Chelsea 4-2 Watford PLAYER RATINGS: Michy Batshuayi blinder saves Blues... while Richarlison squanders sitters for Hornets

It wasn't pretty, and it wasn't particularly great from Chelsea. But the Premier League champions dug in deep to come from behind and stun high-flyers Watford after Cesar Azpilicuteta's 86th minute winner - followed by Michy Batshuayi's second - secured the points.

Pedro scored the goal of the game shortly after 10 minutes with a curled effort, before Abdoulaye Doucoure and Ricardo Pereyra gave the Hornets a surprising lead at the Bridge.  

Late goals from Batshuayi and Azpilicueta stole the points for Antonio Conte's side. Here's how the players fared in another goal-frenzy at the Bridge.

Cesar Azpilicueta gets the last laugh as his late winner completes Chelsea's comeback

Cesar Azpilicueta gets the last laugh as his late winner completes Chelsea's comeback

 

CHELSEA


Thibaut Courtois - 6

Called into action on a few occasions, Reliable when called upon, un-sighted from Doucoure's equaliser and helpless for Pereyra's strike. 

Antonio Rudiger - 5

Looked vulnerable against the aerial threat of Troy Deeney, booked in first half for a foul on Richarlison. 

David Luiz - 4

Lacklustre in possession, looked uncertain against the power of Richarlison and Deeney.

Gary Cahill - 5

At the heart of a struggling back four, exposed down the side on numerous occasions. 

Azpilicueta heads in Chelsea's third with just over five minutes to go to put them 3-2 ahead

Azpilicueta heads in Chelsea's third with just over five minutes to go to put them 3-2 ahead

Cesar Azpilicueta - 7

Improvement on recent weeks, but still short of form. On hand to provide the winner but struggled to impact the second.

Cesc Fabregas - 6

Drove Chelsea forward in search of vital winner, question marks over his defensive side of the game.

Tiemoue Bakayoko - 5

Caught in possession for Watford's second, failing to live up to early expectation. 

Marcos Alonso - 5

Quiet afternoon, had his problems against the pace of Richarlison. 

Pedro - 8

Stunning strike for the opener and brilliant delivery for Batshuayi's leveller.  

Pedro's stunning strike in the first half set Antonio Conte's side on their way to Watford victory

Pedro's stunning strike in the first half set Antonio Conte's side on their way to Watford victory

Alvaro Morata - 5

Caught ball watching as Doucoure smashed home the equaliser. Created a few openings but still looked short of fitness.  

Eden Hazard - 5

Noticeably quiet afternoon, flashes of quality but still far from his best. 

Subs: Zappacosta - 6 (for Pedro 86), Willian - 6 (for Alonso 68),Batshuayi - 8 (for Morata 61)

Manager: Antonio Conte - 7 

Inspired Batshuayi substitution, despite obvious defensive concerns will be pleased with the result. 

STAR MAN: Michy Batschuayi

Antonio Conte breathes a sigh of relief as Blues weather a second-successive six-goal thriller

 

WATFORD

Heurelho Gomes - 7 

Reliable when called upon, no chance with Pedro's stunning opener.  

Adrian Mariappa - 6

Booked early on but recovered well, unable to prevent Chelsea taking charge late on. 

Christian Kabasele - 7 

Dominant aerially against Morata and composed in possession.

Miguel Britos - 5

Looked threatening going forward but struggled up against trickery of Pedro. 

Roberto Pereyra fires in after Abdoulaye Doucoure's equaliser and silences Stamford Bridge

Roberto Pereyra fires in after Abdoulaye Doucoure's equaliser and silences Stamford Bridge

Kiko Femenia - 5

Booked for throwing the ball away, lively during resurgent first half but unable to impact the second. 

Tom Cleverley - 6

Expansive and productive going forward but still not at his creative best. 

Abdoulaye Doucoure - 7 

Excellent strike to level in the first half. Controlled the midfield well after shaky start. 

Doucoure slammed home Watford's late first-half equaliser to stun the home supporters

Doucoure slammed home Watford's late first-half equaliser to stun the home supporters

Jose Holebas - 5

Couldn't prevent Willian's delivery for Azpilicueta's winner and got caught on the counter attack on numerous occasions.  

Roberto Pereyra - 7

Tucked home Watford's second confidently, looked back to his most fluid best, providing a useful outlet all afternoon.

Troy Deeney - 7

Physically demanding and dominant in the air. Will hope solid performance will earn a regular starting spot. 

While Richarlison should have put the game out of sight but missed two great chances

While Richarlison should have put the game out of sight but missed two great chances

Richarlison - 5

Tricky and inventive but failed to hit the heights of previous weeks. Missed an absolute sitter early on in the second half but set up Pereyra's goal. 

Subs: Gray - 5 (for Mariappa 90), Watson - 7 (for Deeney 80), Carrillo - 6 (for Pereyra 65).

Manager:  Marco Silva - 6

Will be frustrated after his side showed signs of real quality. 

STAR MAN: Roberto Pereyra

Referee: Jon Moss - 7

But Batshuayi was on hand to deal the final blow to help Chelsea into the top four

But Batshuayi was on hand to deal the final blow to help Chelsea into the top four

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