Player Ratings: Chelsea 4-2 Watford
Chelsea:
Courtois 6.5 – unable to do anything about either goal. Otherwise consistent.
Rüdiger 5 – wandered a worrying tightrope following a 23’ yellow card.
Luiz 5 – a clumsy display characterised by a clash with Cahill that rendered both walking wounded.
Cahill 5 – sloppy at times in an uncharacteristically poor display from Chelsea’s back three.
Azpilicueta 7.5 – scored the invaluable third to push Chelsea towards the win.
Fàbregas 6.5 – often positive in possession and tested Gomes on occasions. Struggled with Watford’s legs in midfield.
Bakayoko 6 – combative against Cleverley and Doucouré.
Alonso 5 – a largely anonymous display from the wing-back.
Pedro 8.5 – scored an exquisite opener from 25-yards and set up Batshuayi’s first with a pinpoint cross. A constant threat.
Hazard 6 – struggled to exert any influence on the game.
Morata 6 – endured a physical return to action for an hour without influencing the game.
Subs:
Batshuayi (61’ for Morata) 8 – scored the equaliser with a looping header and found further reward for a persistent half hour with a late goal to secure the three points. Much improved from his display at Crystal Palace last week.
Willian (68’ for Alonso) 7 – a constant thorn in Watford’s defence following his introduction. Key in pinning the Hornets back.
Zappacosta (86’ for Pedro) NA
Manager:
Conte 7.5 – showed resilience under pressure and ultimately won the game with his substitutions.
Watford:
Gomes 6 – solid in the first half but had hearts in mouths when misjudging a longball under pressure from Willian.
Mariappa 5 – struggled with Chelsea’s improved movement in the last half hour.
Kabasele 6 – lead by example in the first half. Part of the crumble in the second.
Britos 6 – see Mariappa.
Femenía 5 – kept Alonso quiet whilst being relatively quiet himself.
Cleverley 6.5 – continues to be solid cog of Marco Silva’s system.
Doucouré 7.5 – smashed home a vicious equaliser and had the better of Chelsea’s midfield for much of the first half.
Holebas 6 – better going forward than coming back.
Pereyra 7.5 – scored a superbly taken second and often found space in the final third.
Richarlison 8 – showed immense composure to find Pereyra for the second but also missed two guilt-edged chances. Increasingly entertaining.
Deeney 6 – disruptive but failed to kick on from his performance against Arsenal last week.
Subs:
Carrillo (65’ for Pereyra) 6 – struggled to add any thrust Watford’s attack.
Watson (80’ for Deeney) NA
Gray (90’ for Mariappa) NA
Manager:
Silva 7.5 – posed his opposite number multiple questions with lesser resources.
Kieran Hepworth