WATFORD, England, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Nicolas Anelka rescued Chelsea’s FA Cup hopes on Saturday, scoring a hat-trick in a 3-1 victory at Watford when a shock fifth-round exit looked possible.
In Chelsea’s first match since Luiz Felipe Scolari was sacked and with his replacement Guus Hiddink watching in the stands, they fell behind to the Championship (second division) strugglers when Tamas Priskin netted with 20 minutes remaining.
Anelka equalised six minutes later from close range and before Watford could regroup he headed in Ashley Cole’s cross a minute later.
The France striker completed his treble in stoppage time to make Chelsea the first side through to the quarter-finals.
The day’s other ties ended all square with Premier League Blackburn Rovers and Fulham relieved to still be in the competition.
Blackburn were indebted to a last-gasp equaliser from Christopher Samba as they drew 2-2 at home to Championship side Coventry City.
Fulham survived a severe test against another side from the second tier, hanging on for a 1-1 draw at Swansea City.
In the only all-Premier League clash West Ham United drew 1-1 at home to Middlesbrough while Hull City and Sheffield United also ended 1-1.
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