Chelsea 4 Watford 2: Cesar Azpilicueta grabs dramatic late winner for hosts to down exciting Hornets in Stamford Bridge thriller
Pedro had given Chelsea the lead with a sublime strike, before Abdoulaye Doucoure and Roberto Pereyra put Hornets in front prior to a superb, headed leveller from sub Michy Batshuayi
From a quickly-taken set piece, the ball fell to Pedro whose spectacular first-time effort from 25 yards went in via the post with Hornets keeper Heurelho Gomes not even making an attempt to save.
It would have been impossible to keep the ball out.
Harsh corner given to Chelsea as Watford switch off to allow Pedro to score a stunning goal
It should have been 2-0 soon after but Cesc Fabregas attempted to be clever but instead made himself look really silly.
Alvaro Morata delivered a brilliant, defence-splitting pass to Fabregas who was clean through.
Inexplicably, he attempted a really difficult first-time chip over Gomes but he put it within the keeper’s reach.
Fabregas should either have used power or have dribbled around the exposed keeper.
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Match Stats
Watford rediscovered their confidence and ended the first half playing well and in the second minute of injury time, Doucoure thumped the leveller.
Chelsea failed to deal properly with Jose Holebas' long throw, David Luiz headed the ball against Tiemoue Bakayoko and it fell for French midfielder Doucoure who hammered the ball into the corner.
It was Doucoure’s fourth shot on target this season – and his fourth goal.
Richarlison missed a sitter from close range a few minutes into the second half but Chelsea did not heed the warning.
And Richarlison make up for that howler by delivering the killer pass to Pereyra who beats Courtois for 2-1.
Incredibly, Brazilian star Richarlison missed another sitter- this time a header – and he will have been cursing that miss.
Chelsea had rarely threatened but Pedro delivered an excellent cross and Batshuayi got in front of Miguel Britos and scored with a glancing header.
Azpilicueta's late winner was hardly deserved, but there's something to be said for a gritty win...
Batshuayi then grabbed his second to rub salt into Watford's wound in the 95th-minute.
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Prior to kick-off, Chelsea were unbeaten in 12 league and cup matches against Watford (W9, D3).
Watford's only Premier League win in eight previous meetings with the Blues (D2, L5) was back in September 1999, as Alan Smart scored the winner.
The Hornets' last victory at Stamford Bridge was a 5-1 triumph on the final day of the 1985-86 top-flight season.
Going into the game, Chelsea were facing losing three straight Premier League games for the first time in two years.
Ahead of the game, Conte's men had been dropped eight points at home so far this season; two more than in the whole of 2016-17.
Prior to kick-off, Watford were enjoying their best-ever Premier League start, with 15 points from eight games.
After his stunning strike, Pedro has now had a hand in more goals in all competitions in 2017 than any other Chelsea player (12 goals, 8 assists).
Abdoulaye Doucoure has now scored with all four of his shots on target this season.
Richarlison followed up an absolute sitter in the second-half... only to redeem himself seconds later with an assist for the second goal. The Brazilian then missed another clear-cut chance just moments later.
Speaking of redemption, Batshuayi went a ways to making up for his Crystal Palace horror show last week by scoring Chelsea's equaliser.
WHAT THEY SAID
Watford boss Marco Silva: "It is a really unfair result. It didn't reflect the match and what we saw on the pitch.
"I'm proud of how we played, but of course I'm really frustrated. It showed our way and we need to continue in this way."
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte: "The performance was a good performance because to concede the equaliser at the end of the first and then go down in first part of the second half, our confidence in that moment was low.
"But my players showed me that we have the attitude to fight and change the situation and get a different result. It was very important.
Watford's Richarlison misses an open goal from six yards at Chelsea
Antonio Conte celebrated with the crowd at Stamford Bridge as Cesar Azpilicueta headed Chelsea ahead against Watford
SOCIAL SAYS
20 – Pedro has had a hand in more goals in all comps in 2017 than any other @ChelseaFC player (12 goals, 8 assists). Key. pic.twitter.com/BeDwZq06oX