HAZARD’S GOALS FOR CHELSEA
camouflage a glaring truth that Sarri is presiding over one of English football’s great paradoxes.
Chelsea were the first team to spray graffiti all over Manchester City’s audition as Invincibles, and yet they tiptoed into Vicarage Road nursing three defeats in their last six Premier League games.
The Blues’ home defeat by Leicester was anaemic enough for the jingle bells in SW6 to be infiltrated by alarm bells, but they made a confident enough start on the road to redemption.
Pedro had already cut in from the right flank and smuggled his left-foot shot just wide when Willian skipped round keeper Ben Foster and directed his finish against the foot of a post from a tight angle.
And it was a major surprise when Hazard missed his kick at the near post from four yards out when Cesar Azpilicueta’s low cross was crying out for a decisive touch.
But the warning signs were there, and for all their territorial supremacy, the Blues’ steady beat was not without its palpitations.
Kepa Arrizabalaga was lucky to get away with a slapdash clearance, Abdoulaye Doucoure’s marauding run deserved a better finish, and Troy Deeney was denied by David Luiz’s desperate, last-ditch tackle.
The game sprang to life with goals at each end in first-half stoppage time. Mateo Kovacic released Hazard to dart clear and beat Foster to become the 10th Chelsea player to score a century of goals, and that should have deflated Watford beyond repair.
But Roberto Pereyra, who never serves Prosecco against Chelsea when vintage champagne is available, did it again from the last kick of the half.
Jose Holebas orchestrated a short corner routine and Pereyra (right), unmarked 20 yards out, volleyed exquisitely into the bottom corner.
Pereyra has virtually privatised the Hornets’ goal of the season competition, and here was a worthy sequel to his rocket – from the same source – on the opening day of the season against Brighton.
Chelsea were rocking as Watford swarmed forward after the break, and Luiz (left) was lucky not to concede a penalty for leaning on Gerard Deulofeu like the bar at his local.
But the pressure was released after 58 minutes by Jorginho’s scoop over the top, and when Foster clattered into Hazard at the expense of a penalty, the Belgian got up to win the game from the spot. Referee ................... Attendance ............................ EDEN HAZARD 101