New Delhi: Interim Chelsea manager, Ray Wilkins, travelled to Watford's home of Vicarage Road looking to secure his side a spot in the sixth round.
Newly appointed Chelsea gaffer, Guus Hiddink, had to view the game from the stands on Sunday night, sitting alongside the side's owner, Roman Abramovich. The Blues fronted a side that saw Didier Drogba make his first appearance since the 3-0 drubbing by Manchester United, as well as a debut appearance from youngster Michael Mancienne.
Watford would look to recreate history, looking back to their clash with the Stamford Bridge side 22 years ago, in which they enjoyed a victory over Chelsea by one goal to nil.
First Half
Chelsea started quickly, pumping the ball forward fast enough for Drogba to provide Salomon Kalou with a cross that would have put the visitors in the lead all in under 20 seconds. Kalou was not lucky enough to have his outstretched right peg connect with the cross, and failed to capitalise on the early opportunity.
The first ten minutes of the game saw Chelsea enjoy complete control of the match, the home side looking increasingly out of their depth as they struggled to keep the ball.
Lovely interplay between Frank Lampard and Drogba presented the visitors with another early opportunity. The Ivorian hitman fired a shot at goal, only to see Watford's shot-stopper, Scott Loach, produce a wonderful save to tip the strike over the bar.
For all their possession, the Blues seemed to be lacking a certain sharpness at the front of attack, despite starting an offence that would be the envy of most other teams the world over.
Drogba's somewhat dramatic stumble outside of Watford's box won the visitors a free kick. Lampard stepped up to what would be his second free kick of the match, and was able to lift it over the wall, but only into the arms of Loach.
The nerves of the homeside seemed to calm down a little as the half progressed. The Hornets enjoyed some possession in the Chelsea half, posing a threat in the form of Jobi McAnuff. The Jamacian surged past two defenders only to be hacked down by Alex just outside of the area.
The free kick that followed was not of a high standard, striking the first man in the wall, wasting what could arguably have been Watford's most promising chance of the half.
The intensity of Chelsea's advanced play would not end yet, as Anelka combined beautifully with Drogba. The Frenchman drilled a shot across the goal line, only to have it ricochet off of the back post and back out to safety.
As the half drew to a close, Watford had another chance to test Petr Cech. A corner by the home side found it's way to the back post and onto the head of Grzegorz Rasiak, who forced the Czech 'keeper to parry.
Second Half
Watford started the second half brightly, pressing forward with their chests out, letting Chelsea know that they would not yeild easily. The visitors, aware of Watfords defensive prowess, rattled a succession of shots at Loach from range, forcing the 20-year-old goalie to earn his wages.
It was more of the same from Chelsea well into the second half, until a scrap in the box saw a loose ball fall to an unmarked Michael Ballack at the back post. The German international swiped but only caught air as he completely failed to bury the golden opportunity, and Watford were safe still.
Watford boss, Brendan Rodgers opted to shuffle the ranks slightly as the second half unfolded, replacing Grzegorz Rasiak with Tamas Priskin, and Don Cowie taking Lee Williamson's place.
Priskin had been on the park for mere minutes when he stunned the crowd. The Hungarian striker drove forward, from an arguably offside position, to connect with a lovely through ball and head straight for goal. Cech came out low to clean up the mess, but was audaciously chipped by the Watford hitman, who put the home side in the lead.
The Hornets were allowed to revel in their glory for all of five minutes, as Anelka worked to make his presence known, not once, but twice in the space of 80 seconds. The lanky Frenchman popped up first to produce an acrobatic overhead kick that levelled the sides, then again, literally seconds later, as he headed home from Ashley Cole's left wing cross.
An exceptionally intense couple of minutes had seen Chelsea turn the tables on Watford, in an admittedly deserved comeback - the visitors finally capitalising on their dominance throughout the game.
The game sped into the final minutes, but the pace would not decrease as the end beckoned. Salomon Kalou teed up Anelka once more, who turned and shot low, claiming his hat-trick. The enigmatic Frenchman showcased his importance once more to the team, as he secured their position in the sixth round of the FA cup.
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