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Watford's Spanish midfielder Gerard Deulofeu (L) vies with Chelsea's French midfielder N'Golo Kante during the English Premier League football match between Watford and Chelsea at Vicarage Road Stadium in Watford, north of London on February 5, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.  /         (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)
Watford's Spanish midfielder Gerard Deulofeu (L) vies with Chelsea's French midfielder N'Golo Kante during the English Premier League football match between Watford and Chelsea at Vicarage Road Stadium in Watford, north of London on February 5, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)GLYN KIRK/Getty Images

Watford Hammer Chelsea 4-1 After Tiemoue Bakayoko's Red Card

Rob BlanchetteFeb 5, 2018

Ten-man Chelsea collapsed at Watford in the Premier League on Monday, as the home side prevailed 4-1 against the reigning champions.

The Blues lost Tiemoue Bakayoko after 30 minutes as the midfielder saw red for a second booking, and it was downhill for the visitors for the rest of the game.

The Hornets took the lead shortly before half-time as Troy Deeney smashed home a penalty after Blues goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois brought down Gerard Deulofeu.

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Eden Hazard displayed his world-class quality as the Belgian wizard struck from distance in the closing stages, but Daryl Janmaat was the hero as he found the back of the net minutes later.

Deulofeu put the game to bed shortly before the final whistle to cap a magnificent display by the Barcelona loan star.

Roberto Pereyra then produced a devastating finish for a fourth in injury time to rub salt into Chelsea's open wounds.

Both teams provided their starting XI's before the game, as David Luiz returned for the Premier League champions after an extended period out of manager Antonio Conte's plans:

Watford applied relentless pressure on their opponents in the first half, as Chelsea lay on the ropes in an unconvincing display. 

Conte was clearly aggravated in his technical area, with Hazard completely isolated in attack as his team faltered.

Chelsea were forced into tactical changes after being reduced to 10 men as Bakayoko was shown a second yellow card after 30 minutes for a clumsy challenge.

Football writer Liam Canning highlighted Bakayoko's lack of consistency since replacing Nemanja Matic in the squad:

Conte quickly replaced Willian with Cesc Fabregas as he reorganised but the Hornets took advantage to grab a precious lead.

Deulofeu's timing fooled Courtois three minutes before half-time, and the Belgian stopper caught the Spaniard with the faintest of touches as the attacker flicked the ball past his lunging body.

WATFORD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 05:  Gerard Deulofeu of Watford celebrates scoring the 3rd Watford goal with Troy Deeney during the Premier League match between Watford and Chelsea at Vicarage Road on February 5, 2018 in Watford, England.  (Photo by Michael R

Referee Mike Dean had little choice but to point to the spot, and Deeney pulled rank to place the ball on the spot. The 29-year-old was confident as charged forward and his shot whistled past the goalkeeper.

Watford deserved their lead at the interval, and Conte marched down the tunnel to confront his side.

Coral suggested Chelsea could soon be looking for a new boss after a collapse in recent results:

Watford continued with an impressive high press in the second half, as Deeney and Deulofeu dominated the Blues' defence.

Deulofeu twice went close as he tested Courtois but the loan star missed the target with good opportunities.

Chelsea were a shadow of the side that marched to the Premier League title last season, and Conte was forced to throw on new signing Olivier Giroud as his team struggled for cohesion.

WATFORD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 05:  Eden Hazard of Chelsea celebrates scoring the first Chelsea goal with Cesar Azpilicueta during the Premier League match between Watford and Chelsea at Vicarage Road on February 5, 2018 in Watford, England.  (Photo by Cathe

 The Blues finally started to play with just 10 minutes on the clock, with the visitors panicking as they stared defeat in the face.

Hazard dribbled through the defence to set up Fabregas, but the former Spain international couldn't find a strike.

Chelsea grabbed an equaliser seconds later as Hazard curled the ball home from distance, and a point seemed assured late in the day.

However, Watford continued to pour forward, and Janmaat danced his way into the box to slot the ball past Courtois with five minutes left on the clock.

WATFORD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 05:  Daryl Janmaat of Watford celebrates scoring the 2nd Watford goal with team mates during the Premier League match between Watford and Chelsea at Vicarage Road on February 5, 2018 in Watford, England.  (Photo by Catherine Iv

The 10 men had nothing left in the tank, and there was still enough time for Deulofeu and Pereyra to find the net to complete the shock scoreline.

Watford were excellent value for the victory, and Conte's future at Stamford Bridge must now be in doubt as Chelsea continue their depressing form.

The champions had little fight on the night, and their desire was lacking throughout the whole contest.

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