Drogba nets hat-trick in Chelsea win

Didier Drogba gunned down Watford with a stunning treble as Chelsea briefly moved level on points with Manchester United at the top of the Barclays Premiership after a 4-0 win over the Hornets.

Drogba, a constant threat throughout, slammed home his second treble of the season with goals in the 27th, 36th and 69th minutes.

The Ivory Coast hitman, who has now scored 14 this season, also turned provider to help Andriy Shevchenko bag Chelsea's third in the 53rd minute.

Drogba almost put Chelsea in front in the 10th minute when he hooked Geremi's free-kick just wide of Ben Foster's left-hand upright. The striker was presented with another opportunity after Michael Ballack found Geremi on the right flank with a long pass. The defender clipped the ball into Frank Lampard`s path, only for Drogba to head over his curling cross.

The breakthrough arrived in the 27th minute. Ricardo Carvalho fed Geremi on the right and his low cross was missed by Shevchenko before falling to Drogba, who prodded home from six yards.

Drogba added his second in the 35th minute. Lampard and Ballack combined in midfield before the ball found its way to Drogba, who played a neat one-two with Shevchenko before firing home from an acute angle.

In the 44th minute Lloyd Doyley was lucky not to give away a penalty when he upended Drogba on the edge of the area.

In the 48th minute Chelsea almost made it three when Drogba put Ballack in the clear, but his cheeky lob fell the wrong side of the upright.

Five minutes later they stretched their lead. Goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini sent a goal-kick upfield for Drogba to control and play a clever ball to Shevchenko. The Ukraine international chested it round Foster before slipping it into an open net.

Drogba's hat-trick came in the 69th minute. Arjen Robben collected the ball on the right before sending the overlapping Geremi free and the full-back's low cross was perfectly placed for the onrushing Drogba to fire past Foster.