Chelsea vs Watford: 5 Talking Points

Modified Oct 21, 2017 15:50 GMT

One thing Che3lsea were brilliant at last season was defending. This season, not so much. Too many errors at the back are leading to Chelsea suffering throughout the game and today was nothing different.

Watford controlled the game the majority of the time but Chelsea capitalized on some casual defending the end by Burnley to squeeze out a 4-2 win. Here are the talking points from the game:

#5 – Time to Change formation?

With Chelsea trailing 2-1, Antonio Conte made a unique change. He took off Marcos Alonso and brought on Willian. Chelsea then played with a formation that looked like a 4-2-3-1 but Conte was adamant that it was still a 3-4-3.

The change gave Batsuayi a lot of freedom up front and the same happened for Willian. The two have been poor this season but were brilliant today. Antonio Conte must think about switching the formation right now.

3-4-3 isn't working with the players Chelsea have currently fit. A switch, for the time being, will help the club get the results and should they get in the players Conte needs in January, they can switch back.

#4 – Richarlison's misses prove costly

In the summer, Richarlison had 2 offers on the table – One from Chelsea & the other from Watford. The Brazilian opted for a move to the Hornets and has been proving his worth every week.

However, when Watford needed him today, he just could not deliver. He missed 2 glorious chances – one just before Watford went up 2-1 and the other just after they took the lead.

Had he converted those chances, the Hornets would have won the game with ease and kept their place in the Top 4. But sadly, that wasn't the case as Chelsea made him pay for his mistakes by scoring 3 late goals and sealing a 4-2 win!

#3 – Michy Batshuayi steps up

Michy Batshuayi has been facing a lot of criticism for his recent form. He's not settled in at all at Chelsea and is still finding it difficult to adapt to Conte's tactics. However, a slight change today and the Belgian was on the scoresheet.

He looked sharp and was clinical in front of goal when he got the chances. His first goal was a great example of awareness as he ran ahead of two Watford defenders and headed in Willian's cross.

His last game, against Crystal Palace, was a woeful one and Conte had removed him before the hour mark. If he keeps working hard on and off the pitch like this, Conte might actually put in more trust in him and not take him off when he gets the chance to start.

#2 – Watford are a serious threat

Hull City v Watford - Premier League — Mini Mourinho!

“What is this geezer any different to Gary Rowett?” – Paul Merson

Paul Merson wanted an answer and Marco Silva is giving him one! The manager might not have managed to keep Hull City in the Premier League but he's surely working his magic at Watford.

The Hornets might not be getting the results they want against eh big clubs but they are sitting 5th on the table right now and should they continue to perform like this, there is no stopping them from finishing in a Europa League spot.

They controlled the whole match and could have easily come away with all three points had it not been for Richarlison's misses. Apart from the 6-0 trashing at the hands of Manchester City, they have been a team to watch out for this season.

#1 – The need for VAR in Premier League

The call for Video Assistant Referee in the Premier League gets louder and louder as days go by. The game at Stamford Bridge today made it even more clear that it's time for the FA to bring in the 'artificial' referee.

The ball clipped off Eden Hazard's backheel and went out for a goal-kick but to Watford's shock, it was given as a corner. the corner resulted in Chelsea's first goal and made things for the visitors.

Apart from this, Richarlison was diving every single time he was touched by a Chelsea player and the referee could not keep an eye on everything. There was a small incident in which Rudiger elbowed a Watford player and that too was missed by the referee.

Edited by Shambhu Ajith