Given that the side had all of these internationals in the line-up, one couldn't help but ignore the play of Lassana Diarra, signed in the close season, this boy is straight from the mould of Claude Makelele and if Michael Essien thinks that he is heir to the Makelele crown then even he wants to look out. This boy Diarra is class. Reserve team coach Mick McGiven said "I will have to watch the video again, because I am certain that DIarra didn't put a foot wrong all night and did not misplace a pass." Mick, I think you are right.

Chelsea were two up inside nine minutes with goals from Jimmy Smith and Shaun Wright-Phillips. Carlton Cole missed a chance to put the Blues 3-0 up from the penalty spot, when Watford's 'keeper James Beasant (son of Dave Beasant) dived to his right and saved smartly. Before half-time, Chelsea did score a third when unlucky James Griffiths, converted a Glenn Johnson cross into his own net.

A solitary well taken fourth goal from Carlton Cole in the second half, rounded off a very comfortable night for the boys in Blue. Fair play to the Watford lads and believe me they were lads, they did put up a far better show than they did in the first half and also bear in mind that a couple of these lads were involved in the first team's cup-tie the previous night against Wolves.

Chelsea Team:

Lenny Pidgeley, Glen Johnson, Robert Huth, Steven Watt, Wayne Bridge, Danny Hollands (capt), Lassana Diarra, Joe Keenan, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Jimmy Smith, Carlton Cole.

40 YEARS A BLUE