Michy Batshuayi comes to rescue for Chelsea as Watford rue missed chances
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ByEurosport
Updated 21/10/2017 at 14:24 GMT
Premier League, Stamford Bridge - Chelsea 4 (Pedro 11, Batshuayi 71, 90+5, Azpiliceuta 87) Watford 2 (Doucoure 45, Pereyra 49)
Chelsea's Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi (R) celebrates his second, and the team's fourth goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Watford
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Michy Batshuayi bagged a brace as Chelsea came from 2-1 down to win 4-2 against Watford - who missed some crucial chances to put the game beyond doubt.
Two consecutive defeats in the Premier League for Antonio Conte’s side had piled the pressure on the Italian, but a stunning goal from Pedro gave the Blues the best possible start. Chelsea were never convincing defensively however and they were pegged back on the stroke of half-time when Abdoulaye Doucoure’s smart finish levelled the scores.
Richarlison missed a golden opportunity to put Watford ahead after the restart, but the Brazilian made amends moments later when he picked out Roberto Pereyra who did convert. Richarlison then missed another huge chance.
Conte changed to a 4-4-2 formation, introducing Michy Batshuayi, and it was the substitute who transformed the game in Chelsea’s favour; the Belgian levelled the scores before Cesar Azpilicueta grabbed a dramatic late goal to give the hosts the lead.
Batshuayi then completed the scoring in injury-time to ensure Chelsea leapfrog the Hornets into fourth place.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Michy Batshuayi (Chelsea): The 24-year-old had a devastating impact after replacing Alvaro Morata on the hour mark. Batshuayi has now scored more than half of his seven Premier League goals against the Hornets.
TALKING POINT
Batshuayi may well have saved Conte’s job – for now: There had been whispers that the Italian would have lost his job had his Chelsea side lost their third consecutive Premier League game – and they were heading for defeat until Batshuayi was introduced on the hour-mark. It proved to be a masterstroke.
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Michy Batshuayi of Chelsea celebrates scoring the 2nd Chelsea goal
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PLAYER RATINGS
Chelsea: Courtois 6; Rudiger 5, David Luiz 5, Cahill 5; Azpilicueta 7, Bakayoko 5, Fabregas 6, Alonso 5; Pedro 8, Morata 5, Hazard 6. Subs: Zappacosta 6, Willian 7, Batshuayi 8.
Watford: Gomes 6, Kabasele 5, Britos 7, Mariappa 6, Femenia 7, Cleverley 6, Doucoure 7, Holebas 7, Pereyra 7, Deeney 6, Richarlison 7. Subs: Gray N/A, Watson 6, Carillo 6.
KEY MOMENTS
12’ - GOAL! A stunner from Pedro gives Chelsea the lead! Watford are caught sleeping as Chelsea work another short corner. Hazard plays the ball to Pedro, who is unmarked 25 yards out, and hammers his first-time effort in off the crossbar giving Gomes no chance.
45’+3 GOAL - Watford are level! Abdoulaye Doucoure somehow finds the bottom corner with a lovely first-time effort after Luis failed to clear convincingly from Holebas's long throw-in.
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Watford's French midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure (R) celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Watford
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48’ - WHAT A MISS! Femeina gets behind Alonso too easily, he squares the ball for Richarlison who is left with a simple tap-in but he inexplicably puts the ball wide from a few yards out!
49’ - GOAL! Watford are ahead! What a start to the second half for the visitors! Pereyra makes up for Richarlison's glaring miss moments earlier. The Argentine is picked out by Richarlison at the back post, and he lifts the ball over Courtois. Chelsea's defence was unlocked all too easily.
54’ - RICHARLISON HEADS WIDE! The Brazilian meets Pereyra's inch-perfect cross but somehow glances his header wide with Courtois rooted to the spot. Watford should be 3-1 up, at least.
71’ - GOAL! Batshuayi scores the equaliser for Chelsea! The substitute heads home emphatically from Pedro's pin-point cross from the right channel and the hosts are level once more. What a time for the forward to make himself a hero!
87’ - GOAL! Azpilicueta grabs the winner for Chelsea, surely?! Willian delivers an inviting cross into the penalty area, the ball takes a nick off a Watford defender and into the path of Azpilicueta who heads past Gomes at the back post. A big, BIG goal for the hosts.
90’+4 GOAL! Batshuayi makes sure of the points! The substitute grabs his second of the game! Britos's poor pass is intercepted by Bakayoko who heads the ball into the path of Batshuayi and he applies the finish.
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Richarlison de Andrade of Watford looks dejected after missing a chance during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Watford
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KEY STATS
- Michy Batshuayi has scored six goals in his last nine Premier League appearances, after netting just once in his previous 17.
- Cesar Azpilicueta has been directly involved in more Premier League goals than any other defender this season (five - one goal, four assists).
- Since the start of last season, Chelsea have scored more Premier League goals via defenders than any other team.
- Richarlison (five) has scored or assisted more Premier League goals than any other Watford player this term (three goals, two assists).
- Abdoulaye Doucouré has scored with all four of his shots on target in the Premier League this season.
- Pedro has had a hand in more goals in all competitions in 2017 than any other Chelsea player (12 goals, eight assists)
THE MATCH IN A TWEET
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