Delight shows Everton's shortcomings

'I think the supporters have deserved better than we have given them in recent times and it was finally nice to reward them,' said defender Watson.

'We have been letting everybody down recently. We have let down ourselves, the manager and the supporters. They travel a long way week-in, week-out to support us and it was important for us to keep things alive in this competition.

'The supporters have been fantastic all season and there was an incredible following today. We couldn't let them down.

'There were signs today that things might be about to change for us. We need that badly and this could turn out to be a big result in many ways.'

This tie - a repeat of the 1984 final Everton won 2-0 --was never likely to compare with years gone by. The current Everton side is far removed from the one that briefly threatened to over-whelm England and Europe 17 years ago, while for Watford the manager may be the same but times have changed.

Neither team approached Saturday in form but at least Watford started with some spirit and it was a reflection of their pressure and of Everton's nerves that Gifton Noel-Williams managed to win consecutive headers in the visitors' box in the 20th minute to allow Mooney to score from close range.

After that excitement came only mediocrity as both sides slugged it out in the middle of the pitch. Tackles and confrontation by the bucketload reflected the commitment but could not disguise the lack of quality.

As often in recent weeks, Everton emerged for the second half with new-found control and Duncan Ferguson, Joe-Max Moore, Niclas Alexandersson and Watson all went close before the game's pivotal moment arrived in the 81st minute.

Watford defender Robert Page was sent off after bringing down substitute Idan Tal. Thomas Gravesen rolled the free-kick to Hughes who fired a ferocious shot into the top corner. Punishment indeed.

Moore did his best to ruin things by petuantly kicking the ball away soon after --his second yellow card signalled the end for him --but Everton were not to be denied.

Who knows what right-back Watson was doing in the opposing penalty box two minutes into injury time but it was his head that reached Alexandersson's cross first and victory belonged to Everton. Taylor thought the result harsh and the refereeing over-zealous and he may have had a point on both counts.

'We played very well in the first half and I saw enough in our performance to show there is a lot of team spirit back in the side after the run we had,' said Taylor.

'But Everton came on strong in the second half and we had no control.

'The free-kick was the turning point as it didn't look like they were going to score before then.

'I thought a draw would have been a fair result.

'As for the Premiership, we found it too hot to handle last time and we have to hope it's a bit cooler next time if we make it.' Taylor's side may well be out the Cup but at least they have turned things around in their efforts to rejoin the elite.

Two wins in a row ended the Hornets slide down the Division One table after a depressing run of one point from eight games and keeps them in the hunt for a return to the Premiership.

Smith did not care that Taylor felt the result was a shade tough on the home side.

He has seen his side suffer at fate's hand on numerous occasions recently and this - as far as he was concerned - was merely delayed justice. 'It was important to get a win for the fans,' he said.

'They've been fantastic all season and there was an enormous following today.

'Watford were a Premier-ship side last season, there's every chance they will be again next season.

'When you go a goal down it's a case of everybody standing up to be counted and I thought in the second half everybody out there did that.

'I have waited a long time for this.

'For once I can go home and watch Match of the Day and relax. Who knows, I may even read the match repor ts in the Sunday papers.'