Old friends are best for Rodgers as Hornets set to host Blues

BRENDAN RODGERS has been given an early opportunity to show his former employers what they are missing after Watford were drawn at home to Chelsea in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Rodgers spent four years as youth and reserve coach at Stamford Bridge before leaving to take the managerial reins at Vicarage Road in November.

The 38-year-old will not be the only familiar face for the visitors with Frank Lampard Sr, father of Chelsea’s England midfielder, currently employed as Rodgers’ football consultant.

Captain Jay DeMerit, who netted his first FA Cup goal in Saturday’s 4-3 fourth-round win over Crystal Palace, believes the occasion will be one for the Hornets to relish.

“It’s a tough game of course but this is what we play for. Ever since I’ve been here we’ve never been short of cup runs and it’s always good to get in these situations.”

The Hornets are the third successive Football League opponents for Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side, who beat Ipswich comfortably but needed a replay to see off Southend in the third round.

Fourth-round heroes Swansea, who deservedly knocked out holders Portsmouth, will be chasing another Premier League scalp when Fulham come to visit, and midfielder Leon Britton is confident they can reach the last eight.

He said: “It’s not a bad draw. It would have been nice to get a top-four club but after that you want a home draw and we’ve got someone in Fulham we’ve got a realistic chance of beating.”

In the only all-Premier League tie, in-form West Ham, who eased past Hartlepool 2-0, will take on Middlesbrough — 2-1 winners over Wolves. The draw will bring back memories of 2006 for the Hammers, who beat Boro in the semi-finals before losing to Liverpool on penalties in a thrilling final.

The other definite tie sees Hull, victors over Millwall yesterday in a match marred by crowd trouble, travel to Sheffield United, who knocked out Charlton 2-1.

Derby have the incentive of a third cup match against Manchester United this season to take into their replay with Nottingham Forest.

Coventry know they will face Premier League opposition with the winners of the replay between Sunderland and Blackburn hosting Chris Coleman’s side.

Liverpool and Aston Villa will meet in a clash of the Champions League chasers if they can win their respective replays against Everton and Doncaster.

Cardiff, who were beaten in last season’s final, earned a money-spinning replay with Arsenal at the Emirates yesterday and the winner of that match will host either West Brom or Burnley in the fifth round.

5th round draw: Cardiff/Arsenal v West Brom/Burnley; Derby/Nottm Forest v Man Utd; Liverpool/Everton v Doncaster/Aston Villa; Sheff Utd v Hull; Sunderland/Blackburn v Coventry; Swansea v Fulham; Watford v Chelsea; West Ham v Middlesbrough.

* Matches to be played over the weekend of February 13-14.