Chelsea vs. Watford: Score, Reaction from 2015 Premier League Match

New Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink couldn't start his second spell with the club with a win, as the Blues battled to a 2-2 draw against in-form Watford during Saturday's Premier League action.

Diego Costa scored twice, but his great performance only led to a draw as Watford's top forwards Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo both found the back of the net as well.

Oscar had a fantastic opportunity to earn the win from the penalty spot late, but he skied his effort after slipping in his run up. A win would have been flattering for the Blues, who were second-best to the Hornets for large stretches of the match and only really dominated the final 15 minutes.

As shared by Chelsea's official Twitter account, Costa started up front for the Blues, despite his spotty form of late. Gary Cahill also entered the side in favour of Kurt Zouma:

Chelsea began the match cautiously, knowing full well Watford have been in tremendous attacking form of late and present a huge threat on the counter attack. The first real chance fell to Costa, who couldn't direct a cross from Willian on target.

The Blues' cautious start didn't last long, as Hiddink sent his wingers deep into Watford's half in an attempt to keep the pressure high. Stamford Bridge reacted well to the positive start, a big change compared to the negative atmosphere at the ground in recent weeks.

The in-form Ighalo had a good look on goal following a corner after 18 minutes, but under pressure from the Chelsea defence, he directed his effort wide. Heurelho Gomes then did well to deny Costa, rushing from his line after a smart pass from Cesc Fabregas.

Ighalo was unlucky to see a deflected effort blocked by team-mate Deeney, and ESPN FC's Janusz Michallik couldn't help but think the chance would have resulted in a goal just a few weeks ago:

Watford started taking control of the match after 25 minutes, putting together a number of small chances. Ighalo and Deeney were given too much space to link up in midfield, but Cahill and John Terry dealt with the runners well, shielding Thibaut Courtois at crucial times.

And just when the Hornets' pressure was at its highest, the Blues struck. Terry connected with a Willian cross, and the ball fell kindly to Costa, who produced a superb volley to blast the ball past Gomes.

Per Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph, fans seemed to have forgotten the controversies of the past weeks:

Squawka Football noted the Blues have been finishing their chances far better since Jose Mourinho's departure:

Chelsea now increased the pressure again in search for a second goal, but Watford pulled level from the penalty spot shortly after. Nemanja Matic tried to clear a cross and allowed the ball to hit his arm, and the official wasted no time awarding the spot-kick.

The Daily Telegraph's Sam Wallace couldn't believe it:

Deeney sent Courtois the wrong way to pull his team level with just three minutes left to play. There was time still for Willian to try his luck with a free-kick, but the Brazilian curled the ball high over the bar.

At half-time, Hiddink swapped Fabregas for John Obi Mikel in an attempt to break up the play between Ighalo and Deeney in midfield, sacrificing a bit of creativity in attack. It showed early in the second half, as the pace of the match dropped considerably.

The Blues wanted a penalty after a cross from Willian clipped the arm of Miguel Britos, but the official wouldn't listen. On the other side of the pitch, Courtois had to be at his very best to deny Etienne Capoue from close range.

Watford again looked like the better team early in the second half, and they took the lead through Ighalo with a bit of luck.

His shot took a massive deflection, leaving Courtois no chance, to the delight of football blogger Jonas Giaever:

Chelsea needed a few minutes to regain their composure after the setback, but their answer came swiftly, as Costa found the net for a second time in the 65th minute. Willian launched a great cross into his path, and the Spaniard did well to get past his marker before side-footing the ball past Gomes.

It was an excellent finish, but Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe was even more impressed with the pass:

Costa came close to completing his hat-trick just two minutes later after a great cross from Pedro, but this time, the Spanish striker couldn't convert. 

Eden Hazard was introduced late, as the Blues went searching for a winner, and Oscar was given a golden opportunity from the penalty spot after the Belgian was brought down inside the box by Valon Behrami.

He booted the penalty high over the crossbar, however, in almost comical fashion.

Sam Wallace of the Independent couldn't help himself:

Hazard made a positive impact and nearly reached Costa with an angled drive, while Cesar Azpilicueta did well to deny a tricky shot from Deeney. The better chances in the final minutes fell to the Blues, but neither team could find a winner.

Chelsea showed plenty of positives in their first match under Hiddink, but the poor luck and inconsistencies of the past few months remain.

Costa's sudden upturn in form is undoubtedly the biggest takeaway, and Hazard looked revitalised after a spell on the sidelines. If those two can get back to their best, the Blues' outlook for 2016 looks positive.

Post-Match Reaction

Per Chelsea's official Twitter account, Hiddink praised Costa but confirmed he's suspended for the team's next match against Manchester United:

He also praised the squad for its intensity:

Talking about Oscar's penalty miss, he showed a sense of humour, saying he "should have gone with normal tyres" instead of "slicks," per Liam Twomey of ESPN FC.

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