Chelsea vs Watford as it happened: Champions come from behind to beat Hornets at the death
Re-live all the action from the Premier League clash
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Your support makes all the difference.Chelsea host London rivals Watford on Saturday as they look to bounce back from a recent dip in form.
Antonio Conte's men have not won in their last three games and currently sit nine points behind league leaders Manchester City.
Chelsea take on an in-form Watford side who have 15 points to their name in fourth.
David Luiz and Tiemoue Bakayoko join Chelsea’s growing injury list while Younes Kaboul and Sebastian Prodl remain absent for Watford.
Follow all the live action below...
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What time does it start?
The game kicks off at 12.30pm on Saturday 21 October at Stamford Bridge.
Where can I watch it?
The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event. Coverage starts at 11.30am.
It’s a big game for?
Antonio Conte. It says all you need to know about the state of the modern game but the pressure is on for the Italian – especially with Roman Roman Abramovich as your boss. Chelsea have not won in three and are showing signs of a pre-Christmas wobble. The Blues have their hands full against a high-flying Watford team and only a win will be enough to restore some calm and order to the Bridge.
Player to watch?
Eden Hazard. The Belgian failed to impress against Crystal Palace last week but was the hero in blue on Wednesday night as he salvaged his side a precious point at home against Roma. Fans will have their fingers crossed that the right Hazard turns up and, if he does, Watford should be in for a difficult time.
Head-to-head:
Chelsea 4 Watford 3, Premier League, May 2017
Watford 1 Chelsea 2, Premier League, August 2016
Watford 0 Chelsea 0, Premier League, February 2016
Form:
Chelsea: DLLWW
Watford: WDWLW
Odds:
Chelsea to win: 4/11
Draw: 14/1
Watford to win: 17/2
19' - Adrian Mariappa goes into the referee's book for a late challenge on Eden Hazard inside the centre circle.
He's the second Watford player to be cautioned after Jose Holebas was booked earlier on for protesting the decision to award a corner to Chelsea in the build-up to the Blues' opener.
22' - That's lovely. Cesc Fabregas fires a low pass into Eden Hazard and the Belgian somehow manages to kill the pace on the ball with his elegant flick back to Tiemoue Bakayoko. The Frenchman takes a touch before attempting to bend the ball into the far corner but his effort is blocked by a Watford defender.
24' - Pedro, brimming with confidence, goes for goal from distance again but this time his 30-yard effort bounces wide of Heurelho Gomes' far post.
28' - Watford have started this game well but they're yet to test Thibaut Courtois. Richarlison on the left wing looks like the player most likely to make something happen for the visitors.
30' - "Anything you can do, I can do better!"
Well, not this time David Luiz. The Brazilian attempts to bend a shot of his own into the top corner from distance but his effort lacks the accuracy of Pedro's earlier stunner and Heurelho Gomes catches the ball.
31' - Watford win a free-kick in a threatening position just outside the Chelsea penalty area. Tom Cleverley's curled effort beats the wall but not Thibaut Courtois, who parries the ball out for a throw-in.
33' - Troy Deeney goes for goal from distance but his low effort is straight down the throat of Thibaut Courtois.
Watford are growing into this game as an attacking threat.
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