Premier League 2019-20, Watford 1-2 Chelsea: 5 Talking Points

Chelsea defeated Watford 1-2 in this weekend's evening kick-off in the Premier League, but it wasn’t without some scares.

The Blues took the lead in the 5th minute through Tammy Abraham, and then doubled it early in the second half when Abraham’s cross found the in-form Christian Pulisic for a tap-in. It looked like Frank Lampard’s side would cruise to victory, but a VAR-awarded penalty from Gerard Deulofeu in the 80th minute gave Watford a lifeline.

Quique Sanchez Flores’ side almost leveled with the last kick of the game when goalkeeper Ben Foster met a corner. But Kepa Arrizabalaga pulled off a dramatic save to hand Chelsea all three points and send them into 3rd place in the league table.

Here are 5 talking points from the game.

#1 VAR makes another questionable call

VAR awarded Gerard Deulofeu a questionable penalty, giving Watford an unlikely lifeline

A Watford comeback in this game looked as unlikely as a chant for Sarri-ball from Chelsea’s fans. But somehow the Hornets were handed an opportunity to snatch a point after scoring a VAR-awarded penalty in the 80th minute.

To say this was a questionable decision, however, would be an understatement.

There did appear to be some contact – albeit absolutely minimal – when Jorginho’s foot touched Gerard Deulofeu inside Chelsea’s penalty box. But the Spaniard launched himself to the ground like he’d been shot out of a cannon, clearly exaggerating how much contact there had been.

Referee Anthony Taylor was not convinced and waved away Deulofeu’s penalty claims, only for VAR to over-rule the decision and award the spot-kick.

The whole situation had the feel of a farce, particularly as each replay shown – and there were plenty of them as the officials at Stockley Park clearly needed convincing – only appeared to strengthen the idea that Deulofeu had made a meal of any contact.

VAR has caused plenty of controversy already this season, and while this didn’t impact the result of the game in the end, it was certainly noteworthy. The Premier League apparently doesn’t want the in-game officials checking a pitch-side monitor as they fear it’ll slow down the game, but today’s decision took seemingly forever anyway - bringing the whole system into question yet again.

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#2 Chelsea’s defence held firm under pressure

Chelsea's defence - including Fikayo Tomori - looked tremendous today

After scoring their goal, Watford threw everything they had at Chelsea. And while there were some scares – most notably from Ben Foster’s effort in the dying seconds of the game – the Blues’ defence held firm.

In fact, they held firm under all the pressure the Hornets put on throughout the game, restricting the hosts to just three shots on target.

There have been plenty of questions around Chelsea’s defence throughout this season. Eyebrows were raised when Frank Lampard sold David Luiz to Arsenal in the summer, and things didn’t look good when they conceded four goals against Manchester United on the opening day of the season.

Since then, however, the Blues’ back-line has improved dramatically, even without the experience of the injured Antonio Rudiger.

Both Kurt Zouma and Fikayo Tomori performed admirably today at centre-back, with numerous blocks and clearances to go alongside their willingness to pass the ball out of danger. In fact, with the form they’re showing, it’s hard to see Rudiger regaining his first-choice spot when he does return to action.

Sure, Chelsea will find trickier tests than Watford in the upcoming weeks. But it does appear that Lampard has found a way to turn a negative into a positive this season – and we’re only three months in.

#3 Toothless Hornets are destined for the drop unless they can find goals

Watford's Andre Gray struggled in front of goal

Watford didn’t play outright badly today, but after this loss they remain firmly rooted at the bottom of the Premier League table. And to be quite frank, it’s difficult to see them getting out of danger while they remain so toothless in front of goal.

Take away Gerard Deulofeu’s controversial penalty today and they would’ve ended the game goalless. Had that been the case, it would’ve been the Hornets’ 7th blank of 2019-20 – and we’re only 11 games into the season.

Based on today it’s easy to understand why Quique Sanchez Flores’ side have only scored 6 goals thus far – the least of any Premier League side.

Their players did get themselves into some dangerous positions today, but in all honesty they never really tested Kepa Arrizabalaga – 3 shots on target all game says a lot. And for the majority of the game it felt like Deulofeu was doing all the attacking work by himself.

It’s true that their main striker – Troy Deeney – has been injured since August. But it’s also painfully clear that without him the goals are going to be hard to come by; today’s striker Andre Gray was essentially anonymous.

Unless they can change that soon, Watford will continue to be in deep trouble.

#4 Abraham remains the main man for Lampard

Tammy Abraham looks like Chelsea's most effective striker since Diego Costa

After seeing Tammy Abraham draw blanks in his last four games for Chelsea, Blues boss Frank Lampard could’ve been forgiven for changing things up in today’s match with Watford. He could've started either Michy Batshuayi, who had found the net in his last two fixtures, or veteran Olivier Giroud.

Instead, Lampard kept faith in Abraham and once again, that faith was repaid thoroughly.

Abraham held the line impressively for the Blues practically the entire game. And while he missed a couple of excellent chances – it must be said that Watford keeper Ben Foster had a tremendous game – when it mattered, the England youngster delivered the goods.

After just five minutes he latched on to a phenomenal pass from Jorginho to clip the ball over Foster and into the net. And early in the second half it was he who got on to the end of Willian’s ball to cross to the unmarked Christian Pulisic and double Chelsea’s lead.

Abraham might be somewhat unproven at the top level, but thus far he’s proving to be Chelsea’s most effective striker since Diego Costa. In 11 Premier League games he’s scored 9 goals and made 2 assists, and his confidence appears to be growing by the week.

If any player epitomizes Lampard’s youthful revolution at Stamford Bridge, it’s Abraham.

#5 Jorginho and Kovacic look born again under Lampard

Jorginho has improved massively under Frank Lampard's stewardship

The majority of the press around Frank Lampard’s Chelsea revolution has focused on the young players he’s introduced to the Blues’ first team like Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori. But it’s equally important to point out the impact that the former England midfielder has made on some of his veterans.

Last season, midfielders Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic were largely maligned under Italian boss Maurizio Sarri. Jorginho was seen as the epitome of ‘Sarri-Ball’ and his sidewards passing style drove Blues fans insane, while Kovacic seemed ineffective wherever he was deployed.

To say that that’s changed now would be an understatement.

Both men have been fantastic in 2019-20, and today’s game was no exception. Jorginho’s passing was outstanding, and the ball he played for Tammy Abraham’s opening goal might’ve been the best assist of the season thus far.

Kovacic meanwhile buzzed around the centre of the pitch like a man possessed, driving forward with the ball and slicing through Watford’s defence while also displaying a great ability to work in tight spaces.

Both men were so good that it’d almost be hard to justify dropping either for N’Golo Kante when he returns. For anyone questioning Lampard’s coaching ability, a look at the improvement in Jorginho and Kovacic should soon silence them; they were simply immense today.