Championship leaders QPR were humbled by an extremely impressive Watford side at Loftus Road as Neil Warnock's team lost for the first time in the league this season.
Rangers went into the fixture 90 minutes away from equalling the club record of 20 league matches without defeat, but they were outplayed by a Hornets side that counter-attacked brilliantly.
Danny Graham scored twice with precise strikes beyond goalkeeper Paddy Kenny, while Jordon Mutch struck with a teasing left-foot cross that eluded everyone.
Rangers had not conceded more than once in any of their previous 10 home league fixtures this season and had defeated high-flying Cardiff in their previous match at Loftus Road.
Warnock unhappy with officials
But Neil Warnock's team trailed by two goals at the break and conceded the third on 48 minutes before Tommy Smith scored a consolation at the end of a largely disappointing performance in front of the BBC television cameras.
QPR's 4-2-3-1 system normally offers plenty of protection to the defence, but they were run ragged by the likes of Graham, Mutch, Will Buckley and Don Cowie as Malky Mackay's side took their tally to 38 goals in the Championship this season, more than any other team.
The evening started well enough for the home side, who almost took the lead when former Hornets striker Heidar Helguson forced a one-handed save from the highly-rated Scott Loach with a crisp strike from 14 yards.
But Watford, who defeated Leicester last weekend to end a run of seven games without a win, soon hinted that they had the ability to cause their opponents problems when Buckley ghosted into the QPR area before forcing a save from Kenny with a low strike across goal.
Buckley should perhaps have placed his shot further away from Kenny, but there were no such problems for Graham, who poked the ball beyond the QPR keeper from eight yards to open the scoring.
The Watford striker had been left completely unmarked as he converted Andrew Taylor's cross and there was more sloppy defending shortly afterwards as Buckley was played through, but once again he could find no way past Kenny.
However, Mackay's team doubled their advantage when Mutch's looping cross evaded both Martin Taylor and Matthew Connolly as they challenged for the ball and nestled in the bottom corner with Kenny caught flat-footed.
QPR's mercurial forward Adel Taarabt had shown occasional glimpses of the brilliance with which he has illuminated the Championship this season and he was inches away from pulling a goal back with a curling free-kick.
But it had been a largely disappointing opening half from Rangers, who struggled to retain possession and were occasionally overrun in midfield.
And Watford went close again before the break after Mutch collected a return pass from Graham at the end of a sweeping move, but his shot was blocked by Clint Hill.
The decisive third goal came minutes after the restart, when the home side's failure to clear their lines was punished by Graham, who took one touch to steady himself after collecting a through ball before shooting beyond Kenny.
Rangers - and manager Warnock in particular - were incensed by the absence of an offside flag but replays suggested it had just about been the correct decision by the referee's assistant to allow play to continue.
Watford's Stephen McGinn appeared to be struck by an object thrown from the crowd as he joined Mutch to celebrate the goal but it seemed as though nothing could knock the visiting team out of their stride.
Mackay demands Watford consistency
Another sweeping break required a brilliant headed clearance on the line from Shaun Derry to prevent Mutch from scoring again, while Graham had a follow-up effort blocked after a low strike had been saved by Kenny.
Skipper Taarabt was substituted before the hour mark but Rangers did not give up and Loach made good saves to deny Jamie Mackie and Hill.
Rangers, who were clearly frustrated by a series of decisions that they felt went against them, also had a penalty appeal turned down after Martin Taylor tangled with Mackie.
The home did eventually score, with former Watford trainee Smith converting a lay-off from Mackie, but the goal came too late to affect the result.
Despite the defeat, the Hoops remain top of the Championship, four points clear of second-placed Cardiff who are away to Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Live text and stats
Friday, 10 December 2010
Npower Championship
Home Team
Score
Away Team
Time
QPR
1-3
Watford
FT
(HT 0-2)
Smith 89
Graham 26
Mutch 30
Graham 48
QPR
01 Kenny
03 Hill
13 Gorkss
15 Walker yellow card
16 Connolly
04 Derry
07 Taarabt (Clarke 59)
11 Faurlin (Orr 59)
09 Helguson (Hulse 70 yellow card)
12 Mackie
21 Smith
Substitutes
24 Cerny,
02 Orr,
05 Hall,
14 Rowlands,
25 Ephraim,
08 Clarke,
20 Hulse
Watford
01 Loach
03 A Taylor yellow card
05 M Taylor
06 Mariappa
12 Doyley
04 Eustace
07 Cowie
11 Buckley yellow card (Deeney 80)
15 McGinn (Sordell 75)
18 Mutch
10 Graham
Substitutes
13 Gilmartin,
02 Hodson,
17 Bennett,
14 Jenkins,
09 Deeney,
20 Sordell,
27 Massey
Ref: DeadmanAtt: 14,079
QPR
WATFORD
Possession
QPR49%
Watford51%
Attempts on target
QPR7
Watford11
Attempts off target
QPR7
Watford5
Corners
QPR8
Watford6
Fouls
QPR12
Watford11
Final Result
Full Time
90:00+5:12 The referee ends the match.
90:00+4:14 Marvin Sordell takes a shot. Clint Hill gets a block in.
90:00+1:05 The assistant referee signals for offside against Tommy Smith. Scott Loach takes the indirect free kick.
88:42 The assist for the goal came from Jamie Mackie.
88:42 GOAL - Tommy Smith:QPR 1 - 3 Watford Tommy Smith gets on the score sheet with a goal from inside the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. QPR 1-3 Watford.
85:50 The assistant referee signals for offside against Leon Clarke. Scott Loach takes the indirect free kick.
84:04 Shot from just outside the area by Marvin Sordell goes over the bar.
83:28 Kyle Walker takes a shot. Scott Loach makes a save.
81:51 Jamie Mackie produces a left-footed shot from close in that clears the bar.
79:40 Substitution Troy Deeney replaces Will Buckley.
77:23 Jordon Mutch concedes a free kick for a foul on Kyle Walker. Clint Hill takes the direct free kick.
76:07 Will Buckley handles the ball and concedes a free kick. Patrick Kenny restarts play with the free kick.
75:01 Unfair challenge on Adrian Mariappa by Rob Hulse results in a free kick. Scott Loach restarts play with the free kick.
75:01 Booking Rob Hulse goes into the referee's book for unsporting behaviour.
74:31 Substitution Marvin Sordell joins the action as a substitute, replacing Stephen McGinn.
71:28 Rob Hulse is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Scott Loach takes the free kick.
70:34 Foul by Jamie Mackie on Martin Taylor, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Scott Loach.
70:16 Kyle Walker has a drilled shot. Martin Taylor gets a block in.
69:16 Substitution (QPR) makes a substitution, with Rob Hulse coming on for Heidar Helguson.
68:10 Corner taken right-footed by Tommy Smith, Heidar Helguson takes a shot. Save by Scott Loach. Corner taken by Tommy Smith from the right by-line, Heidar Helguson challenges Martin Taylor unfairly and gives away a free kick. Scott Loach takes the free kick.
65:46 Heidar Helguson takes a shot. Scott Loach makes a save.
64:59 The assistant referee signals for offside against Leon Clarke. Scott Loach restarts play with the free kick.
64:25 Shot by Stephen McGinn. Patrick Kenny makes a save.
64:03 The assistant referee flags for offside against Andrew Taylor. Free kick taken by Patrick Kenny.
62:21 John Eustace concedes a free kick for a foul on Heidar Helguson. Tommy Smith fires a strike on goal direct from the free kick.
61:46 John Eustace concedes a free kick for a foul on Shaun Derry. Patrick Kenny restarts play with the free kick.
60:46 Booking Andrew Taylor is cautioned by the ref for time wasting.
58:19 Substitution Adel Taarabt leaves the field to be replaced by Leon Clarke.
58:03 Substitution Alejandro Faurlin goes off and Bradley Orr comes on.
55:51 Free kick awarded for a foul by Alejandro Faurlin on Stephen McGinn. Don Cowie takes the free kick. Jordon Mutch takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Save by Patrick Kenny. Danny Graham takes a shot. Blocked by Matthew Connolly. Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Jordon Mutch from the right by-line, clearance by Tommy Smith.
55:06 Jamie Mackie is ruled offside. Scott Loach restarts play with the free kick.
53:57 Clint Hill concedes a free kick for a foul on Will Buckley. Scott Loach takes the free kick.
Correction - 52:28 Jordon Mutch takes a shot. Shaun Derry makes a clearance.
52:28 Jordon Mutch takes a shot. Clearance by Clint Hill.
51:54 Clint Hill takes a shot. Blocked by Martin Taylor. Adel Taarabt decides to take a short corner.
50:34 Foul by Matthew Connolly on Stephen McGinn, free kick awarded. Free kick crossed by Don Cowie.
50:34 Booking Kyle Walker receives a caution.
47:09 Assist on the goal came from Stephen McGinn.
47:09 GOAL - Danny Graham:QPR 0 - 3 Watford Goal scored by Danny Graham from inside the penalty area to the bottom right corner of the goal. QPR 0-3 Watford.
46:34 Heidar Helguson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on John Eustace. Scott Loach takes the direct free kick.
46:12 Danny Graham is ruled offside. Indirect free kick taken by Patrick Kenny.
45:28 Stephen McGinn gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Shaun Derry. Free kick taken by Patrick Kenny.
45:01 The match restarts for the second half.
Half Time
45:00+3:07 The referee calls an end to the first half.
45:00+1:04 Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Jordon Mutch played to the near post, Shaun Derry manages to make a clearance. Jordon Mutch takes the outswinging corner, Clint Hill manages to make a clearance.
45:00+0:03 Jordon Mutch takes a shot. Blocked by Clint Hill.
44:07 Outswinging corner taken by Adel Taarabt, John Eustace manages to make a clearance.
42:05 Shot from just outside the area by Adel Taarabt misses to the right of the target.
40:57 Effort on goal by Jordon Mutch from just inside the area clears the crossbar.
38:54 Foul by Will Buckley on Clint Hill, free kick awarded. Adel Taarabt shoots direct from the free kick.
38:54 Booking Booking for Will Buckley.
37:18 Foul by Heidar Helguson on Adrian Mariappa, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Scott Loach.
36:55 Free kick awarded for a foul by Martin Taylor on Kaspars Gorkss. Patrick Kenny takes the direct free kick.
34:58 The referee blows for offside. Patrick Kenny takes the indirect free kick.
34:10 Free kick awarded for a foul by John Eustace on Adel Taarabt. Free kick taken by Patrick Kenny.
33:00 Inswinging corner taken by Jordon Mutch from the left by-line, Close range headed effort by Martin Taylor misses to the right of the target.
32:30 Danny Graham takes a shot. Blocked by Matthew Connolly. Jordon Mutch decides to take a short corner.
32:05 Heidar Helguson concedes a free kick for a foul on Jordon Mutch. Direct free kick taken by Andrew Taylor.
29:04 The assist for the goal came from Lloyd Doyley.
29:04 GOAL - Jordon Mutch:QPR 0 - 2 Watford A goal is scored by Jordon Mutch from 30 yards to the bottom left corner of the goal. QPR 0-2 Watford.
28:45 Danny Graham takes a shot. Save by Patrick Kenny.
28:10 Jamie Mackie challenges Jordon Mutch unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Andrew Taylor.
27:06 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jamie Mackie by Adrian Mariappa. Adel Taarabt crosses the ball in from the free kick. Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Adel Taarabt from the left by-line, save by Scott Loach.
26:36 The assistant referee signals for offside against Heidar Helguson. Scott Loach restarts play with the free kick.
25:20 Assist on the goal came from Andrew Taylor.
25:20 GOAL - Danny Graham:QPR 0 - 1 Watford Danny Graham finds the back of the net with a goal from close in to the bottom left corner of the goal. QPR 0-1 Watford.
23:21 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Heidar Helguson by John Eustace. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Adel Taarabt.
21:57 Corner taken by Adel Taarabt, Adrian Mariappa makes a clearance.
21:10 Effort from outside the penalty box by Don Cowie goes wide left of the goal.
19:54 The offside flag is raised against Heidar Helguson. Scott Loach takes the free kick.
16:57 Heidar Helguson produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide right of the goal.
15:57 A cross is delivered by Jamie Mackie, save made by Scott Loach.
15:17 Corner taken by Jordon Mutch from the right by-line, Heidar Helguson manages to make a clearance.
11:49 Corner taken by Adel Taarabt, Heidar Helguson takes a shot. Scott Loach makes a save.
10:23 Will Buckley takes a shot. Save made by Patrick Kenny.
6:20 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Adel Taarabt by Jordon Mutch. Patrick Kenny takes the free kick.
5:44 Foul by Jamie Mackie on Don Cowie, free kick awarded. Scott Loach restarts play with the free kick.
4:31 Heidar Helguson takes a shot. Scott Loach makes a save. Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Adel Taarabt.
3:49 Jamie Mackie produces a left-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide right of the target.
3:02 Free kick awarded for a foul by Adel Taarabt on Adrian Mariappa. Direct free kick taken by Scott Loach.
1:03 Lloyd Doyley concedes a free kick for a foul on Heidar Helguson. Direct free kick taken by Clint Hill.
0:00 The game gets underway.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association.
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?