Wilkins thrilled with Blues fightback

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Hornets substitute Tamas Priskin put the struggling Coca-Cola Championship side in front in the 69th minute but Anelka hit a superb treble, including two goals inside three minutes, to put the Blues into the last eight of the competition.

Wilkins, in charge for the game before new manager Guus Hiddink takes control on Monday, said: "I was delighted with the way the guys persevered. It is never easy when you go a goal down to a team in a lower division, it is extremely difficult."

He added: "But we showed a tremendous amount of character to come back and it culminated in a lovely hat-trick by Nic.

"People keep saying it has been a difficult season for us. But we are now through to the next round of the FA Cup, we are still in the hunt for the Premier League and we are still in the Champions League. I don't think you have seen the best of us yet.

"That is still to come. When we get lady luck on our side I think you will see us start giving a few teams a good hiding.

"Nicolas has done exceptionally well but that's down to a lot of hard work by the player. He is not the most vocal person on the planet but he works hard on his game and is a wonderful finisher.

"Guus has been in the dressing room to congratulate the boys. He is delighted and thrilled and knows he has got a wonderful group of players to work with. He also came in the dressing room before the game to wish the guys the best of luck.

"I told Guus what the team would be and he just said get on with it."