Chelsea leapfrog Spurs to go third with Watford win
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ByEurosport
Updated 05/05/2019 at 21:26 GMT
Premier League, Stamford Bridge – Chelsea 3 (Loftus-Cheek 49, Luiz 51, Higuain 75) Watford 0
Gonzalo Higuain of Chelsea celebrates as as he scores his team's third goal with Pedro and Cesar Azpilicueta during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Watford FC at Stamford Bridge on May 05, 2019 in London, United Kingdom.
Image credit: Getty Images
Chelsea scored three goals in the second-half to beat Watford at Stamford Bridge.
Strikes from Ruben Loftus-Cheek, David Luiz and Gonzalo Higuain gave Chelsea a crucial win as the Blues confirmed their return to Champions League football.
The three-goal margin of victory may have flattered Maurizio Sarri’s side but the Italian will care little with the Blues now four points clear of Arsenal in fifth after = the Gunners drew 1-1 with Brighton in the late game.
Watford swarmed all over The Blues in a one-sided first-half but couldn't find the opening goal. Gerard Deulofeu and Jose Holebas blasted over from dangerous areas and when the Hornets finally found their range Kepa Arrizabalaga pulled off a save of the season contender to thwart Troy Deeney.
The hosts emerged for the second-half as a different side and within six minutes of the restart they were almost out of sight.
Loftus-Cheek - a replacement for Kante who was injured with barely a quarter-of-an-hour on the clock - headed in from Eden Hazard's back-post cross following a short corner routine. And three minutes later Watford were punished for switching off again from a corner, as Luiz was left unmarked to convert another Hazard delivery.
In a ruthless display, Higuain then put the gloss on an excellent 45-minute salvo with a lovely dink over Ben Foster after being released by a beautiful through-ball from Pedro.
The victory moves Chelsea up into third, leapfrogging Spurs, and their Champions League qualification will be ensured if Unai Emery's side fail to beat the Seagulls. Meanwhile, Watford remain 10th.
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Gary Cahill of Chelsea and family walk on the pitch after the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Watford FC at Stamford Bridge on May 05, 2019 in London, United Kingdom
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TALKING POINT
What is it with Chelsea under Sarri that they can't perform for 90 minutes? On Thursday night they were dreadful in the first-half in Frankfurt and it was a similar story today at home where they were booed off at the interval for a pathetic display. Credit where it's due, The Blues were excellent after the restart but it begs the question: why haven't they played like this on a more consistent basis throughout the season?
It's crunch time now for Sarri; the next three weeks will ultimately decide his future at the club. If he can end what has been a mediocre season at Stamford Bridge - by Chelsea's standards - on a high by clinching a top-four spot as well as delivering a European trophy, his job ought to be secure.
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Ruben Loftus-Cheek of Chelsea FC looks on during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Watford FC at Stamford Bridge on May 5, 2019 in London, United Kingdom
Image credit: Getty Images
MAN OF THE MATCH
Eden Hazard (Chelsea): It would be a real shame for The Blues - and the Premier League - if this proves to be his final league game at Stamford Bridge. He produced yet another excellent and inspiring performance, registering two assists and terrorising the visiting defence.
PLAYER RATINGS
Chelsea: Kepa 7, Azpilicueta 6, Luiz 6, Christensen 6, Alonso 6, Kante n/a, Jorginh 7, Kovacic 6, Hazard 8, Higuain 7, Pedro 7. Subs: Giroud n/a, Loftus-Cheek 7, Cahill n/a.
Watford: Foster 7, Femenia 5, Mariappa 5, Cathcart 5, Holebas 6, Doucoure 6, Hughes 6, Chalobah 5, Pereyra 7, Deulofeu 6, Deeney. Subs: Gray n/a, Success n/a, Cleverley 5.
Watford: Foster 7, Femenia 5, Mariappa 5, Cathcart 5, Holebas 6, Doucoure 6, Hughes 6, Chalobah 5, Pereyra 7, Deulofeu 6, Deeney. Subs: Gray n/a, Success n/a, Cleverley 5.
KEY MOMENTS
8' - TOP CLASS SAVE! Deeney thinks he has scored! His bullet header is destined for the top corner but Kepa scurries across his goal to make an unorthodox save with his left hand!
48' - GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Watford: Loftus-Cheek scores as The Blues make a flying start to the second-half! Hazard wins a corner which they take short and the Belgian delivers a fine cross to the back post where Loftus-Cheek converts a cushion header!
51' - GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Watford: Two goals in three minutes for Sarri's men and suddenly they have one foot in the Champions League next season! Watford switch off from another corner and the unmarked Luiz heads it home from six yards.
75' - GOAL! Chelsea 3-0 Watford: Higuain seals the points for The Blues - what a turnaround this has been in the second-half! Pedro picks the veteran forward out with a lovely through-ball on the right and it's a really clever finish as he lifts it over the advancing Foster.
KEY STATS
- Eden Hazard has now assisted 15 league goals this season - more than any other player in the big five European leagues in 2018-19.
- Watford have only taken point from their last six visits to Stamford Bridge.
- Chelsea haven't lost their final home league game of a season since a 3-1 defeat by Aston Villa in 2001/02.
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