Watford 4-0 QPR: Valerien Ismael begins Hornets reign with big Championship win

Watford eased to a dominant win over sorry Queens Park Rangers in Valerien Ismael’s first Championship game in charge of the Hornets.

Imran Louza was given space 25 yards out to curl in a low shot and double the lead in the 20th minute, with Matheus Martins guiding in a looping header and Vakoun Bayo sliding home for the fourth two minutes before the break.

It could have been worse for the visitors, as Bayo almost made it 5-0 with a lob in first-half stoppage time and Louza rattled the crossbar with a dipping effort on the hour mark.

The second half was a much quieter affair with the outcome beyond doubt, although Sinclair Armstrong and Lyndon Dykes both went close to pulling a goal back.

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QPR conceded 71 goals last season – the second most in the second tier – and boss Gareth Ainsworth saw his defence continually carved apart on the opening day of the campaign.

The west London club finished six points above the relegation zone in 20th place in May and, with just two clean sheets in 14 matches since Ainsworth took charge in February, will need a vast improvement to avoid another struggle against the drop.

Hornets blow Rangers away

Watford ended last season in mid-table following relegation from the Premier League and, after selling top scorer Joao Pedro to Brighton, appointed Ismael as head coach in May.

Their first-half performance would surely have exceeded the expectations of the former Barnsley and West Brom boss, with the first two goals going in following slick passing moves.

After QPR keeper Asmir Begovic made good saves to deny Jeremy Ngakia and Wesley Hoedt, a short corner routine allowed Ken Sema to cross for Martins to make it 3-0 in the 38th minute.

Bayo then converted Francisco Sierralta’s ball across the box to give Watford complete control at the break.

Georgian midfielder Giorgi Chakvetadze almost netted a debut goal for the Hornets after coming off the bench, while fellow substitute Ryan Andrews fired into the side-netting from a tight angle.

Watford have only lost once on the opening day of the season over the past 17 campaigns, with that defeat a 3-0 home reverse against Brighton in 2019.

Watford head coach Valerien Ismael told BBC Three Counties Radio:

“Before the game you are always nervous, because you never know what can happen.

“We have a lot of expectation but the boys played exactly like we expected – with a big desire and intensity, especially in the first half.

“It shows the quality in our squad. It was the perfect start for everyone.”

QPR boss Gareth Ainsworth told BBC Radio London:

“It is really tough conceding such an early goal and it really put Watford in control of the game.

“Watford looked a really good outfit and we don’t know if we have just played a promotion favourite or whatever.

“We have got to be more solid. First half we weren’t good enough but second half I thought the shape changed and made us more competitive.

“We are billed as [finishing] bottom of the league and we have got beaten 4-0. Everyone is getting it right so far, but we are going to buck this trend and start winning some games.”