Blues Eventually Overcome Stubborn Watford

For the second time in a few days, three different Chelsea players scored in a match, but there was a much happier outcome this time, after the debacle at the lane back on the first day of the year. Mind you, a much-changed Blues still appeared to be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, and consequently they were struggling for the first 45 minutes to land a blow upon a Watford club that must be sick of the sight of Chelsea in the FA Cup by now.

However, just when the visitors' plucky resistance looked capable of earning them a replay at least, they were undone by a brilliant curling effort from Willian, who reminded us that he can score goals, something which he does all too rarely. His introduction along with Diego Costa immediately after the interval seemed to have the required effect of taking Chelsea's attacking threat onto another level. Then, the criminally under-used Remy made the cup tie safe with a shot from close range. His accuracy was quickly followed by a lethal header from big Kurt Zouma who gave a very good impersonation of a classy centre half. Perhaps Mourinho doesn't have to pursue Varane or a Hummels for a replacement for John Terry. It seems that the Blues have a readymade reinforcement in 'Happy' Zouma.

While Remy and Zouma both impressed, the same cannot be said for the withdrawn duo of Oscar and Schurrle. This is now the second time in the last couple of weeks that these two playmakers have been thrust aside at the interval by a clearly unimpressed manager. Oscar needs to prove that he can cut it in mid-winter, while Schurrle will be departing west London unless he can make more impact in the first half of matches in much the way he does when he is hauled on as a second-half substitute. Presumably he wants to be more than just an actor with a supporting role who enjoys a few cameos now and again. Let's hope that Oscar and Schurrle start hitting the heights, or they could be hitting the high road instead. There is simply no room for passengers at a club with the ambition that its owner and supporters possess. 

So Chelsea are through to the familiar territory of the fourth round of the cup. They will now meet the winners of the Bradford City and Millwall replay. Judging by the league positions of those two combatants, there seems little to choose between them in terms of quality. The west Londoners really ought to be cruising into the last sixteen, where it seems inevitable that a few of the big clubs may collide, as they have all been kept apart in the draws so far. Predictably, Brendan Rodgers has been getting all gooey-eyed about the possibility [or likelihood if you're a delusional Scouser] of a Steven Gerrard FA Cup final sentimental exit in May. In the name of humanity, I call upon Bolton Wanderers or any other subsequent team to remove any such romantic eventuality.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have rested most of their first team for the visit of Newcastle this forthcoming Saturday. Mourinho even quipped that Hazard's shin pads have been given the afternoon off! Well, no excuses will be tolerated. The Magpies must be obliterated good and proper, or else the Premiership trophy may be sailing along the Manchester ship canal to the mercenaries at the Etihad. That must not be allowed to happen.

CHELSEA 3 Watford 0; half time: 0-0. Sunday 4th January 2015.

CHELSEA goal scorers: Willian; Remy; Zouma

CHELSEA team: Cech, Filipe Luis, Cahill, Zouma, Azpilicueta, Mikel, Ramires, Oscar, Schurrle, Drogba, Remy. Used substitutes: Costa, Willian, Ake.

CHELSEA LEADING SCORERS:

Costa - 14 goals

Hazard - 11 goals

Drogba - 6 goals

Terry - 5 goals

Fabregas, Oscar, Remy and Schurrle - 4 goals

Matic and Willian - 3 goals

Ivanovic, Ramires, and Zouma - 2 goals