SteemSports Presenter:@timoshey
SteemSports Editor:@scottybuckets
With just a few days left to the UEFA Champions League game against Spanish giants Barcelona, Chelsea FC were dealt yet another blow by a lower opposition, and this time it was the Spanish boy on loan from Barcelona who pilled the misery on Conte’s men. Gerard Deulofeu was a constant threat down the right wing for Watford and the combination of both Zappacosta and Cahill could hardly do a thing to stop him once he was running at the defense.
Javi Gracia secured a win on his home debut for Watford tonight. Tiemoue Bakayoko was sent off in the first half on the 30-minute mark after receiving two yellow cards in the space of five minutes. Although Chelsea were not impressive prior to this decision, the red card put further pressure on the reigning champions and Antonio Conte was forced to make a change, bringing in Cesc Fabregas for Willian to add some stability to the midfield.
Watford finally went ahead thanks to a penalty by skipper Troy Deeney after Thibaut Courtois was guilty of bringing down Deulofeu in the box, though replay showed there was minimal contact. From then on, Watford piled the pressure on Chelsea but failed to find the back of the net with all their attempts, and were made to pay for their wasted chances as an individual brilliance from Eden Hazard drew the game level to the delight of the Chelsea fans in the away section of the Vicarage Road Stadium.
Just like the game against Liverpool and Tottenham, 3 goals in the last 6 minutes of normal time turned the game around and Conte was in disbelief as his Chelsea side were totally outclassed exposed at the back. Watford restored their lead after a wonderful link-up play between Janmaat and Pereyra at the edge of the box before the former slotted a cool finish into the bottom corner of the net. Deulofeu, making his debut for his new club was next to go on the score sheet as he was allowed space to run at the Chelsea defense and drive a low shot into the net beating Courtois in goal. More misery was to follow for the Blues as substitute Pereyra who came in for the wasteful Richarlison was able to find the top corner from a tight angle to wrap up a miserable night for Chelsea.
Olivier Giroud came on to make his debut for Chelsea and went close to finding the back of the net but fired his shot wide. This result means Chelsea will remain in 4th, just 1 point behind Liverpool in 3rd and 1 point above Tottenham in 5th place.
KEY STATS:
· Chelsea have now lost more league games this season (6) than they did in the entire 2016-17 campaign (5) when they won the League.
· The Blues have lost consecutive Premier League games by a 3+ goal margin for the first time since October 1995 (1-4 vs Man Utd, 0-3 vs Blackburn).
· Watford earned their first win in any competition against Chelsea in 14 attempts (D3 L10), since a 1-0 win in September 1999.
· Javi Gracia is the first Watford manager to win his first home Premier League game in charge of the club.
· Eden Hazard scored his first Premier League goal against Watford; Huddersfield are now the only current side he’s faced but not scored against in the competition.
· All three of Troy Deeney’s Premier League goals this season have been penalties against ‘big six’ sides (Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea).
· Three players have now received red cards for fouls on Richarlison this season (Davinson Sanchez, Jonathan Hogg, and Tiemoue Bakayoko), more than any other player in the division.
Watford Starting XI
Orestis Karnezis; Adrian Mariappa, Sebastian Prodl, Jose Holebas; Daryl Janmaat, Etienne Capoue, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Marvin Zeegelaar; Gerard Deulofeu, Richarlison; Troy Deeney
Chelsea Starting XI
Thibaut Courtois; Gary Cahill, David Luiz, Cesar Azpilicueta; Davide Zappacosta, Tiemoue Bakayoko, N’Golo Kante, Victor Moses; Pedro, Willian; Eden Hazard.
Thank you for following @steemsports and you can find me @timoshey
Just my luck I quit watching at the 65th minute to get some work done. I missed all the action.
Great post.
I must say, I hate the doping that's spoiled English football over the last 15 years so whilst City go from strength to strength, undeservedly (if we're honest), it's good to see Chelsea suffer a pretty major wobble.
Hopefully, Barca will put them out of the CL (as a neutral would probably expect) and their form in the prem continue to plummet.
First Bournemouth. And now Watford? They shouldn't be getting hammered by these minnows but I'm hardly complaining.
Great write-up. Say you're not a Chelsea fan, @steemsports! ;) I hope for your sake you're not, anyway.