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Premier League
Aug 20, 2016 at 3pm UK
 
Chelsea logo

1-2

Capoue (55')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Batshuayi (80'), Costa (87')

Live Commentary: Watford 1-2 Chelsea - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live coverage of Chelsea's 2-1 victory away at Watford in the Premier League.
2

Chelsea have scored twice in the final 10 minutes to record a 2-1 victory away at Watford.

The Hornets appeared to be on their way to the win after Etienne Capoue sent a volley into the top corner from 20 yards but the Blues were back on level terms with 10 minutes remaining when Michy Batshuayi scored his first for the club.

With three minutes remaining, Costa found his second winning goal this week when firing home from Cesc Fabregas's pass to extend Antonio Conte's 100% record at the club.

Read below to see how the action unfolded at Vicarage Road.


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Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Premier League clash at Vicarage Road between Watford and Chelsea.

Antonio Conte and Walter Mazzarri have previously locked horns in their native Italy but this afternoon, the pair will take to the dugout in the Premier League for just the second time as they look to continue their unbeaten starts to the season. Will see a game more associated with Serie A or the English top flight?

Before we take a look at the two teams, let me point you in the direction of the Premier League clash that is currently taking place at the Britannia Stadium between Stoke City and Manchester City. With around 15 minutes to go, Man City hold a 2-1 lead but things are usually never simple when a big team face Stoke in the Potteries. Follow our live coverage here.

Anyway, without further ado, let's take a look at the team news emerging from the two changing rooms at Vicarage Road.

WATFORD XI: Gomes; Cathcart, Prodl, Britos; Amrabat, Behrami, Capoue, Guedioura, Holebas; Deeney, Ighalo

WATFORD SUBSTITUTES: Pantilimon, Nyom, Hoban, Zuniga, Anya, Doucoure, Vydra

CHELSEA XI: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Kante; Pedro, Oscar, Matic, Hazard; Diego Costa

CHELSEA SUBSTITUTES: Begovic, Aina, Loftus-Cheek, Fabregas, Chalobah, Moses, Batshuayi

After their 1-1 draw away at Southampton last weekend, Mazzarri has decided to select an unchanged starting lineup. It comes as no surprise with the Hornets battling to a point with 10 men during the closing stages and the players who have been chosen probably deserve a second chance to get Watford's win on the board.

As for Chelsea, Conte has made one alteration to the team who got the better of West Ham United in the London derby. Willian is missing with a calf problem so Pedro has been drafted into the attacking-midfield three behind Diego Costa, who is fortunate to be starting this game after avoiding a red card against the Hammers.

HEAD TO HEAD! Surprisingly (in my opinion anyway), this is just the 30th meeting between the two teams. Chelsea have won almost half of them with 14 victories to their name while Watford have prevailed nine times. However, Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 10, with seven wins and three draws. I've probably just set it up for a Watford win...

RESULT! The full-time whistle has gone at the Britannia Stadium and Manchester City have ran out 4-1 winners after two late strikes from Nolito compounded Stoke's misery. That's a bonus if you have the Spaniard in your fantasy football teams...

You can read our full report here.


We have to agree - Vicarage Road is looking very picturesque this afternoon. Let's hope the sun stays out!



PREVIEW! If the idea of me rambling on about this game for the next 20 minutes does not appeal to you, maybe our full in-depth preview does? You can get the lowdown on each side by clicking here.

Before we get on to today's hosts, let's talk about Chelsea's performance against West Ham on Monday night. It wasn't the perfect performance from Conte's side but one thing different from last season is the passion that the Blues showed in front of their home supporters. Chelsea won just five of their 19 Premier League games at Stamford Bridge last season which meant that their fear factor in West London had disappeared ahead of the visit of the Hammers so to set their stall out and grind out three points were pretty impressive. That said, we are yet to see how Conte will set up on his travels. The formation looks similar to the one used on Monday but whether Chelsea are more reserves on territory, only time will tell.

It was perhaps difficult for Mazzarri to make a true assessment of his side away at Southampton - especially having been reduced to 10 men in the closing stages - but what the Italian looks to have installed in his players is belief and desire. That seemed non-existent during the final two months of last season and it ultimately led to Quique Sanchez Flores being removed from his position as manager. The fact that Watford are already winning points on the road can only be seen as a positive.

Last season's game at Vicarage Road ended in a goalless draw. There's an argument for both teams being satisfied with that scoreline this afternoon but I'm sure they will be focusing their efforts on trying to lay down a marker, from both a team and egotistical perspective. Mazzarri has openly stated that he is not friends with Conte so there's the potential for it to get a bit tasty on the touchline.

PREDICTION! With it being so early in the season, we are going to take the opportunity to sit on the fence. While Chelsea will justifiably be favourites, the power of Deeney and Ighalo may be too much to handle so we are predicting that this game will end in a score draw, either 1-1 or 2-2.

As always on a Saturday afternoon, we at Sports Mole have more than one game available to you so if you would like to follow some of the other Premier League fixtures this afternoon, take a look here

It's time for the players to make their way out onto the beautiful playing surface at Vicarage Road. There's a vibrant atmosphere as both sets of supporters anticipate getting more points on the board. Kickoff coming right up.

We are underway.

The first thing to note is that Chelsea are operating in the 4-1-41 formation that they used against West Ham. Matic is sitting in front of the back foot with Kante and Oscar in front of him.

There's been of chanting from the supporters but very little goal-mouth action. Ivanovic almost got in down the right but his cross was dealt with by the Watford defence.

Costa is looking to get in behind the Watford defence as much as he can and his endeavour manages to win the Blues a corner. Unfortunately for the visitors, Hazard's set piece is cleared to safety. Decent start from Chelsea, however.

CHANCE! Chelsea have been the better side in these early stages but the first opportunity has gone to Watford. Britos passed the ball to Holebas but his low drive was comfortably saved by Courtois, who had to dive down low to keep the ball out.

Watford are slowly building up a head of steam here and the ball is being sent into the Chelsea box at all angles. Terry has needed to be alert to head clear but the attacks keep coming from the home side. Encouraging response from the Hornets, who didn't see a lot of the ball in the early stages.

Back come Chelsea through Hazard, who it has to be said looks a lot livelier than last season! A brilliant run and cross comes to an end when Capoue heads behind for a corner. The Blues can do nothing with the set piece.

Not much to talk about in terms of chances but we have a highly-competitive game taking place here. Watford look up for causing a surprise.

Half-chance for Chelsea but it is never threatening Gomes's net. Oscar received the ball on the edge of the area but he got no power on his shot and it trickled wide of the target.

BOOKINGS! Two bookings in very quick succession and it's one for either side. Cahill is cautioned for a foul during a Watford counter-attack before Deeney for a late challenge on Hazard.

CHANCE! It's taken almost 25 minutes but he finally have a clear-cut opportunity. Amrabat gets the better of Azpilicueta before finding Ighalo but the striker is unable to find the target from close range. That could and should have been a goal.

Up the other end, Hazard's delivery from Ivanovic in the penalty area but his header lacked the pace to pose any trouble for Gomes.

We are half-an-hour through this game and there is very little to split the two teams. Watford are having the better of the chances and Chelsea are having more of the ball in the opposition's half. It's simmering...for now.

SHOT! More promising play from Watford ends up Guedioura driving the ball over the crossbar from distance. Those kind of efforts from the Algerian either find the net or find the stand. That shot found the stand.

After that initial burst near the start of the game, we have not seen much of Costa. He's been so quiet he hasn't come close to getting booked...yet. Ten minutes to go until the break.

I almost spoke too soon. Costa gets a shot in on goal that is deflected wide but the assistant ruled that he was in an offside position.

If this scoreline remains the same heading into the break, you have to wonder which manager will be happier. Mazzarri has seen his team cause Chelsea problems at the back while Chelsea are offering glimpses of what they are capable of on the counter-attack.

Chelsea win a free kick in a threatening position on the edge of the box after Hazard is brought down. Can the Blues do anything with this...

SHOT! Hazard gets his shot on target but Gomes comfortably deals with the shot. There will be one minute of added-on time.

HALF TIME: Watford 0-0 Chelsea

The half-time whistle goes at Vicarage Road and we head into the break on level terms. It has been a decent half of football without many chances of note being created. Ighalo had the best opportunity for the Hornets while Hazard's free kick is the closest that Chelsea have come.

The teams are back out. Neither manager has made a change. With that all sorted, let's get cracking with the second half.

Chelsea get us back underway.

There's been nothing more than sparring at the start of this second half. Lots of huffing and puffing but very little damage being done.

CHANCE! Could Chelsea have made more of that? Probably. After Costa failed to get a decisive touch to a pass from Oscar, the ball fell to Hazard but the Belgian sent his shot over the bar.

GOAL! Watford 1-0 Chelsea (Capoue)

Well Capoue has certainly been practising his shooting over the summer! The former Spurs midfielder did not net a single goal last season but now he has two in two! It's a terrific goal too, with the Frenchman chesting the ball down on the edge of the area before lashing the ball into the top corner.

What have Chelsea got in response? The answer is very nearly an equaliser but after Hazard received the ball at an acute angle, his resulting shot was well dealt with by Gomes.

SHOT! It's been a solid response from the visitors, who have Matic try his luck from distance only to see the ball go well wide of the post. It will be interesting to see how the home side react to this. They won't want to sit back too deep.

The pressure is continuing to come from Chelsea but it surely can't be too long before he see the introduction of Batshuayi. He made an impact against West Ham and he is going to be required to do the same in this game.

SUBSTITUTION! Interesting first change from Conte. Moses has replaced Pedro. You'd have been given a funny look had you suggested that 12 months ago. The winger is being given a chance by his new manager.

Just before that substitution, Chelsea had a big appeal for a penalty and they were probably justified too. It apepars that Cathcart handled the ball in the area but Watford survive.

SUBSTITUTION! Batshuayi has finally been introduced in place of Oscar. Chelsea look to be putting two up top.

SUBSTITUTION! It's time for Cesc Fabregas, who makes his first appearance of the season in place of Matic. The Blues could really do with some Spanish magic during the closing stages because the match is starting to get away from them.

GOAL! Watford 1-1 Chelsea (Batshuayi

Well, it was starting to get away from them! Chelsea have their equalising goal and it's Batshuayi who has got it. Hazard's shot was saved but not held by Gomes and the Belgian was in the right place at the right time to tap home from six yards.

SUBSTITUTION! It's the end of the afternoon for Capoue, who limps off with Doucoure taking his place. Six minutes left at Vicarage Road.

As it stands, it is Chelsea who are pressing for a winning goal but they are going to have to be careful at the back. Watford aren't finished as an attacking force in this game.

GOAL! Watford 1-2 Chelsea (Costa)

Is the the winning goal for Chelsea? It's been a quick-fire turnaround at Vicarage Road. An exquisite ball over the top from Fabregas found Costa and the volatile Spanish international did the rest as he fired the ball past Gomes.

There will be four minutes of added-on time. Watford need one last charge...

WOODWORK! A sharp turn and shot from Batshuayi results in him hitting the crossbar but I don't think it is going to matter...

FULL TIME: Watford 1-2 Chelsea

The full-time whistle goes at Vicarage Road and what a turnaround we have had! Chelsea looked on course for their first defeat under Antonio Conte before two late goals earned them the three points. It was probably deserved, just about, but Watford will feel aggrieved having let slip a lead late on.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match but we hope that you can stick around for all of the results and reaction, as well as our live commentary of the game involving Leicester City and Arsenal. Goodbye for now.

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Inter Milan head coach Walter Mazzarri on the touchline during his team's Serie A match against Sassuolo on September 22, 2013
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