Chelsea’s César Azpilicueta makes Watford pay for misses in thriller

“That’s why we’re champions,” crowed the Matthew Harding Stand after César Azpilicueta, awkwardly but decisively, nudged in the goal that in effect settled a breathless affair. In truth Chelsea had also showed plenty of reasons why a repeat of last season’s feat looks a long shot but that analysis will come later: this was, ultimately, a triumph of guts and class on an afternoon when Marco Silva’s fine Watford side had threatened to overrun them. The visitors had overturned Pedro’s opener to lead 2-1 and missed chances to exacerbate a troubled October for Antonio Conte; that they were overcome owed plenty to two goals from the substitute Michy Batshuayi and a reserve of quality that has not always come to the fore in recent months.Given Chelsea’s recent toils, they would hardly have felt placed to choose between a stroke of luck or piece of early brilliance. Pedro’s goal turned out to be the direct result of both. Chelsea should not have been awarded a corner when Eden Hazard, in reasonable proximity to the assistant referee, got his feet in a muddle near the corner flag and ran the ball out of play, but they took advantage spectacularly. Hazard was far brighter in working the set piece to Pedro who, running around the ball five yards beyond the penalty area, whipped a sumptuous shot beyond Heurelho Gomes and off the far post. The goalkeeper, beaten by the pace and right-to-left curl on the shot, could not even offer a dive. Continue reading…
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