What a stinker for Conte
WATFORD... 4 CHELSEA... 1
Antonio Conte suffers during Chelsea’s humiliating defeat at Vicarage Road last night
When things start to fall apart at Chelsea, they have a habit of doing so at an accelerated rate. So less than a week after a shock home loss against Bournemouth, three late Watford goals meant another humiliation against lesser opponents and assorted other concerns for Antonio Conte.
The english champions played for more than an hour with ten men after Tiemoue Bakayoko was sent off, having collected two yellow cards inside five minutes.
And while Bakayoko’s form has been so poor it might have been considered a bonus, Watford took advantage of the extra man and went ahead with a penalty converted by Troy Deeney.
Conte is desperately short of players and has injuries stacking up. Pedro joined the list, hobbling off in the second half.
Only when Olivier Giroud was thrown on for his debut and Chelsea adopted a direct and aerial approach did they finally threaten. eden hazard produced a brilliant curling equaliser out of nowhere to provide a glimmer of hope, but, almost immediately, Daryl Janmaat restored Watford’s lead with an equally impressive goal.
Charging in the penalty box, the wing-back traded passes with Roberto Pereyra and found the corner with a low shot. Gerard Deulofeu, outstanding on his home debut for Watford, added a delicious third and Pereyra rubbed salt in the wound.
Conte’s team have won only two of the last ten in all competitions and their position in the top four is in danger, which is always guaranteed to spark the interest of Roman Abramovich.
Javi Gracia, in charge of his first home game as Watford manager, received a ripple of applause from the Vicarage Road crowd.
They know better than to get too carried away with someone who is not likely to be around for long, if previous incumbents are anything to go by. The same could be said for the visitors. Away fans sung Conte’s name, but relations are straining and so is his squad.
Andreas Christensen and Ross Barkley are the latest casualties.
It meant Davide Zappacosta started on the left and brought a return for David Luiz in the centre of the back three.
Chelsea lacked their old solidity and the Brazilian was soon under pressure as Watford started at a healthy tempo and created a flurry of chances. Abdoulaye Doucoure pulled one wide from just outside the penalty area and Deulofeu skipped past Luiz and fired into the side-netting.
Richarlison forced a corner and Deeney ought to have hit the target after escaping his marker Cesar Azpilicueta. Bakayoko started in careless fashion, which has become his trademark since arriving from Monaco.
More than once, he conceded possession in his own half and was booked for a foul on Richarlison after giving him the ball once again and then throwing his body on to his legs to stop him getting away.
Within five minutes, Bakayoko had been sent off and, this time, he was unfortunate.
When he failed to win the ball in a 50-50 with Richarlison in midfield, his tackling technique made it look like a bit of a stamp, but it wasn’t and nor did he make contact. nevertheless, Watford’s Brazilian striker rolled around clutching his ankle and Mike Dean produced a red card.
It was a dreadful 30 minutes from Bakayoko, summing up a dreadful first six months in London, but to send him off was harsh and it left Conte in trouble.
In order to get Fabregas on, the Chelsea boss replaced Willian, who had been the only one of his team to summon anything like an effort at goal until that point.
Chelsea fans jeered at the decision and sang Willian’s song and things got worse for Conte.
There was a lecture by referee Dean as he contested another decision on the touchline and then the penalty before half-time.
Janmaat teased a long pass into the channel behind Gary Cahill and Deulofeu was far too quick for Thibaut Courtois, who made the decision to race out of his goal. Deulofeu was there first, touched the ball past Courtois and was wiped out by the goalkeeper’s slide.
There was no dispute and Deeney stepped forward to give Watford the lead.
Victor Moses launched a counterattack in stoppage-time at the end of the first half which culminated in Pedro firing over.
Otherwise, the Blues created very little and found it difficult after the interval. Moses and Marvin Zeegelaar clashed heads as they challenged for a Zappacosta cross and Luiz was fortunate to escape with a yellow card after kicking Zeegelaar in frustration, near the touchline.
Watford sought the second with Deulofeu and Richarlison whistling shots wide.
Chelsea improved with Giroud on, but it was Watford who finished with a blizzard of goals.
What now for Conte?