Conte rules himself out of sack race
JOSE MOURINHO was the Special One, Luiz Felipe Scolari the Brazilian One, Carlo Ancelotti the Italian One, Andre Villas-Boas the Young One.
But they were all one thing under Roman Abramovich at one point in their careers: The Sacked One. But Antonio Conte believes he is the Different One.
The Italian was under major pressure going into this game. Two straight defeats in the Premier League prompting thoughts that Chelsea’s title defence had already gone west. There were rumours of player unrest, of fall-outs with the board, of a manager unhappy with transfer dealings, with a squad that is too thin.
But Conte silenced those whispers with this much-needed win.
Other Chelsea teams under other managers in recent years have crumbled at 2-1 down after 70 minutes against a strong, well-organised team. But like Conte believes, he may indeed be exceptional.
“I’m not like previous managers,” he said. “I’m different. The club has to judge my work. I don’t have the worry that if I lose a game, the club will decide to sack me.
“In the past, the club decided after two or three losses or bad games to sack the manager. But I don’t think it is the same for every manager. Do I feel this type of pressure? I feel zero pressure about that.
“I feel the pressure to give satisfaction to my players, to my fans and to the club. I ask a lot of myself.
“That is the type of pressure I feel.”
There was no doubt though that, at 2-1 down with 20 minutes left, things were looking rocky.
Chelsea had started well, Pedro firing in from long range, but
CHELSEA WATFORD
then Cesc Fabregas missed an open goal and Watford simply took over.
Abdoulaye Doucoure cracked in the equaliser with the outside of his boot.
Richarlison missed a sitter from six yards but his pass later found Roberto Pereyra and he scored from eight yards.
It should have been three but Richarlison then headed wide from point-blank range. Then he flicked wide at the near post.
Watford should have been out of sight. They were not and Conte acted. He brought on Willian and Michy Batshuayi and changed his team’s shape.
Batshuayi glanced in a lovely header out of nowhere for the equaliser. Watford still had chances – Christian Kabasele twice missing when he should have scored – but Batshuayi was worrying them.
Then Willian crossed, Watford hesitated, and Cesar Azpilicueta snuck in to put Chelsea ahead.
In injury time, Batshuayi added his second and Watford manager Marco Silva could hardly believe it, saying: “We did 90 per cent to win the match but we need to score in those moments.”
CHELSEA (3-4-3):