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Premier League
Oct 21, 2017 at 12.30pm UK
 
WL

4-2

Pedro (12'), Batshuayi (71', 95'), Azpilicueta (87')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Doucoure (45'), Pereyra (49')

Chelsea strike late to beat Watford

:Headline: Result: Chelsea strike late to beat Watford: ID:310080: from db_amp
Chelsea come from 2-1 behind to record a 4-2 victory over Watford in Saturday afternoon's pulsating Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea came from 2-1 behind to record a 4-2 victory over Watford in Saturday afternoon's pulsating Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge.

Pedro had sent Chelsea into an early lead on home soil, but Watford scored either side of the half-time break through Abdoulaye Doucoure and Roberto Pereyra to lead at Stamford Bridge.

Michy Batshuayi then got his name on the scoresheet 19 minutes from time to level the scores, before Cesar Azpilicueta netted in the 87th minute as Chelsea turned the match on its head.

The champions were not finished, however, and added a fourth in the fifth minute of stoppage time through Batshuayi as they returned to winning ways in the Premier League.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte made two changes to the team that started against Roma in the Champions League on Wednesday night, with Antonio Rudiger and Pedro coming in for Andreas Christensen and Davide Zappacosta.

Azpilicueta moved into a wing-back position as David Luiz was passed fit to start, but Victor Moses remained on the sidelines alongside N'Golo Kante.

As for Watford, head coach Marco Silva made just the one change from the team that beat Arsenal last weekend, and that came in attack as club captain Troy Deeney replaced Andre Gray.

The visitors knocked the ball around with pace and purpose in the early exchanges, with Richarlison causing problems in a forward area. Indeed, it was a busy start for Rudiger as the Chelsea centre-back had to make a couple of vital challenges.

For all of Watford's bright work in the opening 10 minutes, it was Chelsea that made the breakthrough in the 12th minute when Pedro found the back of the away side's net with a curling effort from outside the area.

The Premier League champions were handed a big slice of luck in the build-up to the goal, however, with the officials signalling a corner rather than a Watford goal kick after Eden Hazard had knocked the ball behind.

The home side had a brilliant chance to double their lead in the 16th minute when Alvaro Morata released Cesc Fabregas inside the Watford box, but the Spaniard could not beat Heurelho Gomes.

Pedro was next to come close for Chelsea in the 24th minute after finding space in a forward position, but the winger's effort just missed the post.

Tom Cleverley tested Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois with a dipping free kick 15 minutes before the break, and Watford continued to have joy in the final third as the lively Richarlison took up dangerous positions.

Chelsea came close to doubling their lead late in the first period when Fabregas hit one from outside the box, but Gomes made a decent save as one goal separated the two teams entering stoppage time.

Two additional minutes were signalled at the end of the first period, and Watford equalised in the dying moments of the half when Doucoure's effort somehow squeezed in at the near post after Chelsea had failed to clear a long throw from Jose Holebas.

A lively start to the second half saw both teams have opportunities, with Deeney just failing to connect on a low cross from Kiko Femenia, before Pedro missed the target from distance down the other end of the field.

Watford should have taken the lead in the 48th minute when Femenia put one on a plate for Richarlison at the far post, but the Brazilian somehow missed an open goal.

The visitors were not to be denied, however, and scored their second less than two minutes later when Richarlison slid a pass into Pereyra, who found the back of the net with a composed finish.

Richarlison had another incredible chance in the 54th minute after a cross from Miguel Britos landed on the forward's head, but he somehow sent the ball wide of Courtois's post.

Batshuayi replaced Morata just past the hour as Conte looked for solutions to the problem, but Watford were the team looking the most likely to score the game's fourth goal, with substitute Andre Carrillo causing concern.

Chelsea did level the scores in the 71st minute, however, when Batshuayi headed a Pedro cross past Gomes, which finally brought the home supporters to their feet.

Watford might have regained the lead less than two minutes later when Christian Kabasele found himself free inside the Chelsea box, but the centre-back could only head straight into the arms of Courtois.

Batshuayi curled one wide of the Watford post 10 minutes from time, before missing the crossbar moments later as Chelsea looked to turn things around in the latter stages. The visitors, however, were also looking for a third, and Kabasele just failed to meet a cross from Femenia in the 85th minute.

It was Chelsea that grabbed the game's fifth goal in the 87th minute, with Azpilicueta heading home at the far post as Watford were hit with a late sucker punch after an impressive showing at Stamford Bridge. Three then became four in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Batshuayi netted after a mistake from Britos.

amp_article__310080 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2017-10-25 12:50:25:
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