Chelsea strike twice late on to beat Watford
Watford 1 Chelsea 2
Michy Batshuayi and Diego Costa both scored in the last 10 minutes as Chelsea hit back to win at Vicarage Road.
The Blues had fallen behind 10 minutes into the second half when former Tottenham midfielder Etienne Capoue lashed past Blues keeper Thibaut Courtois at the near post.
The goal prompted Conte to switch to a 4-2-4 formation, bringing on Batshuayi, and it paid off when the Belgian tapped in after Watford keeper Heurelho Gomes had splled Eden Hazard’s shot.
And Chelsea completed the turnaround thanks to another substitute, Cesc Fabregas, whose 40-yard pass from inside his own half set Costa free and he finished through Gomes’ legs.
The dramatic finish, earning Chelsea their second win in five days under Conte, was light years away from a poor first half.
Watford had the better of the few chances created. Courtois denied Jose Holebas early on, Odion Ighalo scooped Nordin Amrabat’s cross over the top and Adlene Guedioura lashd a shot into the stand from the edge of the box.
The Hornets went ahead when Adlene Guedioura’s cross evaded both Troy Deeney and Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic in the middle, before falling for Capoue, who took a touch before drilling it home.
The game turned on Conte’s changes in response to the goal, switching to a 4-2-4 formation.
Batshuayi was particularly lively after his introduction and he was in the right place to turn in after Gomes had made a mess of collecting Hazard’s hopeful effort.
Fabregas, left on the bench against West Ham, was used this time and gave a reminder of his quality by sending a long pass into Costa, who ran clear of the defence and slotted in.
Batshuayi hit the woodwork late on as Chelsea finished strongly.
Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Kante; Pedro (Moses 71), Oscar (Batshuayi 73), Matic (Fabregas 78), Hazard; Costa.
Subs not used: Begovic, Aina, Loftus-Cheek, Chalobah.
