Dan Shittu scored twice to see off Crystal Palace and book Watford a spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup after a 2-0 win at Vicarage Road.The defender headed home Lee Williamson's inswinging corner just before the half-hour mark to break the deadlock, before doubling the home side's advantage midway through the second half in almost identical circumstances.
The Coca-Cola Championship rivals, who have reached a combined total of five FA Cup semi-finals down the years, both enjoyed their fair share of chances but it was the hosts who ended Palace's run of 13 games unbeaten - a record stretching back to Watford's 2-0 league win back in October.
Eagles boss Neil Warnock kept his promise to ring the changes for the clash and named 15-year-old John Bostock in his starting XI - one of five new faces to the side held by Norwich in the Championship on New Year's Day.
Hornets manager Adrian Boothroyd took a different approach, naming the same line-up that comfortably brushed aside Southampton 3-0.
But it was Palace's youngsters who imposed themselves on the tie in the early stages, Sean Scannell first to see his long-range effort fly narrowly wide before Bostock and Ben Watson both tried their luck from distance.
The away side's attacking threat seemed to spark Watford into action and they soon started to dominate affairs, with Darius Henderson forcing a good save from keeper Scott Flinders before seeing his header drift wide.
And the hosts got their reward in the 28th minute courtesy of Shittu's sixth goal of the season - the central defender rising highest to head home Williamson's near-post corner from six yards.
Carl Fletcher attempted to drag Palace back on level terms as the half drew to a close but his effort was well blocked by Jordan Stewart.
Watford flew out of the traps at the start of the second half with Stewart volleying a left-footed effort narrowly wide from 20 yards nine minutes after the restart.
Henderson and Jobi McAnuff also went close for the home side before Warnock opted to make a much-needed change, Victor Moses coming on for Bostock.
But it proved to be to no avail as Shittu found the net again to register his second of the afternoon after 65 minutes.
The Eagles defence failed to learn their lessons from the first half as the defender once more broke free in the penalty area to head home Stewart's inswinging corner from close range and put the tie beyond the visitors.
Warnock's youngsters refused to give up hope and Fletcher volleyed a good chance over the crossbar from 20 yards with 16 minutes remaining.
But it was merely a glimmer of hope as the hosts dominated the closing stages to end a seven-game winless streak at Vicarage Road and leave Hornets fans once again dreaming of an extend run in the FA Cup - last year they were beaten in the semi-finals by Manchester United.
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