Hiddink sees hat-trick hero Anelka fire up Chelsea

Nicolas Anelka scored a late hat-trick as new Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink saw his side recover from a goal down to beat Championship strugglers Watford 3-1 in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday.

Watford substitute Tamas Priskin had sent the Hornets into a shock lead on 69 minutes, but two goals in two minutes from French striker Anelka soon after and a third strike in injury time sent Chelsea into the quarter finals.

Dutchman Hiddink, set to combine his Chelsea duties with his current job as manager of the Russian national side, officially takes over on Monday but he was in the stands next to Chelea’s billionaire Russian owner Roman Abramovich for the match at Vicarage Road.

Ray Wilkins, who was assistant to Luiz Felipe Scolari prior to the Brazilian’s sacking, took charge for the tie against a Watford team who are flirting with relegation to League One, English football’s third tier.

Chelsea axed Scolari on Monday after only eight months in charge, with the Blues seven points behind Manchester United at the top of the Premier League.

Chelsea, captained by Frank Lampard in the absence of the suspended John Terry, started with a strong line-up as the side also featured Didier Drogba and Michael Ballack.

However there was also a place in the side for English youngster Michael Mancienne, making his debut for the visitors at right-back, in place of the injured Jose Bosingwa.

Watford manager Brendan Rodgers knew all about his opponents, having managed the Chelsea reserve side before coming to Vicarage Road in November. Rodgers is assisted in his new role by Frank Lampard senior, father of the Chelsea and England midfielder. Another twist to Saturday’s game was that Wilkins has been a coach at Watford.

Chelsea attacked from the start — the Ivory Coast international Drogba ran free down the right flank but his cross evaded Salomon Kalou at the far post.

The Blues continued to push forward and in the eighth minute a long range shot from Drogba was punched away for a corner by Watford goalkeeper Scott Loach.

Watford’s first opportunity to score came in the 12th minute but a header from Tommy Smith was comfortably saved by Petr Cech.

Chelsea fought back and a free-kick by Lampard was again fisted away by Loach, before the young keeper scooped up another effort from Drogba.

Anelka then forced his way into the Watford box after a Drogba flick-on but his scuffed shot clipped Loach’s right post.

The second half began brightly for Chelsea as Lampard fizzed a long-range shot wide, Loach then saved well to deny Drogba before German midfielder Ballack scooped an effort over the bar from six yards.

Against the run of play, Watford took the lead in the 69th minute.

Defender Lloyd Doyley threaded a pass down the left to an unmarked Priskin, who collected the ball and chipped Cech who had run from his goal-line in a bid to clear the danger.

Chelsea’s response was quick thanks to a quick-fire double from Anelka.

First the Premier League’s top scorer hooked home a Lampard corner via a flick-on from Branislav Ivanovic. Moments later he put Chelsea 2-1 in the lead after nodding home from close-range a cross from Ashley Cole.

Jobi McAnuff had a glorious chance to make it 2-2 after running clear of the Chelsea defence and collecting a through ball, but his low shot from inside the area was smothered by Cech.

Chelsea immediately went up the other end and killed off any chance of a replay at Stamford Bridge as Anelka, collecting a pass from Kalou parallel with the penalty spot, slotted past a stranded Loach in injury time.