Diego Costa scored a late winner for the second Premier League fixture in a row as Chelsea came from behind to beat Watford at Vicarage Road. After a goalless first half in which Watford missed a couple of good opportunities, Walter Mazzarri’s side took the lead in the 55th minute when an unmarked Etienne Capoue brilliantly volleyed past Thibaut Courtois onto the roof of the net.
Chelsea found their feet since and equalised through new signing Michy Batshuayi in the 80th minute after Heurelho Gomes failed to collect Eden Hazard’s shot. Diego Costa – who shouldn’t have been on the pitch due to a dive when already on a caution – delivered the goods yet again with a late-late winner to maintain Antonio Conte’s 100% record as Blues’ boss and sink Watford.
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Here are the five talking points from Vicarage Road’s curtain-raiser this season:
#1 Watford had the better chances in the first half
The first half saw both sides cancel each other out in midfield – neither team could put together a string of passes to frustrate the opposition and get a foothold in the game. For Watford, it was Nordin Amrabat who looked the most threatening on the right wing – approaching the byline and keeping Cesar Azpilicueta on his toes.
On the other side, Eden Hazard showed more signs of putting the demons of last season to rest, as he kept skipping past Watford individuals with his quick feet and ability to change gear in a flash. It was the home side who had the better goal-scoring opportunities – first it was Jose Holebas who saw a shot saved by Thibaut Courtois, while Odion Ighalo could not get his foot onto an Amrabat cross, putting it over from 6 yards out.
Chelsea did not create much despite the possession and needed the spark of Cesc Fabregas (who was benched) to open up an organised Watford defence.
#2 Etienne Capoue, the unlikely goal getter for Watford this season
When most Fantasy Premier League managers were building their squads, not many would have selected central midfielder Etienne Capoue with the prediction that he wouldn't be part of Watford’s attacking prospects. They were wrong.
Following his opener against Southampton last week, he was at the right place again, controlling Adlene Guedioura’s cross before volleying the ball into the roof of the net. Troy Deeney deserves great credit for attracting right-back Branislav Ivanovic towards him in an attempt to get on the end of the cross.
The void left by Ivanovic was promptly taken advantage of by Capoue to give Walter Mazzarri’s side the lead, which they ultimately went on to squander.
#3 Antonio Conte makes inspired substitutions
Managers are judged on their ability to force the direction of the game in his team’s favour when the going gets tough. Antonio Conte – well renowned for his tactical masterclass in Italy’s Euro 2016 campaign – showed why Chelsea are a team to fear this season even when their backs are against the wall.
With his team 1-0 down and desperately needing a lift, he sent Michy Batshuayi and Cesc Fabregas on with the expectation that the duo would turn Chelsea’s fortunes around. They responded in perfect fashion. Batshuayi shone first, scoring a typical poacher’s goal by following up Eden Hazard’s shot which Hornet’s keeper Heurelho Gomes failed to hold on to.
However, it was Cesc Fabregas’ presence on the pitch which put the ball in Chelse’s court. He had a say in the first goal, setting up Hazard for the initial shot. Following that, he led Chelsea’s counter-attack for the winner, finding Diego Costa who made no mistake in slotting the ball home past Gomes.
Conte once again deserves a pat on the back for making an impact from the sidelines – switching to a striking partnership between Batshuayi and Costa and deploying Fabregas behind them.
#4 Diego Costa gets lucky – again
Chelsea’s bad boy got away with a red card for a high challenge on Adrian in Monday night’s derby victory over West ham, and he may well have escaped similar punishment at Vicarage Road again. The striker, who was booked early in the second half for dissent following Capoue’s goal appeared to dive on the edge of the penalty area under no pressure whatsoever from defender Miguel Britos.
Referee Jon Moss opted for the lenient route and decided to keep his cards in his pocket, when on another day Costa could easily have received his marching orders for blatant simulation. The decision proved vital in the end, as Costa finished off a Chelsea counter-attack to win the game in the late stages for the second time running.
#5 Watford’s decision to sit back costs them
For 65 minutes, Watford were very organised and disciplined in defence and in midfield – answering whatever questions Chelsea asked in attack. Miguel Britos – a couple of fouls apart – was composed alongside Seb Prodl at centre-back. When they had possession, they posed a threat to Courtois’ goal, going aerial with Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo as targets.
The move paid off for their goal, as Deeney forced Ivanovic to mark him for the cross, leaving Capoue beyond him free to volley past the Belgian keeper. However, their decision to sit back on that one goal lead and invite Chelsea pressure eventually came back to bite them.
They sat deep, allowed Chelsea to throw bodies forward and take the initiative. Chelsea ensured they did not miss the chance, scoring twice via substitute Batshuayi and Diego Costa amidst a plethora of goal-scoring opportunities to snatch the three points off Watford.
Ighalo and Deeney were effectively out of the game, while Watford’s defence ran out of steam in the latter stages. Conte’s side happily accepted the invitation, while a desolate Watford may well regret that decision to defend that precious lead when they should have looked to kill Chelsea off with a second goal.
