some late pressure failed to bring about an equaliser. QPR boss Julien Stephan on his side's second successive home win: "If I have to compare the two games, I prefer this one to the Portsmouth game [a 6-1 victory], even if the score is only 2-1. "How we played today, defensively and offensively, no comparison for me. I prefer this game. "We deserved to win the Portsmouth game, but probably not 6-1. "If we continue to play like today, we will have a bigger chance of getting more points. " This video can not be played Stephan: 'A top top performance! ' Watford boss Ed Still told BBC Three Counties Radio: "We've given ourselves too much to do in the last part of the game. "We've not defended the box well enough and that's one of the things we have done really well and been consistent with. "But we've not done it today for both goals - and another chance they had. We showed a lack of quality. "Clearly when you have to shuffle your back four game-to-game it weakens your team. That is one of the big explaining factors as to why we have struggled to defend the box. " This video can not be played Still: 'We've given ourselves too much to do' After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 3rd April 2026 at 20: 00 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Julien Stéphan Formation: 4 - 4 - 2 Manager: Edward Still Formation: 4 - 4 - 2 Manager: Julien Stéphan Formation: 4 - 4 - 2 Manager: Edward Still Formation: 4 - 4 - 2 Championship All competitions All competitions All competitions QPR won this exact fixture 3-1 last season, last winning consecutive home league games against Watford between March 1985 and August 1986 (3 in a row). Watford have won three of their last five league games against QPR (D1 L1), as many as they had in their previous 14 (D4 L7). QPR have won 3-1 (against Leicester) and 6-1 (against Portsmouth) in their last two league games, with the latter their biggest victory since January 2020 (6-1 v Cardiff). The Hoops last won three in a row while scoring 3+ goals each time in October 2009. Watford drew 0-0 with Leicester last time out. Since back-to-back draws against Portsmouth and Blackburn in January, the Hornets haven’t had the same result consecutively in their last 11 league games (W3 D4 L4). Watford have gained a league-high 26 points from losing positions in the Championship this season, though only Middlesbrough (2) have dropped fewer points when leading than QPR (5). Attempt blocked. Paul Smyth (Queens Park Rangers) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Harvey Vale (Queens Park Rangers) hits the left post with a left footed shot from the right side of the box. Assisted by Jonathan Varane. Jimmy Dunne (Queens Park Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Imrân Louza (Watford). Edoardo Bove (Watford) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Jonathan Varane (Queens Park Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Edoardo Bove (Watford). Attempt saved. Rayan Kolli (Queens Park Rangers) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Egil Selvik (Watford). Assisted by Amadou Mbengue. Richard Kone (Queens Park Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Edoardo Bove (Watford). Foul by Jonathan Varane (Queens Park Rangers). Pierre Ekwah (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Attempt saved. Jimmy Dunne (Queens Park Rangers) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Egil Selvik (Watford). Assisted by Paul Smyth with a cross. Delay over. They are ready to continue. Delay in match because of an injury Nestory Irankunda (Watford). Offside, Watford. Nestory Irankunda is caught offside. Attempt saved. Luca Kjerrumgaard (Watford) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner by Joe Walsh (Queens Park Rangers). Assisted by Nestory Irankunda with a headed pass. Foul by Rayan Kolli (Queens Park Rangers). Jeremy Petris (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Kieran Morgan (Queens Park Rangers). Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.