THE FA Cup fifth round battle at Vicarage Road saw the Golden Boys take the lead against the millionaires from west London, but the Blues showed their cup calibre by bouncing back and planting three strikes past Scott Loach.

The game was goalless at half time but Tamas Priskin again showed his striking pedigree after coming off the bench and putting the home side in front.

However, as all too often happens, the Premiership moneybags from Stamford Bridge fought back and ultimately Nicolas Anelka was the difference between the two sides.

His quick-fire strikes brought the scores level and put them ahead, and in stoppage time he put the game well beyond reach for the 'Orns.

In front of numerous television cameras inside the Vic Watford entered the field along with their FA Cup visitors Chelsea for a 5.30pm kick-off that was being screened around the world.

The big team news for the 'Orns was the return of club captain Jay DeMerit; it was his first appearance since his goal scoring exploits in the last round of the FA Cup.

He took the place of new signing Mike Williamson who was cup tied for the fifth round clash.

Some famous faces in the crowd inlcuding Guus Hiddink

In other team news for the Hornets, boss Brendan Rodgers was without the services of loanee Jack Cork, who was unable to play against his parent club.

Midfielder Lee Williamson came in to take his place and started in the centre of the park alongside youngster Ross Jenkins.

For the Blues, former Watford coach Ray Wilkins was in charge after the sacking of Phil Scolari earlier this week.

Up front both Anelka and Didier Drogba started, whilst young England defender Michael Mancienne got the nod to take the place of the suspended John Terry.

Frank Lampard was named as Chelsea's captain in Terry's absence, up against his father of course, who is Rodgers' Football Consultant at Vicarage Road.

With new manager Guus Hiddink watching from the stands, the Blues were clearly out to impress their new boss and had the better of the opening possession and chances.

Within the first minute the visitors strode forward and Drogba's cross to the middle was just missed by the out-stretched Salomon Kalou.

The early pressure continued from the west Londoners and after the ball fell to Ashley Cole his wayward shot went out for a throw-in by The Rous Stand, much to the delight of the home crowd.

Hoskins and Williamson work together against Mikel

Then after further probing from the Blues Michael Ballack drew the ball back in the middle dangerously, but Lloyd Doyley kept his eye on the ball and cleared the danger.

On eight minutes, Watford 'keeper Loach saved from Drogba's pinpoint snap-shot from 25 yards, which was powerful and well struck.

The Hornets were under pressure early on but the scores were still level - on 11 minutes defender Alex headed over the bar.

Down the other end the first real taste of action came from an Adrian Mariappa header for the Golden Boys, the Academy graduate looking for two goals in two games. However Peter Cech was equal to it and got his hands to the ball easily enough.

With 13 minutes on the clock, Lee Williamson fouled Ballack and with the Hornets trying to play the offside trap, they were undone but the danger was cleared up field to Hoskins. 

The home crowd were unhappy with the way Drogba went to ground in the 25th minute - despite the protests from the Hornets, Loach did well to save.

However the Hornets were luckier a few minutes later as Kalou stayed on his feet in the area when he could have easily gone down under the challenge of Tommy Smith. 

The tide started to turn towards the end of the first half as the Golden Boys saw more of the ball and started to inflict some pressure on the Blues.

Frank Lampard Junior tries his luck...

Jobi McAnuff was seeing more of the ball and he was brought down on the edge of the area by Alex. 

It looked as if he had initially failed to beat the man but he regained the ball and popped in a cross that was put behind for a corner. Two balls in followed and Grzegorz Rasiak's header was saved by Cech.

With 35 minutes on the clock, the Hornets had their biggest scare yet as the woodwork was rattled.

A long ball downfield was laid off by Drogba to his strike partner Anelka and he took the ball on and got it out from under his feet to send a shot wide of Loach which hit the post in front of the Rookery.  

At the beginning of the second half Drogba was again causing problems and his swift low shot was well held by Loach.

Then on 50 minutes captain Lampard sent in a low drive that hit the side netting of Watford's goal.

The England midfielder was again at the centre of a neat move as he quickly swept a ball in to the far post but Drogba couldn't fire the ball into the net.

On the hour mark the Blues continued to press the under-siege Hornets and the unlikely figure of Mancienne strode forward and unleashed a shot which flew over the bar - he was making his debut for the Blues at Vicarage Road.

God was clearly smiling down on the Hornets just after the hour mark as Ballack blasted over from a few yards out - it seemed easier for the German international to score.

The Blues were stepping up the gears and the 'Orns had to clear their lines after a few goalmouth scrambles.

Tamas steps off the bench once more and finds the net

Then came the turning point and the Golden Boys getting their noses in front. Despite the visitors putting them under plenty of pressure they broke away and opening the scoring.

Priskin had stepped on in place of Rasiak and after a delightful ball down the left flank from Doyley, the Hungarian bent his run, stayed onside, and lifted the ball over the on-rushing Cech.

Vicarage Road erupted and the striker had made yet another immediate impact after his goal scoring sub appearance against Burnley just days ago.

The Hungarian rolls away in delight

The Blues however got their equaliser and put their noses in front in the space of two minutes, as Anelka grabbed both goals.

Firstly he finished off with an acrobatic effort at the far post after a corner kick in, then he headed past the stranded Loach following a bullet cross in to the penalty box.

The whole game had turned upside down and now the former Premier League champions were back in control and showing why they have such a rich history in this competition in recent years.

With three minutes of added time announced, the Hornets had their best chance of equalising as they broke away with sub John-Joe O'Toole. McAnuff was slipped the ball in the area, but he couldn't even the scores and the chance of the evening went begging in front of The Rookery.

The pain of defeat for the Golden Boys

With that chance slipping away, Chelsea broke down the other end and with gaps appearing as the home side pushed forward, Anelka exposed this and finished the cup affair by driving the ball into the corner of the net for his hat-trick.

WATFORD (4-4-2): Loach; Hoyte, DeMerit (c), Mariappa, Doyley; Smith, Jenkins, L. Williamson (Cowie 67), McAnuff; Rasiak (Priksin 67), Hoskins (O'Toole 76). Subs not used: Lee (gk), Sadler, Harley, Parkes.

CHELSEA (4-4-2): Cech; Ivanovic, Mancienne, Alex, Cole; Kalou, Ballack (Belletti 83), Mikel (Stoch 73), Lampard; Anelka, Drogba. Subs not used: Hilario (gk), Di Santo, Quaresma, Ferreira, Deco.

BOOKINGS: WATFORD; O'Toole (professional foul 85). CHELSEA: A Cole (professional foul 18)

SENDINGS OFF: WATFORD; none. CHELSEA; none.

GOALS: WATFORD; Priskin (69). CHELSEA; Anelka (75, 77, 90+1)

REFEREE: Mr M Dean.

ATTENDANCE: 16,851 (2,300 Chelsea supporters)