Watford may go centre stage

Watford 3 Portsmouth 0: Showbiz though the Elton John connection undoubtedly makes Watford, it has been more than 20 years since they last had their name written up in lights. Now, after this well merited win, they are a two-legged semi-final away from a trip to Cardiff and possible UEFA Cup qualification.

Respite from a 12-match run that included nine draws came for Watford with a 5-2 demolition of Portsmouth's south coast rivals Southampton to book their place in this last-eight tie. Portsmouth's supporters delighted in the turmoil it caused their neighbours, since it prompted an inquest into the management of Steve Wigley. Little did they realise that they would lose their own manager first.

Velimir Zajec, the Pompey executive director was pressed into action as caretaker manager and in his first match succeeded in engineering three points in the unwelcoming surroundings of Bolton's Reebok Stadium. It was Portsmouth's first away win in the Premiership this season.

Watford were determined to cut short the Zajec honeymoon but it was the visitors who enjoyed the first presentable chance. Patrik Berger delivered a swinging free-kick into the area that Linvoy Primus attacked in the six-yard box, stealing ahead of his marker, Gavin Mahon, only to send his shot flashing across the face of the Watford goal.

But Watford's direct approach was not one Portsmouth have had to contend with since their rise to the top flight two seasons ago and it soon caused problems. Neal Ardley lifted a free-kick in from the left and Heidar Helguson showed a striker's touch to turn it into the net from four yards out.

Watford were suddenly enlivened, with Brynjar Gunnarsson's shot from Ardley's corner forcing a goal-line block from Arjan de Zeeuw.

With injuries to Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Zoumana Camara and Lomana LuaLua, Zajec was forced to send out Ricardo Fuller as a lone striker. His isolation turned to frustration as Sean Dyche and Neil Cox pressured the Jamaican in possession to prevent him holding up the ball for support.

That allowed Mahon to build and Ardley was the beneficiary of one ball from which he aimed a header at Jamie Ashdown in the Portsmouth goal.

Zajec returned to a 4-4-2 after the break but he could not find a way to stem Watford's flow of passes into the final third of the pitch. Mahon set Jermaine Darlington free and his low cross escaped everyone in the box except Helguson, who snapped home his second.

Then Helguson turned provider, teeing up James Chambers for a shot.

Though Ashdown parried well, Bruce Dyer was on hand to convert the rebound to spark ironic cries of "There's only one Harry Redknapp" from the Watford fans.

Guardian Service

WATFORD: Lee, Darlington, Dyche, Cox, Doyley, Ardley, Mahon, Gunnarsson (Blizzard 45), Chambers, Dyer (Devlin 79), Helguson (Fitzgerald 88). Subs Not Used: Chamberlain, Young. Goals: Helguson 24, 57, Dyer 61.

PORTSMOUTH: Ashdown, Primus, Unsworth (Griffin 46), De Zeeuw, Stone, Berkovic (Harper 46), Quashie, Taylor, Fuller, Berger, O'Neil (Cisse 90). Subs Not Used: Hislop, Faye.

Referee: D Gallagher (Oxfordshire).