Good morning and welcome to Eurosport's LIVE text commentary of Chelsea versus Watford in the Premier League. After three defeats in their opening eight games, the Blues ought to get back to winning ways, but it won't be easy. Today they face an in-form Watford side currently in fourth place and on a high after beating Arsenal last weekend.

Premier League / Matchday 9

Stamford Bridge / 21.10.2017

Chelsea

Completed

Watford

Pedro(11')
M. Batshuayi(71', 90+5')
C. Azpilicueta(87')

A. Doucouré(45+3')
R. Pereyra(49')

Live

Live Updates

ByMarcus Foley

Updated 21/10/2017 at 13:28 GMT

14'

Jose Holebas is booked for arguing with the referee about the decision to award a corner.

Yellow card

J. Holebas

Watford

Yellow Cards1

Fouls1

Corners1

13'

The relief around Stamford Bridge is palpable! That is exactly what the Blues needed.

12'

GOAL! A stunner from Pedro gives Chelsea the lead!

Watford are caught sleeping as Chelsea work another short corner. Hazard plays the ball to Pedro who is unmarked to have a shot from 25 yards, and he makes no mistakes, hammering his first-time effort in off the crossbar giving Gomes no chance.

Goal

Pedro

Chelsea

Goals1

On target1

Image credit: Getty Images

Chelsea play the set-piece short. The ball is eventually delivered into the box, but the cross evades everyone in the penalty area and Gomes can make a straight forward save.

A lovely parallel pass from Fabregas for Azpilicueta causes Watford all kinds of problems, and they are forced to concede a corner.

Chelsea work the ball forward patiently, with Azpilicueta fed on the wing. However, the full-back sends his cross straight into the arms of Heurelho Gomes.

David Luis played in a midfield role and scored in Chelsea's 3-3 draw with Roma on Wednesday night, but the Brazilian is back in Chelsea's defence today.

Tom Cleverley is the man to deliver the set piece, but Chelsea deal with the danger quite comfortably.

Watford have started the game confidently and force their first corner of the game after good work from Roberto Pereyra on the right channel.

Cesar Azpilicueta swings a cross to the near post with Morata the target. The Spaniard is challenged but was in an offside position anyway. Chelsea will be relieved to have their talisman back in action this afternoon after he missed out in the 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend.

Watford are playing in their red away strip this afternoon.

1st Half

The hosts get the game underway. A big 90 minutes for Chelsea and their manager.

12:25

The teams make their way out onto the pitch indicating that kick-off is only moments away!

CONCERNING

12:20

Trailing league leaders Manchester City by nine points already, there simply cannot be any more slip-ups by Conte and his Chelsea side. This is a massive game for the Blues, potentially even season defining.

12:15

STAT

Chelsea have dropped eight points at home so far this season; two more than in the whole of 2016-17.

12:10

Watford are unbeaten on their travels this season and can, quite incredibly, move five points clear of Chelsea with a victory this afternoon.

"Obviously it's great to look at the table and see what position we are in at the moment. It's too early now, it's not important," said head coach Marco Silva.

"Everybody knows what our goal is and I haven't changed my words since my first day [here]. We take everything game by game."

Image credit: PA Sport

12:05

Antonio Conte guided the Blues to the title last season, but things have not been straight forward this campaign and the Italian hasn't tasted victory since the success at Stoke last month. Speaking before the game, the Chelsea manager admits his side must improve.

"We are in October. We have just started our season. We have to think about improving the present. Now we have to try and stay and face all the competitions with all our strength.

"The most important thing is to put ourselves in our work during the game and every day. We can’t find excuses. I don’t like to speak about other teams. It’s very important to look at ourselves.

"We have to try to do our best. That’s the most important thing. We must be focused on ourselves to try to improve and to try to have a good season.stay here to work and to put all myself for this club, for the players, me and my staff."

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