Charlie Austin scores his 50th QPR goal in 2-1 comeback against Watford at Vicarage Road

Charlie Austin scored his 50th goal for Queens Park Rangers after a scintillating 2-1 comeback over high flying Watford to claim their third consecutive victory away from home at Vicarage Road.

QPR found themselves on the back foot when Troy Deeney smashed home another penalty before Charlie Austin levelled the scoreline with 15 minutes remaining on the clock. Late substitute Albert Adomah sealed all three points for Rangers as he sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Mark Warburton’s side dominated the opening exchanges of the game, despite all their early pressure it was Watford who came closest in the first half when Francisco Sierralta went close as his headed effort was tipped onto the crossbar superbly by QPR goalkeeper Seny Dieng.

Todd Kane found himself at the heart of everything good about QPR as the right back was able to continuously deliver high quality crosses into the box for both Austin and Macauley Bonne to attack. Rangers created an overload down the right-hand side throughout the first half as it looked to be their most likely source of scoring an opening goal in the match.

Watford found themselves on the back foot in the first half and came out fighting in the second as an early spell in Rangers’ half was rewarded when Geoff Cameron fouled Ismaila Sarr inside the area. Who else but Deeney stepped up to the spot and rifled his effort straight past Dieng who was rooted to his spot. This was Deeney’s seventh goal from the penalty spot this season.

Deeney the difference again!#EFL | #SkyBetChampionship pic.twitter.com/AXe3bzshdq

— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) February 1, 2021

It looked like the tie could have been done and dusted given the Hornets defensive record but the West London side had other ideas as they started to regain their domination that they had in the first half. Chances started to come as it looked like a matter of time until QPR got themselves back in the game.

Macauley Bonne came close when he connected with a cross from Lee Wallace but Watford goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann easily relived pressure off his backline, Kane headed his effort narrowly wide with just under 17 minutes to play.

Substitute Chris Willock gave Leicester City target Nathaniel Chalobah the run around on the right flank as he ducked from right to left before delivered a tempting cross that Austin attacked powering his headed effort down into the ground giving Bachmann no chance of keeping his effort out.

The game looked to be coming to an end with both teams sharing a point before Rangers fan Albert Adomah swooped in to claim all three points for QPR. Three substitutions were involved in the move which saw Kane hook his cross into the path of Adomah who coolly dispatched his effort. This was Adomah’s first goal for the club since his move in the summer away from Nottingham Forest.

The result sees Warburton’s side move up to 17th in the table just three points off mid-table Luton Town in 13th position who they beat a matter of weeks ago. It was a positive performance and the right way to kick-off what is a tough run of fixtures for Rangers throughout February, they will welcome Blackburn Rovers to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium on Saturday.

As for Premier League chasing Watford, it is for sure a dent in their promotion credentials as they came into the game tipped as heavy favourites for the game. It seems not much has changed under new manager Xisco Munoz as this Watford side continue to struggle in front of goal with their ridged style of football, they will be looking to get back to winning ways against Coventry at the weekend.

As deadline day has now passed, the two clubs were active on the final day of the window as Watford signed former Bournemouth midfielder Dan Gosling on a two-and-a-half-year contract. In comparison, QPR signed young Sam Field from West Bromwich Albion with minutes to go until the window shut in a loan deal until the end of the season with the option of making the deal permeant in the summer.

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