West Ham keeper Roy Carroll made an error three minutes before the break which gifted the Hornets a place in round 5 as Anthony McNamee took advantage of the Northern Ireland international`s mistake to put Watford into the next round with a well taken overhead kick.
It could have been quite different had Bobby Zamora`s early effort not hit the bar whilst the Hornets thought they had grabbed the lead on 15 minutes. Damien Francis poked the ball home after Mackay had headed across goal but the assistant referee raised his flag for offside.
West Ham had chances with Quashie and Newton forcing Foster into a couple of saves while Dailly saw his header cleared off the line by Jordan Stewart.
Curbishley`s side improved markedly after the break. Zamora shot straight at Foster when he should have done better whilst he wasted a further chance with a header from Newton`s pinpoint cross.
The Hammers failed to trouble Foster too often in the second half although Zamora came within inches of getting onto Sheringham`s lob but Stewart was there once again to clear the ball off the line. Stewart had an impressive game all round and this time seemed to be stepping up to the responsibility of the captain’s armband.
Despite a barrage of late pressure from the Hammers, Watford held on for a much deserved win. The Hornets now go into the hat for the fifth round whilst the problems to continue to mount for Alan Curbishley and West Ham.
Malkay Mackay had some choice words for the West Ham club after the game, ‘while we are expected to be at the bottom of the table because we have the smallest ground and the smallest budget in the Premiership, you can sense there’s pressure on West Ham.
‘And when you are on that sort of money, that’s an expectation you have to handle. When you’re a West Ham player, no matter what you’re earning, you have to deal with it because it’s a great club with a big tradition.
‘Every week there are 35,000 fans expecting West Ham to be entertaining and, when you play professional football, you have to live with that culture of expectation.
‘I respect West Ham’s tradition as the Academy of Football because they have produced some great players from Bobby Moore through to Joe Cole.
‘Just as the sign in the tunnel at Liverpool says ‘This is Anfield’, there’s a reminder of West Ham’s Academy status here.
‘But for the academy to flourish, you need desire and commitment as basic requirements. It’s going to be hard for youngsters to come through the system when they can go out and sign players for £5million, pay them big money and put them straight in the first team.
‘I’ve come back to my old club with a lot of fond memories and I’m going away with a win in the FA Cup. Job done and if we can do it again in a fortnight in the Premiership, it will be even better.
‘It would have been lovely if this win had come with three points but making the last 16 of the Cup is a nice bonus and two wins in a week can’t be bad.
‘When you go to big clubs with fantastic support you need to keep the crowd quiet and frustrate them. That’s something we tried to prey on.
‘It’s a club in transition. It was music to our ears when we could hear the fans becoming anxious.’
Alan Curbishley on the other hand didn’t seem too despondent after the game, ‘What I said to the players after the game is that I can’t ask much more of them. I know the fans will look at that and say, ‘Blimey, what’s he on about?’ But they tried their hardest.’ Mmmmm. Not what the Hammers fans thought after the game as a barrage of abuse was targeted towards their captain Nigel Reo-Coker who responded by waving his fist. Keep up the good work Nigel.
West Ham: Carroll, Neill (Pantsil 48), Spector, Dailly, McCartney, Newton (Sheringham 65), Reo-Coker, Quashie, Boa Morte (Etherington 77), Zamora, Cole.
Subs Not Used: Green, Mullins.
Watford: Foster, Mariappa, Mackay, DeMerit, Stewart, McNamee (Powell 72), Bangura, Francis, Bouazza, Smith, Henderson.
Subs Not Used: Chamberlain, Doyley, Kabba, Ashikodi.
Player Ratings
GK. Ben Foster
Another superb goalkeeping display by the on loan Manchester United man. Made an excellent save down to his left to deny the Hammers` Shaun Newton early in the first half and the total control of his penalty area as the pressure mounted in the second period settled the nerves of Watford defenders and travelling support alike.
7
RB. Adrian Mariappa
Displayed a calm assurance when confronted by West Ham United`s recent big money signing, Luis Boa Morte. Won the ball on halfway that started the move leading to Anthony McNamee`s goal.
7
LB. Jordan Stewart
Captain colossus, the ex-Leicester City man has upped his game a notch since taking over the skipper`s armband from the injured Gavin Mahon. Two terrific goal line clearances, one in the first half and then again in the dying seconds when under extreme pressure from Teddy Sheringham and Bobby Zamora.
8*
CB. Jay DeMerit
Outstanding performance by the American, led by example and defended heroically, although was out muscled on the right flank that led to the Carlton Cole/Malkay Mackay penalty incident.
8
CB. Malkay Mackay
Solid display from the no nonsense central defender, although he got the benefit of some doubt when coming into contact with Carlton Cole in the penalty box midway through the second half.
7
RM. Tommy Smith
Typical crafty display by the little winger, and swung over a teasing cross that tempted West Ham United goalkeeper, Roy Carroll to leave his goal unguarded for the game`s defining moment.
6
LM. Anthony McNamee
Capped a fine performance with a stunning overhead kick to win the tie. Passed the ball well and chased and harried throughout, taken off late on as he tired but had already done enough.
8
CM. Al Bangura
Combative hard working effort from the Sierra Leone youngster. Grew in stature as the game progressed and always seemed to clear his lines at the crucial moment.
7
CM. Damien Francis
Back to something like his best, the former Wigan Athletic man seems to be relishing the extra responsibility in the absence of Gavin Mahon. Unfortunate to be flagged offside for his first half strike after making great strides to get into the danger area and meet Malkay Mackay`s header.
7
CF. Hamer Bouazza
Strong powerful performance from the Parisian. Always willing to support Darius Henderson and set up the former Gillingham man with a superb low cross in the second half. Has perhaps not regained full speed after dislocating a shoulder on Boxing Day, but a tremendous asset to the side nevertheless.
7
CF. Darius Henderson
Tireless effort from the big front man. Always an aerial threat and forced Hammers` goalie, Roy Carroll into a crucial error just before half time. Inches away from converting a wonderful low cross from Hameur Bouazza midway through the second half.
7
Sub. Chris Powell
Wisely brought on by manager, Aidy Boothroyd for the tense closing stages. Did not contribute too much, but crucially took up good defensive positions, got a foot in where it mattered and lent an experienced hand to help the boys over the line.
6 Gary Holmes.
