Watford vs Chelsea LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction tonight
Relive all the action as the Premier League leaders visited Claudio Ranieri’s side at Vicarage Road
Chelsea maintained their lead at the top of the Premier League as Hakim Ziyech came off the bench to secure a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Watford on Wednesday.
Thomas Tuchel’s side were not at their best at Vicarage Road but had enough attacking quality to emerge with three important points and stay ahead of Manchester City and Liverpool.
After a 32-minute suspension while a fan was treated for a medical emergency, Chelsea took the lead when Mason Mount coolly converted after a well-worked move in the 29th minute.
But Watford deservedly levelled before the break through Nigerian Emmanuel Dennis.
Ziyech came on for injured defender Trevoh Chalobah on the hour and struck the winner 12 minutes later with the outstanding Mount turning provider.
Chelsea lead the standings with 33 points from 14 games, with City on 32 and Liverpool on 31.
Claudio Ranieri’s side will take heart from the way they pushed the league leaders but are just one place and three points above the relegation zone.
Tuchel made six changes from the side that drew with Manchester United at the weekend and Chelsea looked disjointed for much of the evening.
Watford were the better team either side of the suspension but fell behind to Chelsea’s first move of quality.
The ball was played to Marcos Alonso down the left and he slipped the ball into Kai Havertz who shifted it across to the unmarked Mount who had time to pick his spot.
Watford responded well and equalised when Moussa Sissoko powered forward and played in Dennis whose shot took a deflection on its way past Edouard Mendy.
The hosts could have been ahead with Mendy making a fine save and Sissoko scuffing a decent opportunity.
The quality on Chelsea’s bench eventually told, however, as Ziyech came on to secure the points.
Mount was played into space down the left and his low cross was met by Ziyech whose powerful first-time shot beat Watford keeper Daniel Bachmann for pace.
Watford 0-0 Chelsea
12 mins: Another reason for the delay of play is that there appears to be a medical emergency in the crowd at Vicarage Road. Referee David Coote is calling both teams back towards the tunnel.
Watford 0-0 Chelsea
9 mins: Watford left back Masina is the latest player to go down for treatment - he looks like he’s pulled a muscle and is set to join Watford’s lengthy injury list.
Thomas Tuchel is not at all pleased with how his side have started this one. Chelsea have been very sloppy so far.
Watford 0-0 Chelsea
7 mins: Mendy then comes under pressure from King with the ball at his feet - he turns towards his goal line before uncomfortably clearing for a throw in.
Watford maintain their pressure and swing another ball into the box. Mendy comes out to claim but is caught by Azpilicueta when collecting the cross.
He limps slightly as he gets back up but he looks set to continue.
Watford 0-0 Chelsea
5 mins: Save! Watford go close again! Femenia whips in a teasing ball from the right and it causes uncertainty in the Chelsea box. It evades King before it deflects off Azpilicueta's knee, and it takes a superb diving stop from the goalkeeper to keep it out.
Watford 0-0 Chelsea
4 mins: King and Christensen compete for a high ball and the Watford forward catches the defender with an accidental stray arm. He’s down for treatment.
Watford 0-0 Chelsea
3 mins: Close! Alonso has had a shaky start to this one and Cleverly shoves him off the ball before beating him to the by-line. He cuts it back into the box and picks out Pedro, whose shot is cleared off the line by Chalobah!
Watford 0-0 Chelsea
1 min: Watford look to press Chelsea from the start and Alonso concedes possession in the corner as they looked to play out from the back. It’s a high-tempo start from the hosts.
KICK-OFF! Watford 0-0 Chelsea
The players take the knee and we’re underway!
Watford vs Chelsea
The players are out onto the pitch at Vicarage Road ahead of tonight’s London derby.
Can Chelsea stay top of the Premier League, or will Watford claim another home scalp under Ranieri to improve their survival odds?
Kick-off is next!
Watford vs Chelsea
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, speaking to Amazon Prime:
“I was happy with the performance and the game [in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United] on Sunday and two days later you’re in the next game, it’s raining, it’s cold outside, and we have to match our own standards.
“We have made some changes to keep the intensity going but hopefully we can get the performance we need to get the three points.
“There are so many games coming up and we have made some changes due to injuries and overload, but the group is strong and we trust the group. Hopefully they can prove it.”
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