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Chelsea midfielder Willian Richard Heathcote

Efficient Chelsea ease past Watford and into the fourth round

Watford held out for a while but the result was inevitable really.

CHELSEA OVERCAME A stubborn first-half performance from Watford to eventually COAST to a 3-0 victory in the FA Cup third round on Sunday.

The Premier League leaders had been frustrated by their Championship opponents during a goalless first half at Stamford Bridge, provoking manager Jose Mourinho into action at the interval.

Mourinho sent on Willian and top scorer Diego Costa at the start of the second half in place of Oscar and Andre Schurrle, and the two had the desired impact as both were involved in breaking the deadlock just before the hour mark.

Costa cut in from the left and passed to Loic Remy, who in turn found Willian and the Brazilian curled a sublime shot into the net from just outside the area.

With the breakthrough made, Chelsea struck a quickfire double blow in the final 20 minutes to put the result beyond doubt.

Remy volleyed in a second after Costa’s shot had been blocked, and Kurt Zouma headed home a pinpoint cross from Cesar Azpilicueta.

Following a busy festive period of four league matches in 11 days, Mourinho made eight changes with only Gary Cahill, Azpilicueta and Oscar keeping their place from the defeat to Spurs.

Watford almost went ahead when Fernando Forestieri saw a shot deflected over and Odion Ighalo fired wide of the target in stoppage time.

The visitors made a bright start to the second half and went close to opening the scoring in the 55th minute when Deeney’s low cross took a deflection off Filipe Luis and was diverted behind by the sharp reflexes of Cech.

Chelsea responded as Bond kept out Drogba with his legs and soon afterwards the home side were ahead.

Costa and Remy combined to set up Willian, who got the ball out of his feet before curling a fine finish into the top-right corner from 20 yards.

Remy then took advantage of a deflated Watford by thumping a 70th-minute volley high into the net, before Zouma rounded off the scoring with a powerful header two minutes later.

Watford had conceded 13 goals without reply on their previous three visits to Stamford Bridge, and in the end this meeting proved a similarly one-sided affair as Mourinho’s side cruised into the fourth round.

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    Mute Darragh Kelly
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 9:41 PM

    Well you won’t be winning any titles with the Rangers anyway butty

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    Mute Ardmore02
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 9:40 PM

    I’ve a feeling they’re going to slip up again

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    Mute Conor Pocock
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    Mar 24th 2019, 5:04 AM

    @Ardmore02: crack a Rodgers character joke. Go on ya know you want you

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    Mute Martin Brennan
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 10:04 PM

    If for no other reason but your management of the most sectarian club in the world I do hope city win the title

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    Mute seancreaven13
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 11:36 PM

    @Martin Brennan: I’d say you’ve quite a few reasons.

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    Mute Macker
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 11:47 PM

    @Martin Brennan: come out ye black and tans

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    Mute Shaun Gallagher
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 10:21 PM

    What about the time you wanted to go to Chelsea. Wouldn’t believe a word you say

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    Mute your boy
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 9:46 PM

    Overrated anyway

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    Mute Virgil Van Rock
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    Mar 24th 2019, 12:29 AM

    Complete legend, how does Scholes, Chadwick, Djemba, etc get mentioned same breath. And great to see him resurrect Rangers again. Deplorable league being won at a canter by 1 club 4 2 long now. Well done Mr. Liverpool

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    Mute Nollaig Elliot
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    Mar 24th 2019, 12:38 AM

    @Virgil Van Rock:

    Ah lad come on ffs. What’s with the Djemba and Chadwick obsession? Every United fan knows they were wasters. The man living in Jupiter knows Scholes was a class act. Try again horse. I was a big fan of Gerrard in his playing days, he’s still hurting bad from the slip, and in fairness, he doesn’t try mask it either.

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    Mute Gary
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    Mar 24th 2019, 3:24 AM

    @Virgil Van Rock: Liverpool fans have the worst opinions on football haha Scholes is miles better than Gerrard and I’m a Barca fan Scholes controlled the game better than Gerrard could have dreamed of doing

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    Mute The Bloody Nine
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    Mar 24th 2019, 4:42 AM

    @Gary: as footballers they were completely different. In my opinion it’s pointless comparing them as they both brought their own separate qualities to Liverpool and United. As a Liverpool fan, I rate Scholes, Keane and Henry as the three best players the league has seen but there’s no denying Gerrard was an exceptional footballer who carried an average Liverpool on his shoulders for many years.

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    Mute Conor Pocock
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    Mar 24th 2019, 5:09 AM

    @Gary: Scholes gets better with each passing year. Never once won the united player of the year.

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    Mute Derek Trotter
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    Mar 24th 2019, 7:11 AM

    @The Bloody Nine: completely right gerrard and scholes two completely differnt players. Scholes as he got older controlled the tempo of the game. Stevie G was roy of the rovers stuff magic moments when needed. In the premiership era our own mr roy keane was the greatest. What a f..king player he was.

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    Mute BC
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    Mar 24th 2019, 11:18 AM

    @Virgil Van Rock: ressurect to what? Well done for MORE SLIPS. Must be contagious, baton to Karius and now to another fall guy NO DOUBT. dropped baton more appropriate!

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    Mute BC
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    Mar 24th 2019, 11:20 AM

    @Virgil Van Rock: Funny how all the best playera in La Liga rated Scholes above Mr. Slippy. Much more natural talent there anyways rather than an overated work horse.

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    Mute Gary
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    Mar 24th 2019, 2:45 PM

    @The Bloody Nine: Nah Gerrard is not on Scholes level simple as that people don’t appreciate Scholes but if Scholes was Spanish he’d be up with Xavi and Iniesta

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    Mute Gary
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    Mar 24th 2019, 2:48 PM

    @Conor Pocock: Judging players off player of the year? Haha

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    Mute Declan g
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    Mar 24th 2019, 5:51 PM

    @Gary: can’t remember too many matches when scholesy grabbed the game by the scruff , yeah great player alright but too quiet , Gerard leagues above him , yeah granted the red lad has more medals etc

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    Mute Conor Pocock
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    Mar 25th 2019, 12:50 AM

    @Gary: it would be unfair to judge people off Balon Dor or PFA player of the year alright. But club player of the year when held in the regard Scholes I think is fair enough. An excellent player nobody disputes but overrated.

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    Mute Johnny O Flaherty
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 9:48 PM

    Oh no

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    Mute Kenthreebellys
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    Mar 24th 2019, 8:17 AM

    Ya spoke too soon Stevie………….sap

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    Mute Kenthreebellys
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    Mar 24th 2019, 8:16 AM

    Ya spoke too soon Stevie

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    Mute BC
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    Mar 24th 2019, 11:12 AM

    Someone should be taking bets on who the NEXT slip guy or fall guy will be that WILL stop that lot taking a title.

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    Mute Kenthreebellys
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    Mar 24th 2019, 8:16 AM

    Ya spoke too soon Stevie, silly sausage

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    Mute Tom49
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    Mar 24th 2019, 1:24 PM

    Apparently Stevie spoke too soon

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    Mute Kenthreebellys
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    Mar 24th 2019, 8:16 AM

    Ya spoke too soon Stevie, silly muppet

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