Zouma’s goal caps resounding Blues win

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Chelsea 3 Watford 0

Chelsea cruised into the FA Cup fourth round thanks to second-half goals from Willian, Loic Remy and the impressive Kurt Zouma.

Brazilian Willian came off the bench at half-time and fired a superb shot into the top corner on the hour-mark before Remy doubled the Blues’ lead on 70 minutes.

Chelsea needed the lift from half-time substitutes Willian and Diego Costa after a lacklustre first half saw Remy, Gary Cahill, Andre Schurrle and Didier Drogba all miss excellent chances.

Watford had their own opportunities through Troy Deeney and midfielder Daniel Toszer before young defender Zouma sealed victory for Chelsea with a header late on.

Drogba, included as one of eight changes to the side that lost at Tottenham on New Year’s Day, had the hosts’ best chance of a goalless first half when he headed a Remy cross that was saved by keeper Jonathan Bond.

Schurrle should have found the target when Drogba controlled a long ball forward superbly and found his team-mate in acres of space inside the box, while Cahill flicked over from close range and glanced a header wide of the far post shortly before half-time.

Manager Jose Mourinho handed keeper Petr Cech his eighth start of the campaign and he was called upon to stop Tozser and Deeney giving Championship side Watford the lead either side of the break.

Willian found the net on 58 minutes from 20 yards out when he was teed up by Remy, who volleyed home the second 12 minutes later from inside the box.

Zouma headed Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross beyond Bond two minutes later.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Cahill, Luis; Mikel, Ramires; Oscar (Costa 46), Schurrle (Willian 46), Remy; Drogba. (Ake 80)
Subs not used: Courtois, Ivanovic, Salah, Matic.

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