Chelsea’s action-packed win against Watford – in pictures
Cesc Fabregas netted a late winner for Chelsea after they had lost a two-goal lead at Stamford Bridge, where John Terry scored what could turn out to be his final goal for the club. It was an eventful night which ended with Antonio Conte and his players being cheered off the pitch following a lap of honour.
Terry fairytale – or so it seemed
Terry added to the celebratory mood – and delighted the home crowd – by putting the newly-crowned champions ahead. The Blues skipper, who will leave the Bridge at the end of the season, hooked the ball in from close range after Kurt Zouma had risen to meet Willian’s right-wing corner.
Terry’s mistake
However, a mistake by Terry gifted Watford an equaliser a couple of minutes later. Daryl Janmaat crossed from the left and after Nathan Ake’s aerial challenge on Eteinne Capoue, Terry and Nathaniel Chalobah got in each other’s way and the former England defender’s attempted header clear fell straight to Capoue, who headed past keeper Asmir Begovic.
‘Dave’ hits back
Chelsea regained the lead 10 minutes before half-time when Janmaat headed Eden Hazard’s corner as far as Cesar Azpilicueta, who thumped the ball into the net from near the edge of the penalty area – the defender’s first league goal of the season. A fine strike.
Batshuayi scores again
Michy Batshuayi, making his first Premier League start, and having scored the goal at West Brom on Friday which clinched the title, made it 3-1 three minutes into the second half. Kenedy’s shot was deflected into the path of Nathan Ake, who teed up Batshuayi for a simple tap in.
Watford fightback
Chelsea seemed to be firmly in control. But Janmaat scored a fine individual goal a couple of minutes later, weaving his way into the box from the left-hand side and past Ake before finishing with aplomb. And when Zouma failed to clear Tom Cleverly’s ball in from the right, substitute Stefano Okaka blasted past Begovic.
Fabregas has the final word
For all their shortcomings at the back, Chelsea were always the superior attacking force and they regained the lead again when Fabregas, also on as a substitute, scored in the 88th minute. Willian found the Spaniard, who finished emphatically with a first-time shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Prodl sees red
Watford ended the match with 10 men after Sebastian Prodl was sent off for a second bookable offence following a reckless injury-time challenge on Pedro. That was soon followed by a melee as the visitors’ frustration boiled over.
King Conte
With yet another win in the bag, the new champions of England saluted the home fans during a lap of honour after the match. Conte clearly savoured the moment – and there could still be an FA Cup to follow.
