SUCCESS

WATFORD: almost certainly escaped him, however, when Eden Hazard ballooned a clear chance over the bar and into row Z soon after the restart.

And they definitely did when Watford deservedly went in front on 55 minutes.

There was no doubting Chelsea were found well and truly wanting when Adlene Guedioura crossed from the right.

And neither was there any doubt about the super strike Etienne Capoue unleashed when the ball landed at his feet.

Thibaut Courtois didn’t have a prayer with what was the Frenchman’s second goal in two games. Not bad considering he had managed only one in 57 before last week.

Conte had seen enough. Off came the totally ineffective Pedro, followed soon after by Oscar, to be replaced by Batshuayi – and the man from Marseille showed precisely why Chelsea paid all that money for him.

His team-mates had done very little to deserve a share of the spoils before Hazard let fly with an effort Heurelho Gomes couldn’t hold and Batshuayi was on to the rebound in a flash.

The ball was in the back of the net equally CHELSEA: quickly. A great goal, superbly taken – and the same can be said for Chelsea’s winner with just three minutes left.

Quite frankly, Costa had suffered the nearest thing to a shocker before Cesc Fabregas found him all on his own with a peach of pass.

The striker most rival fans love to hate endeared himself to the Chelsea faithful with the sort of clinical finish his former manager Jose Mourinho used to bang on about.

That was terribly cruel on Watford and Mazzarri, who had seen his side dominate for long periods only to be undone by a couple of class acts.

It also continued the domination Conte has over him, having won eight out of the previous nine clashes between the managers.

Both of them now know exactly what they say in these parts – it’s a funny old game, isn’t it?

Conte last night challenged late-goal specialist Diego Costa to start scoring earlier.

The Blues boss said: “He has scored two late goals this week but I would prefer he scores before the end.

“He is working very hard and is an important CHELSEA’S NEXT GAME: REF: player to us but he can improve. He has to concentrate a little more. I can see positive and negative things about him but I think he and Michy Batshuayi can play very well together.”

The Italian also praised Fabregas after surprisingly leaving him on the bench.

He said: “We all know Cesc and his technical ability and I brought him on because I wanted more quality. I am pleased for him and that he showed he deserved to play.

“I want all the players to show they deserve to start the game. It is important they think of the team and not just themselves.

“When you don’t start the game you are not happy, but the manager has to pick the team and we have a good family and a good team.”

Hornets boss Walter Mazzarri said: “We were unlucky but we have grown as a team.

“The players got slightly tired, particularly the ones who had been in European competitions and there were mistakes we must try not to repeat. “But we were much better than we were at Southampton last week and we can hold our heads high.”