Cesc Fabregas strikes late as Chelsea celebrate title with Watford win
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 15/05/2017 at 21:55 GMT
Premier League, Stamford Bridge - Chelsea 4 (Terry 22, Azpilicueta 36, Batshuayi 49, Fabregas 88) Watford 3 (Capoue 24, Janmaat 51, Okaka 74).
Chelsea's Italian head coach Antonio Conte (L) embraces Chelsea's Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas (R) at the end of the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Watford at Stamford Bridge in London on May 15, 2017
Image credit: Getty Images
John Terry played a role as hero and villain as champions Chelsea capped their homecoming party with a rollercoaster 4-3 victory over 10-man Watford at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues skipper, who was handed his first league start since September 11, opened the scoring midway through the first period when he reacted smartly to prod home a right-wing corner.
But his big moment in what is likely to be his penultimate appearance at the Bridge turned sour 34 seconds later when his poor defensive header allowed Etienne Capoue to level.
It proved to be the appetiser for a crazy 90 minutes of football as the home side threw away a 3-1 lead after Daryl Janmaat and Stefan Okaka cancelled out other efforts from Cesar Azpilicueta and Michy Batshuayi.
Watford had found the net away from home for the first time in 641 minutes of football, but slumped to a fifth straight loss that may well cast further doubt on the future of boss, Walter Mazzarri when substitute Cesc Fabregas' miscued shot clinched a 14th win from their last 15 league outings on home soil for the Blues.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2017/05/15/2083980-43674810-2560-1440.jpg)
Sebastian Prodl of Watford is shown a red card by referee Lee Mason after picking up his second yellow of the game during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Watford at Stamford Bridge on May 15, 2017 in London, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
The 16th-placed Hornets' misery was further compounded when Sebastian Prodl was sent off for a second bookable offence in injury time.
Chelsea will now lift the trophy when they sign off their league campaign at home to Sunderland on Sunday before stepping up their preparations for the FA Cup final against Arsenal on May 27.
TALKING POINT
No time for hangovers, this Chelsea side want records. Many a title-winning team of the past have taken their foot off the metal when the trophy has been clinched with games to spare. Some wondered if Chelsea would do that here; but despite a glut of changes the Blues' habit for picking up victories just about prevailed.
Antonio Conte was as demanding as ever on the touchline, and is now one win away from seeing his side become the first to clinch 30 top-flight successes in a 38-match campaign. Only relegated Sunderland stand in their way of that achievement while victory in the FA Cup final would see them become only the third side to do the domestic Double more than once. Plenty still to play for and with a blur of energy motivating from the touchline, don't expect Chelsea (or their fringe players) to let up just yet.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea). The classy full-back capped another consistent display with a rare strike to follow up his crucial assist at West Brom. Terry will grab some of the headlines but the Spaniard's goal was almost as popular amongst his team-mates and the supporters.
PLAYER RATINGS
CHELSEA: Begovic 6, Zouma 6, Terry 6, Ake 6, Azpilicueta 8, Kante 8, Chalobah 7, Kenedy 6, Willian 7, Batshuayi 6, Hazard 7. Subs: Aina 6, Fabregas 7, Pedro n/a.
WATFORD: Gomes 7; Mariappa 7, Prödl 5, Holebas 7; Amrabat 7, Cleverley 7, Behrami 6, Doucouré 6, Janmaat 7; Capoue 7; Niang 6. Subs: Okaka 7, Deeney n/a.
KEY MOMENTS
22' - GOAL! CHELSEA 1-0 WATFORD. It had to be Terry! The skipper reacts to swivel and prod the loose ball home after Watford had failed to deal with a right-wing corner.
24' - GOAL! CHELSEA 1-1 WATFORD. From hero to villain. Terry gets a defensive header all wrong and allows Capoue to race in and nod over Begovic.
33' - CHELSEA CHANCE. Hazard races on to Willian's diagonal pass, cuts inside and flashes inches past the near post.
36' - GOAL! CHELSEA 2-1 WATFORD. The champions are back in front and it's Azpilicueta who rasps a low drive beyond Gomes after the away side had failed to deal with another corner.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2017/05/15/2083942-43674050-2560-1440.jpg)
John Terry of Chelsea celebrates scoring his sides first goal with Kurt Zouma of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Watford at Stamford Bridge on May 15, 2017 in London, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
49' - GOAL! CHELSEA 3-1 WATFORD. Batshuayi taps in after Ake had brilliantly controlled Kenedy's miss-hit shot and put it on a plate for the Belgian.
51' - GOAL! CHELSEA 3-2 WATFORD. Watford are back in it once more! Janmaat picks up the ball on the left and jinks into the area before flashing a shot beyond Begovic.
74' - GOAL! CHELSEA 3-3 WATFORD. It's all square! Okaka levels within minutes of taking to the field after Chelsea failed to deal with Cleverley's right-wing cross.
88' - GOAL! CHELSEA 4-3 WATFORD. Chelsea are back in front! Fabregas skews a low shot into the far corner from Willian's lay off. It was a bit of a miscue but he won't care!
90' - RED CARD! Prodl gets his marching orders for a second bookable offence.
KEY STATS
Chelsea have equalled the record for the most wins in a single PL season (29, also achieved by the Blues in 04/05 and 05/06).
Chelsea made nine changes to their starting line-up for the first time ever in the Premier League.
Only Ryan Giggs (21), Paul Scholes (19) and Frank Lampard (18) have scored a goal in more different Premier League seasons than John Terry (17).
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2017/05/15/2083979-43674790-2560-1440.jpg)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 15: General view inside the stadium after the Premier League match between Chelsea and Watford at Stamford Bridge on May 15, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Image credit: Getty Images
Chelsea's 100th goal in all competitions this season was scored by John Terry - the 17th successive PL season in which he has netted.
John Terry scored his first Premier League goal since Jan 16th 2016 - 485 days ago.
Capoue is the only player to score both home and away against Chelsea in the Premier League this season.
Azpilicueta has been directly involved in a goal in each of his last three Premier League games (1 goal, 2 assists).
MATCH IN A TWEET
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article