There was outrage from the Watford fans when Costa clashed with Sebastian Prodl, pushing the defender to the ground but no action was taken by referee Mike Dean after he stopped play to speak to the Chelsea striker. It was not the last time he had to do so. Watford’s sense of injustice rose when Prodl was cautioned for a challenge on Oscar and the competitive edge of the encounter was sharpened further.
Match possession
Watford at home had been Hiddink’s first match in charge of Chelsea in this his second spell, a nervy 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge, but the team are far more robust; far more confident than they were for that Boxing Day fixture although there was an escape when Watson’s free-kick ricocheted off the defensive wall and span away from Capoue.
Chelsea attacking stats
Watford continued to push and, finally, a clear chance was created with Jose Holebas running down the left and delivering a cross that dropped between Terry, who missed the flight, and Kurt Zouma - and there was Ighalo. Surely he would score? But the header was mis-timed, maybe Terry’s jump had put him off, and the opportunity went. Soon after Ighalo skipped past Terry, who was struggling to contain him, and a corner was won. From it Prodl’s header was powerful but was held by Thibaut Courtois.
Watford were in the ascendancy, applying the pressure with Jose Manuel Jurado working his way skillfully across the face of the penalty area to tee up Capoue whose powerful drive was beaten out by Courtois.
Chelsea were reeling but then Oscar’s long ball forward caught out the Watford defence with Costa running clear to twist and turn and sent a fierce low cross-shot that deflected off the recovering Craig Cathcart to fly narrowly wide. Oscar’s powerful goal-bond shot struck Prodl as Chelsea continued to fight back with Capoue then pressurized into losing the ball only for Cesar Azpilicueta to slice his effort across goal.
That fightback almost spilled over. Costa was involved in another clash – this time with Juan Carlos Paredes. The forward hit the turf, claiming a foul and then ran into Parades who hit the ground himself claiming he had been struck in the face when Costa’s arm had only pushed him in the back of the head.
Costa was cautioned – after being calmed down by both Hiddink and Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores.
The action resumed, into the second-half, and Gomes had to react alertly to tip over a shot from John Obi Mikel that looped up off Cathcart and threatened to dip underneath the cross-bar.
But Watford were not cowed. They struck back with the ball only cleared by Chelsea to the edge of their own area where it fell to Deeney whose controlled volley ran just past the post. Holebas linked with Capoue, who played the defender in from the left, but he shot into the side-netting when he should have done better.
It felt like a goal was coming, such was the intensity and commitment, and Costa exploited a missed offside decision to run in behind the Watford defence, cut in close to goal and pull the ball back for the onrushing Oscar who side-footed wide. Just wide.
“Attack, attack, attack,” chanted the Chelsea fans and, in fairness, their team had tried to do that and Oscar forced a fine parry from Gomes as he ran inside and fired a powerful right-foot shot that was pushed out by the goalkeeper.
Hiddink decided to go for it withdrawing Nemanja Matic and introducing Eden Hazard, who had surprisingly started on the bench, with the manager sensing he had to push for victory to build on Chelsea’s momentum.
Hazard was quickly involved as his run was picked out by Willian with the Belgian then finding Branislav Ivanovic whos close-range shot was superbly turned around the post by Gomes. The goalkeeper then reacted to sprint from goal and claim the ball after another Chelsea break almost sent Hazard in.
- Telegraph