Eden Hazard scores twice as Chelsea beat Watford
The Belgian helped the Blues to all three points
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Chelsea bounced back from defeat to Leicester with a hard-fought but impressive win at Watford.
Eden Hazard was the Blues' hero scoring twice to cancel out Roberto Pereyra's superb first-half equaliser and earn all three points and keep them in the hunt for the top four.
Here's how they did it:
Please allow a moment for the blog to load
11 min: Watford 0-0 Chelsea
Some concerning scenes for Watford fans at the moment, but he's back on his feet.
Christian Kabasele, who clattered into the post when attempting to block Willian's shot, is down, but shows powers of recovery to come back on with Adrian Marriappa stripped.
13 min: Watford 0-0 Chelsea
It appears there is no Christmas miracle. Kabasele is not able to continue after giving it a go for a couple of minutes, and Mariappa does indeed replace the Congolese-born Belgian.
20 min: Watford 0-0 Chelsea
The Hornets have settled into this game a bit more since the injury to Kabasele, and they could have fashioned a chance on top of that, but Ken Sema cannot make anything of a promising free-kick for Watford.
24 min: Watford 0-0 Chelsea
It's been a bitty half so far, which the injuries and stoppages have not helped. Hazard hasn't changed his game though, making his way past a number of Watford defenders in his unique way before seemingly being tripped.
Nothing given by the referee though
29 min: Watford 0-0 Chelsea
Abdoulaye Doucoure showing exactly why PSG want him.
The Frenchman gets the better of his man after collecting a Deulofeu pass, but has his shot well blocked by Jorginho.
32 min: Watford 0-0 Chelsea
That's not so impressive from the Frenchman though. Deeney holds off Rudiger and plays in Roberto Pererya, who finds Doucoure.
Sadly the midfielder's left foot lets him down and he fires over.
34 min: Watford 0-0 Chelsea
That should have been the milestone goal for Hazard.
Cesar Azpilicueta plays in a delightful cross to the Belgian, but the ball does not bounce as high as he expects and he makes a complete hash of it.
38 min: Watford 0-0 Chelsea
This game is starting to open up and Watford get another chance. Jorginho's mistake allows Deulofeu to make a run before feeding the ball into the path of Deeney, who sees his effort very well blocked by David Luiz.
42 min: Watford 0-0 Chelsea
Twinkle-toes Hazard is on the move again, and he gets himself into a really threatening position, but a couple of slide challenges from the Watford defence, including a last-ditch tackle from Etienne Capoue, stop the visitors in their tracks.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments