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Enjoy FA Cup journey, Quique Flores Sanchez tells Watford

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Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores says the 'fans can dream' after his side booked their place in the last eight of the FA Cup

Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores wants his players to enjoy their FA Cup experience after they reached the quarter-finals with a hard fought 1-0 win over Leeds.

The Premier League side needed a Scott Wootton own goal to get past the Championship side and reach the last eight of the competition for the first time since 2007.

And Flores thinks his side fully deserve their place in the quarter-finals following victory over Leeds.

"To win the match is the most important thing for us, and to avoid a replay for us," he said.

Ben Watson, Mario Suarez and manager Quique Flores celebrate their team's 1-0 win
Image: Ben Watson, Mario Suarez and manager Quique Sanches Flores celebrate their FA Cup win

"We were better in the second half than the first half.

"We took control with the ball and we had more attempts.We deserved to go through to the next round of the FA Cup," he added.

Watford midfielder Mario Suarez (L) fouls Leeds striker Mirco  Antenucci (R) during the FA cup fifth round football match between Watford and Leeds
Image: Watford midfielder Mario Suarez challenges Leeds striker Mirco Antenucci

"It's necessary to enjoy and share this experience, it's an amazing journey for us."

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Flores handed starts to midfielder Mario Suarez and striker Nordin Amrabat following their January moves to Vicarage Road and the Spanish boss hailed the duo as important players for his team.

Leeds' Scott Wootton scores an own goal against Watford
Image: Leeds' Scott Wootton scores an own goal against Watford

He said: "They are completely ready to be protagonists in the team and are very important players."

Meanwhile, Leeds manager Steve Evans thought Wootton's own goal was a cruel way for his side to exit this season's FA Cup.

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Leeds manager Steve Evans says the own goal which handed Watford a 1-0 victory was a 'cruel' way to be knocked out

"It's a cruel way to go out," Evans said. "He [Scott Wootton] was distraught out on the pitch. He was standing by the door to apologise, shaking hands with the players and staff.

"I feel for Scott. If he gets that cross 100 times he deals with it 99."

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