Nicolas Anelka rescued Chelsea's FA Cup hopes on Saturday, scoring a hat-trick in a 3-1 victory at Watford to avoid a shock fifth-round exit.
In their first match since Luiz Felipe Scolari was sacked and with replacement coach Guus Hiddink watching in the stands, Chelsea fell behind to the Championship (second division) strugglers when Tamas Priskin netted with 21 minutes remaining.
Priskin's goal came completely against the run of play but Anelka equalised six minutes later from close range and before Watford could regroup he headed in a cross two minutes 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 team 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.
MUDDY PITCH
Chelsea were on top on an awkward, muddy pitch but Hungarian substitute Priskin sprang their offside trap and kept his nerve to lift a delicate shot over on-rushing keeper Petr Cech.
Watford keeper Scott Loach was in inspired form to deny Didier Drogba, recalled to the team by stand-in coach Ray Wilkins, and Frank Lampard.
Michael Ballack also prodded the ball over an empty goal for the visitors.
Anelka finally broke through with an acrobatic overhead kick before settling Chelsea nerves by converting a centre from Ashley Cole.
The Frenchman then shot through a defender's legs in stoppage time to send the visiting fans home happy.
On Sunday, Manchester United visit Derby County and Everton host Aston Villa. Arsenal are at home to Cardiff City in a fourth-round replay on Monday.
English FA Cup fifth round results
(II denotes Championship (second division) team).
Blackburn Rovers 2 Coventry City (II) 2
Sheffield United (II) 1 Hull City 1
West Ham United 1 Middlesbrough 1
Swansea City (II) 1 Fulham 1
Chelsea 3 Watford 1
Playing on Sunday
Everton v Aston Villa
Derby County (II) v Manchester United
Fourth round replay
Playing on Monday
Arsenal v Cardiff City (II)
Premier League result
Portsmouth 2 Manchester City 0