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Guus Hiddink’s second coming seemed unlikely to be as straightforward as his first spell in charge at Stamford Bridge, and yesterday’s events confirmed it. While it is true that had Oscar not slipped and skied a penalty or Nemanja Matic not given away a ridiculous one earlier, Chelsea would have won, much of the team’s frailty that undermined Jose Mourinho was still in evidence.
For all the excellence of Willian and the more coherently directed aggression of Diego Costa, the defence not only proved unable to hold a lead but fell behind themselves by conceding twice in the space of little more than quarter of an hour on either side of half-time. Even after Costa’s second goal brought them level again, the striker was lured into his one indiscretion, collecting a yellow card that will rule him out of tomorrow’s trip to Manchester United – where there will be a chance to prove which of the mighty have fallen furthest. For all United’s woes, the Premier League table this morning, showing Chelsea stuck in 15th place, suggests an answer.
“It’s a pity but it’s not in my nature to complain and we have to be able to solve that,” Hiddink said of his main striker’s suspension. “He focused himself on what he’s good at, not wasting energy when you shouldn’t. We conceded some unlucky goals but what was important was the reaction after 1-2 and the reaction was good.”
Costa’s contribution helped restore relations with the crowd, who were much more supportive than against Sunderland last week, declining either to boo any individuals or even chant Mourinho’s name.
The new-old manager made a big call at half-time, replacing Cesc Fabregas with John Obi Mikel because he felt the midfield was awry. “When we have a midfield with all creative players, it’s beautiful but we have to look for balance.”
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All of this inevitably overshadowed another praiseworthy performance by Watford in this remarkable first season under Quique Sanchez Flores, who once played under Hiddink at Valencia.
No prizes were available for guessing their scorers, of course; when Odion Ighalo added to Troy Deeney’s penalty it was the 19th of Watford’s 23 goals the pair have scored between them this season. It is time for a statistical wizard somewhere to work out whether any pair have ever had a higher percentage.
Diego Costa celebrates after scoring the opener (Getty Images)
Deeney worked hard, without ever quite dropping as deep as normal, preferring to push right up alongside his partner to keep John Terry and Gary Cahill, a pair of centre backs who looked almost unbeatable a year ago, occupied. Sanchez Flores praised his two strikers’ defensive work as well, after expressing delight with a result that signifies another step forward after beating Liverpool.
“I’m satisfied with a point and happy with the performance against a tough team that was really motivated under a new manager. Every time, it’s difficult to play against Chelsea.” Some teams have found it less so this season.
Troy Deeney equalised from the spot after a Nemanja Matic handball (Getty Images)
With Watford’s regular left-back, the Chelsea loanee Nathan Ake, ineligible to play, the home side appeared determined to target his replacement, Jose Holebas, attacking constantly down that flank. Branislav Ivanovic, one of three players on the staff in Hiddink’s first spell in 2009 - Terry and Mikel, both involved here, were the others – took full advantage and the strategy brought a series of assaults from the right, one of which led to the opening goal.
Willian swung over a corner, Terry headed down off Cahill’s back and Costa swivelled to volley in his first goal for a month. By half-time, however, Matic had incomprehensibly handled Ben Watson’s corner and Deeney rolled in the inevitable penalty kick.
Odion Ighalo continued his good form, though his shot deflected off Gary Cahill
The lack of confidence in a team that has not been winning was apparent as Thibaut Courtois had to save low down from Etienne Capoue and was then beaten by a slight deflection off Cahill from Ighalo’s drive.
When the irrepressible Willian put Costa in with a hint of offside to equalise, however, there were 25 minutes to secure a morale-boosting victory and Oscar had a glorious opportunity to take it after one substitute, Valon Behrami, crashed into another, Eden Hazard. But the Brazilian slipped as he kicked and shot high over the bar.
Costa scored his second to level for the Blues (Getty Images)
“He shouldn’t have put on slicks, he should have had normal tyres,” Hiddink joked. That sense of humour may be tested a few times before the end of the season.
Oscar had the chance to win the game but slipped from the penalty spot (Getty Images)
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