What a game of football we have just witnessed. Chelsea went 1-0 up, then Watford fought back to go 2-1 up, then the Champions rose again from the ashes to win the game 4-2, despite a just par performance.
Chelsea needed to win this game to not only get back into the top 4, but also to restore some confidence back after 3 disappointing performances in a row, which consisted of losses to Manchester City and Crystal Palace, and a draw at home to Roma in the Champions League. Watford, on the other hand, were pretty high on confidence after their last-gasp win against Arsenal.
The game was pretty well balanced, with Chelsea taking control after they got their first goal which was an excellent curler from Pedro from a quick corner which caught Watford napping to send Gomes just staring at the ball. The Blues should have made it 2-0 when Fabregas had delayed onto a wonderful through ball from Pedro, but delayed and tamely tried to chip Gomes which rendered useless.
Just as things were starting to calm down, then came the storm. Watford scored right on halftime owing to some poor defending from Chelsea, and Docoure managed to score past Courtois’s near post. Watford then took control for the most of the second half, with Richarlison missing 2 sitters either end of Pereyra’s goal that gave Watford the league. Bakayoko lost control in the middle, and Watford took Chelsea to the cleaners and was finished well by Pereyra, who was given all the time in the world to pick his spot. 2-1 to Watford. Chelsea again, seemed to have their heads dropped, Conte remained silent, and all looked gloom for the reigning champions.
Then came magic for Stamford Bridge outfit through a substitution in Michy Batshuayi. He put Chelsea level with a superb header from a beautiful cross from Azpilicueta, before the latter put the Champions in front from a Willian cross that missed Batshuayi and sent the Chelsea fans into raptures, and the Watford fans into despair.
Batshuayi rounded off the game with another goal, made by Bakayoko to send Chelsea to the top 4 and get them back into the title race. Watford, despite playing well, ended up on the losing side, but they can take heart from the performance at Stamford Bridge.
