Heidar Helguson fired Watford into the FA Cup fifth round for the first time
in eight years despite the heroics of West Brom's Russell Hoult.
Hoult's second half penalty save to deny Neil Cox seemed to have earned the
Barclaycard Premiership strugglers a replay.
But Icelandic striker Helguson finally gave the battling Hornets the result
they deserved with an 80th-minute winner to send the home fans in the 16,975
crowd wild.
The Baggies almost grabbed a dramatic late equaliser only for Paul Robinson to
clear a Larus Sigurdsson header off the goal line.
West Brom boss Gary Megson recalled Jason Roberts to the starting line-up
after a one-match suspension, with Scott Dobie dropping to the bench.
Ronnie Wallwork also earned a recall in place of Igor Balis, while Andy
Johnson kept his place despite being sent off in a goalless draw at Leeds last
weekend.
Watford manager Ray Lewington made one change from the side which beat Norwich
2-1, with striker Tommy Smith coming back into the starting line-up at the
expense of Gifton Noel-Williams.
Darren Moore had the first chance for the visitors but his second-minute
header at the far post from a Jason Koumas free-kick was well held by Watford
goalkeeper Alec Chamberlain.
But the Hornets were soon into their stride, competing for every ball and
Marcus Gayle was forced to make a clearing challenge on Roberts, who was bearing
down on goal after receiving Danny Dichio's through ball.
Dichio should then have done better from a Koumas corner moments later, but
his free header sailed well side of the target.
Roberts did have the ball in the back of the net in the ninth minute but his
surging run was rightly adjudged offside.
Koumas was presented with a shooting opportunity in the 16th minute after
Micah Hyde fouled Roberts but his 25-yard effort was waywardly high.
Hyde made amends in the 24th minute with a rasping drive from Neal Ardley's
free-kick, forcing England hopeful Hoult into a fine diving save.
The Baggies goalkeeper was almost caught out minutes later when he hesitated
in possession and was robbed by the nippy Smith, but referee Jeff Winter called
a foul to spare his blushes.
Watford's on-loan winger Jermaine Pennant was a constant menace, and his
right-wing cross in the 31st minute found Helguson attacking the near post, but
his header from four yards flashed just wide.
Hoult needed treatment on the pitch after an off-the-ball clash with Allan
Nielsen, but picked himself up to carry on.
Dichio sent an 18-yard shot on the turn inches over the crossbar following a
strong crossfield run from Koumas - but Watford were the dominant team.
West Brom were looking like a side short on confidence having lost four of
their last five matches away from home.
The Hornets had won just four of their last 14 matches prior to this tie, but
they were playing like a team beaten just twice all season at Vicarage Road.
Watford were back on the attack after the restart, and continued to boss in
midfield where Paolo Vernazza lofted a long-range volley over the crossbar.
Pennant set up Nielsen from six yards in the 54th minute, but the Dane's shot
rebounded off the bar.
But Watford pressure told two minutes later when Smith was brought down by
Moore in the West Brom penalty area.
But Hoult underlined his England credentials, guessing the right way from
defender Cox's spot kick to make an excellent save diving to his left.
The visitors were rocking and worried manager Gary Megson introduced
Sigurdsson for captain Derek McInnes.
But Hoult's sliced clearance in the 73rd minute was almost punished by Nielsen
on the volley - only for his shot to fly narrowly wide of the far post.
Pennant then forced him into another fine fingertip save four minutes later as
the pressure mounted.
And Helguson finally broke the deadlock in the 80th minute after Pennant fed
him a perfectly weighted through-ball on a quick break out of defence.
West Brom fought back, and almost grabbed an unlikely replay from substitute
Sigurdsson - but his header was cleared off the goal line by Paul Robinson.
Teams:
Watford: Chamberlain, Ardley (Mahon 89), Cox, Gayle, Robinson,
Pennant, Vernazza, Hyde, Nielsen, Tommy Smith,
Helguson (Noel-Williams 88).
Subs Not Used: Brown, McNamee, Lee.
Goals: Helguson 80.
West Brom: Hoult, Gregan, Moore (Adam Chambers 84), Gilchrist,
Wallwork, Koumas, McInnes (Sigurdsson 58), Johnson, Clement,
Roberts (Dobie 67), Dichio.
Subs Not Used: Udeze, Murphy.
Att: 16,975
Ref: J Winter (Cleveland).
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