Watford vs. Chelsea: Score and Reaction from 2016 EPL Match
Chelsea completed a late comeback to win their second match of the 2016-17 Premier League season on Saturday, beating Watford 2-1.
The Blues dominated possession before half-time but couldn't convert their dominance into chances. Watford took full advantage of their struggles in front of goal, opening the score through Etienne Capoue after the break.
Substitute Michy Batshuayi equalised for the Blues with 10 minutes left to play, scoring his first Premier League goal, and Diego Costa added a late winner.
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Pedro came into the starting XI to replace Willian out wide, and manager Antonio Conte confirmed before the match the Brazilian picked up an injury, per the Blues' official Twitter account:
The Hornets started the match with plenty of attacking intent, and Gary Cahill twice had to intervene in the opening minutes to deny Miguel Britos and Troy Deeney.
Chelsea prioritised possession early on, passing the ball around inside the Watford half, and Nemanja Matic and Costa did well to earn a corner that came to nothing. On the other side of the pitch, Jose Holebas easily beat Pedro and forced Thibaut Courtois into a first save.
Per Jack Rathborn of the Daily Mirror, Chelsea's right flank struggled early as a whole:
Costa couldn't get a shot off thanks to some fine defensive work from Sebastian Prodl, who impressed with his physicality early on. Costa remained a threat, however, and Holebas had to make a last-ditch clearance to deny him a great shooting chance.
The Blues continued to dominate the ball, but creativity in the final third was an issue. Oscar fired a low shot well outside of Watford's goal, and Cesar Azpilicueta found some success with his smart runs for the byline.
Odion Ighalo perhaps should have opened the score on 24 minutes, after a lovely counter led by Nordin Amrabat led to a great shooting chance from close range. Somehow, the prolific forward fired the ball over the bar, and per ESPN FC's Liam Twomey, he didn't miss by much:
Branislav Ivanovic couldn't trouble Heurelho Gomes with a header after a solid cross from Eden Hazard, and Courtois did well to read a chipped pass from Ighalo to Deeney, easily intercepting play.
Watford remained the better team, and Adlene Guedioura was the next man to go close, firing a volley wide of the target after yet another impressive run by Holebas. Chelsea threatened with a mad scramble in the box, but the Hornets defended well and were able to clear in time.
Britos was lucky to escape without a booking after taking out Hazard, as the Blues came on strongly toward the end of the half. But for all of their possession, they could barely create chances, with Gomes saving a tame shot from Hazard to end the half.
At half-time, Bleacher Report's Garry Hayes thought the Blues needed the creativity of Cesc Fabregas to break down Watford's defence:
The Blues continued their patient push for a goal after the break, but Costa was twice punished for being a little too rough with his markers, to the despair of manager Conte.
Oscar nearly created a great chance, firing a sharp pass in front of goal both Costa and Hazard failed to make contact with. Chelsea were pushing men up the pitch but were still vulnerable to the counter, and after 55 minutes, the hosts took the lead.
Deeney did well to shield a cross and work the ball over to Capoue, who fired a hard volley past Courtois and into the net. Per Squawka Football, the Frenchman is enjoying a fine season in front of goal:
Costa received a booking for dissent after the goal.
Hazard led the charge for an equaliser, but an early cross was fired just a little too close to Gomes, who easily gathered. Matic fired a shot well wide of the target, and Costa's touch abandoned him just as he was about to create a chance for himself.
Per Bleacher Report UK, things didn't look good for the Blues:
N'Golo Kante gave away a free-kick right on the edge of his own box after 64 minutes, but Holebas failed to beat the wall. Costa wanted a free-kick of his own after contact near the Watford box, but the Spain international went down a little too easily and was told to play on.
The Blues screamed for a penalty just minutes later after a corner seemed to make contact with a defender's hand, but once again, the official didn't budge. They did finally get their free-kick, but Oscar's strike hit the wall on the way.
Conte introduced Victor Moses and Batshuayi with 20 minutes left to play, and Watford countered by shifting their formation a bit and dropping almost everyone behind the ball.
Watford seemed to be in control, but with 10 minutes left to play, Batshuayi brought his team level. Hazard fired a low shot at Gomes, who couldn't keep the ball under control and watched as the former Marseille man pounced on the rebound.
Per OptaJoe, the young Belgian has had quite the impact for his new club:
Chelsea pushed for a late winner, and Costa got involved in a minor altercation with the hosts for some physical play from the ground. The Spaniard got his revenge shortly after, as substitute Fabregas picked him out with a lovely pass, and Costa moved past Holebas before slotting home.
Batshuayi came close to a third Chelsea goal, hitting the crossbar in injury time, and the Blues held off a late rally to preserve the win.
Post-Match Reaction
As shared by the club's official Twitter account, Chelsea boss Conte was a happy man after the final whistle:
The Blues will host Bristol Rovers in the EFL Cup in their next outing, while Watford will play Gillingham in the same competition.
