Three goals in the opening 22 minutes ensured FA Cup holders Chelsea moved easily into the next round at the expense of ChampionshipWatford, 5-0. Daniel Sturridge scored the first of his brace after five minutes, John Eustace doubled the lead with an unfortunate own goal before a Yuri Zhirkov effort went in off Florent Malouda.
With a little over 20 minutes gone the tie was as good as over.
Frank Lampard made it four with a thunderous drive from distance, and Sturridge completed the scoring after 68 minutes.
Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti would have been impressed with the way his team overcame a raft of first teamers either out injured or on Africa Cup of Nations Duty.
Nicolas Anelka was injured and top-scorer Didier Drogba had recently joined Michael Essien, Salomon Kalou and John Obi Mikel on Africa Cup of Nations duty.
