chelsea vs watford

Chelsea have won five and lost one of our last six Premier League games against Watford, six games which have seen a combined 27 goals scored (4.5 per game), with the Blues netting 16 to Watford’s 11. Watford vs Chelsea head-to-head record. Start your Independent Premium subscription today.The blues were largely dominant throughout and never looked likely to surrender the lead once the opening goal came their way.Watford only briefly threatened very late in the match and Ross Barkley ended the night with a late third for Chelsea as they moved back into fourth in the table.Here are five things we learned from the game at Stamford Bridge.After a disappointing 3-2 loss at West Ham last time out, it wasn’t a surprise to see He spoke before and after that game about the need for consistency and concentration in all types of games—and the alternations to his team here were a clear indication that he requires higher standards in his first-choice lineup.There’s a fine line to tread between managers trusting their players and letting them know that better is expected, and Chelsea’s boss looks to have got it right on this occasion.With Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech already signed up for next season, the attacking options will be vast for Lampard in future.But two players on the night showed that they have much they can still bring to the team, despite a suggestion they may be the ones to make way – for different reasons.Willian is out of contract and set to depart, unless he and the club come to an agreement over the length of a possible extension.He has been free-scoring since the restart and was brilliant against Watford, showing great link-up play, an awareness of space, clever touches and a willingness to shoot with regularity.Mason Mount has a huge future, but some suspect he may be squeezed out early on in 2020/21—but playing in a deeper midfield role he pulled the strings, worked hard and had the moment of precise ingenuity which created the opening goal thanks to a through-pass to the eventual assist provider, Ross Barkley.Three shots on target for Watford—all late on, two of which were long-range strikes from substitute left-back Adam Masina.And that comes on the back of a home defeat to Southampton where they had no shots on target at all, with an own goal their only reward.Given their precarious position, one place and one point above the relegation zone, it’s not hard to work out where the improvements need to come—and quickly.Watford have five games left to save themselves and they simply have to find the answers in how to improve their build-up play before their next game: at home, to bottom club Norwich.While Willian may depart and Mount will face a fight for game time, Christian Pulisic is doing all he can to prove he should be a guaranteed starter.The American has had an up-and-down season at times but, when fit, has had the consistency and end product which will make him difficult to leave out.Werner has often been at his best for Leipzig on the left side of a three-man attack—but that’s precisely where Pulisic has been best for Chelsea and he was again a constant menace with his pace, dribbling and willingness to shoot.He won a penalty, might have had a goal or two of his own on another night and generally terrorised the Hornets’ back line with plenty of guile, close control and aggression in his running.Chelsea’s attacking options next season will be frightening indeed.After Manchester United’s thumping win over Bournemouth earlier in the day, Chelsea were briefly outside of the Champions League spots.This win, then, was important on multiple fronts: it’s another game closer to the end of the season, it’s an indication that they have the mentality to handle pressure and, most importantly, it leaves their fate in their own hands.Finishing fifth may yet be enough to qualify, depending on Manchester City’s ban and appeal, but clubs cannot rely on that decision alone.Chelsea are back into fourth after this victory, one point behind third-place Leicester again, and the race for the guaranteed European spots remains fierce.Frank Lampard’s side secured an important win after earlier resultsMason Mount will be reminded of his responsibilities by Chelsea after breaking self-isolationChelsea's goalscorers Christian Pulisic (left) and Willian celebrate togetherIndependent Premium Comments can be posted by members of our membership scheme, Independent Premium. Chelsea eased to a 3-0 win over Watford in the Premier League on Saturday evening.

Frank Lampard’s side secured an important win after earlier resultsWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Extended highlights from our Champions League match away at Bayern Munich. It was the Frenchman who had the game’s first real chance on 19 minutes, but his low shot was kept out by an excellent block from Ben Foster. It allows our most engaged readers to debate the big issues, share their own experiences, discuss real-world solutions, and more.

Facebook; Twitter; Tags: Men, Premier League. Manchester United’s thumping of Bournemouth earlier on Saturday had seen them leapfrog the Blues, but Lampard made four changes to the side that lost at West Ham in midweek, with Marcos Alonso and Antonio Rudiger among those dropped after their roles in the defeat, while Giroud returned to lead the line. Are you sure you want to mark this comment as inappropriate? The second half was a largely drab affair, Watford seemingly disheartened by gifting the Blues a second so close to the interval and the hosts happy enough to stroke the ball around.