Chelsea celebrate title with 4-3 romp against Watford
Departing captain John Terry led his Chelsea champions to a rip-roaring 4-3 victory over Watford on Monday, scoring the first goal on an evening of celebration, fireworks and streamers rather than vintage football at Stamford Bridge.
Terry, who is leaving this season after 22 years with the club, hooked home a loose ball from a Willian corner in the 22nd minute. The defender has scored in 17 consecutive Premier League seasons. But the former England captain was at fault for the equaliser when barely two minutes later he back-headed a ball he should have cleared, sending it straight to Etienne Capoue for an easy headed goal.
Chelsea had won the title with a 1-0 win at West Brom Albion on Friday, so Monday’s game was more about enjoying the moment with the fans and giving those who had not figured too often in the season a chance to shine.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, hailed by the crowd with chants of “Antonio, Antonio”, made nine changes from the West Brom game, mindful also of the FA Cup final less than two weeks away. Although the makeshift side looked frail at the back, they commanded the midfield and were dangerous going forward.
Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta put Chelsea ahead again in the 36th minute and striker Michy Batshuayi, Diego Costa’s understudy, followed his goal on Friday with Chelsea’s third on Monday, four minutes into the second half.
Watford put a brief damper on fans’ celebrations with Daryl Janmaat dribbling through for Watford’s second goal and substitute Stefano Okaka equalising in the 74th. But when Cesc Fabregas put away the winner in the 88th minute, the stadium erupted once again in song for Conte, for Terry and for the title.