The Hornets' Sensational Start: Dominant Watford Crush QPR 4-0 in Season Opener

Valerien Ismael made a sensational start to his tenure as Watford manager by leading his team to a convincing 4-0 victory over QPR at Vicarage Road. The Hornets were in scintillating form during the first half, scoring all four goals within 43 minutes. This dominant display highlights the doubts surrounding QPR's ability to secure their top-flight status this season under the guidance of Gareth Ainsworth.

Without their first-choice centre-backs Jimmy Dunne and Jake Clarke-Salter due to injury, the visitors were faced with a difficult task. Joe Gubbins, making his full senior debut, and recent signing Morgan Fox struggled to keep up with the dominant home team. The Hornets wasted no time in taking the lead, as Tom Dele-Bashiru found the back of the net just 33 seconds into the game. Imran Louza's exceptional reverse pass caught the QPR defense off guard and allowed Dele-Bashiru to score.

Watford went close to adding a second when Vakoun Bayo met a James Morris cross only for Begovic to claw away his goalbound header.

Louza increased the hosts' advantage when he skillfully curled the ball into the net from outside the penalty area in the 20th minute. Despite Rangers continuously losing possession, Francisco Sierralta and Ken Sema came close to scoring, as they faced relentless pressure from the opposing team.

Matheus Martins capitalized on the pressure as he swiftly positioned himself ahead of Paul Smyth, securing a header into the net from Sema's corner in the 38th minute. Bayo, full of energy, extended the lead to 4-0 just moments before half-time by skillfully finishing a low cross from Sierralta at the back post, exploiting the disarrayed Rangers defense once more.

Bayo came close to scoring a fifth goal in the seven minutes of additional time in the first half. He outran Fox to reach a long ball over the top, but his lob hit the top of the net.

During the break, QPR's dismayed manager Ainsworth made substitutions, replacing Smyth and Charlie Kelman, who had not been performing well, with Sinclair Armstrong and Stephen Duke-McKenna. The team received boos from the packed away end of the stadium after a difficult first half.

Armstrong, an U21 international for the Republic of Ireland, missed a golden opportunity to score for the Hoops as he failed to convert the ball into the net from a difficult angle. This was Rangers' only notable chance in the game.

Shortly after, Watford came close to scoring their fifth goal as Louza struck the crossbar from long range. The impressive player was then substituted along with two others by Ismael, receiving a well-deserved standing ovation from the home crowd.

In the second half, Rangers were able to halt the deterioration when Begovic made two impressive saves, denying Watford. However, it was still a disappointing start to the season for Rangers, as they suffered their largest defeat in a season opener since 2012. It was during that particular season that they faced relegation from the Premier League.