A Chelsea squad that cost 680m to assemble was held to a 0-0 draw by Fulham in a west London derby in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Friday night. Get involved in exciting, inspiring conversations with other readers. The one player who matched Watford's intensity, popping up to thump home the opener. Be the first one to comment on this story. Lacked the quality to break Fulham's excellent shape. GOOD (7.0-7.9): Mount (7.9), Mendy (7.3), Silva (7.3, sub), Ziyech (7.3, sub), Havertz (7.1), AVERAGE (6.0-6.9): Chalobah (6.8), Rdiger (6.6), Christensen (6.5), Pulisic (6.0), Lukaku (6.0, sub), POOR (5.0-5.9): Alonso (5.9), Azpilicueta (5.7), Loftus-Cheek (5.5), 1. Looked confident and went fairly close with a low shot. Chelseas fine wine. Made an important clearance early on to stop Joao Pedros goal-bound effort and looked comfortable in the first half as part of a back three and was then moved into midfield. Just to highlight the error of their ways, Mendy yet again saved out bacon with a couple excellent stops and interventions. The experienced Brazilian came on at half-time to help shore up the Chelsea defense and provide much-needed solidity. Chelsea 1-1 Man Utd - NBC - FULL MATCH REPLAY - Recap/Highlights - Player ratings Sunday 23 October Aston Villa 4-0 Brentford - FULL MATCH REPLAY - Recap/Highlights The gameplan from a defensive perspective was perfect. akim Ziyech scored late to earn Chelsea a 2-1 win at Watford on Wednesday night. Also delivered a number of dangerous crosses and was solid in defence as he looked to show boss Thomas Tuchel he can fill the gap Ben Chilwell has left. Led by example as usual after he took the captains armband in the second half. Man of the match: Mason Mount. I am very satisfied and proud of my players. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We tried to give easy messages, because it was obvious we struggled. AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, (select parishes), MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, CA-ONT only.Eligibility restrictions apply. Chelsea. You can easily tell that teams with more quality and experienced forwards than Watfordwith all due respectwill have more and more good times against the Spaniard in future. Tottenham claimed their first Premier League win against Chelsea for the first time since November 2018 with a 2-0 victory on Sunday. "We played very, very well. Watford continued where they left off, but almost went behind against the run of play as Mason Mount thumped the outside of the post. The most painful thing about the German ace in this match was that there was no trademark long-range effort, at least as a parting gift from him. LM: Mykhailo Mudryk - 4/10 - Looked sharp and as through he was making good runs, but things never quite happened for him. In other news, the Roman Abramovich era is slowly nearing its end as Todd Boehly was there to witness the win. The Hornets scored an 80th minute penalty before putting pressure on Frank Lampards side in the final 10 minutes, which include Kepa making a smart save to deny Ben Foster with the last moment of action in the game. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. The game was halted for a total of 30 minutes, and Watford later confirmed a fan had been stabilised having suffered a cardiac arrest. The team was not playing the way Thomas Tuchel wanted it to play, so the manager ringed in changes from the second half, taking off Saul Niguez for Thiago Silva. Play for free, entries by 3pm. ST: Aleksandar Mitrovic - 6/10 - Made himself a physical threat. Mason Mount then spurned a free header, sending the ball bouncing wide at the back post. Diogo Dalot - 6 Two lovely through balls for Havertz but the German couldn't capitalise.ST: Kai Havertz - 7/10 - Started brightly and couldn't miss from Kenedy's cross. Brilliant tackle and assist for the leveller.Tom Cleverley (CM) - 6/10 - Less influential than his central colleagues, but did the dirty work reasonably well. The Moroccan should have had a second shortly afterwards, but he headed straight at Daniel Bachmann after Havertz delivered a fine cross. If that should happen, it may be the best decision for both parties involved, with the club captain again having a couple of sloppy and nervy half moments that are slowly but surely creeping into his game on a more regular basis. Marco Silva - 8/10 - Trusted his starters on the whole but made chances to freshen things up at the right times. RM: Bobby Decordova-Reid - 7/10 - Extremely hardworking on the right. Something went wrong. Good movement up front and then provided the cross for Ziyechs goal. Chelsea made no less than six changes from the 1-1 draw against Man Utd; Azpilicueta and Christensen were in for Silva and the injured James in defence, while Jorginho dropped out in central midfield for Niguez. Watford made just one change from the side that lost 4-2 at Leicester as Joao Pedro came in for Cucho Hernandez. Hakim Ziyechs perfect through ball split the Fulham defence, but as Havertz tried to lift the ball over the onrushing Leno, it dropped onto the post and out rather than into the net. Was the most energetic Chelsea player and got his deserved goal before the half-hour mark, picking out the bottom corner after Havertz squared him the ball. This game also saw him overtake Peter Schmeichel to become the goalkeeper with the most clean sheets (181) in Manchester United history. Mason Mount's game by numbers vs. Watford. The Bluesonce againthrew away a lead late against an opponent that rarely threatened, but a header at the death from Ross Barkley meant that the home team took all three points. And Mount certainly made a big difference in this one his first start in a couple weeks in whats been a bit of a stop-start first few months of the season directly involved in both goals, scoring one and setting up the other. However, Barkley gave Chelsea the edge with one of his own in stoppage time. Heres a look at how each Chelsea player fared in a lucky win against Watford: Edouard Mendy was one of the very few Chelsea players who had a good game. With about 13 minutes played, a medical emergency in the crowd forced a 30-minute stoppage during which both teams went off the pitch. The visitors continued to frustrate their wealthy hosts as the minutes ticked by, with substitutions from both sides ultimately killing off the rhythm of the game and even a threatened late Chelsea surge petering out into not much of anything. Chelsea clashed heads with Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium earlier today as they hoped to earn a win on their travels. Player ratings from Chelsea's FA Cup fifth round victory over Arsenal at Kingsmeadow. Given an hour. This gave Patrick Bamford more space to operate, with Brenden Aaronson playing as a slightly deeper second striker. The Danes position shifted more towards the right flank when Tuchel changed his tactics in the second half, but he was comfortable. After getting the early goal, it was definitely a thing of surprise as to how Thomas Tuchels side had not extended its lead bearing in mind that it had all the advantages, even letting the visitors have a decent spell of their own in the first 45 minutes. CB: Tim Ream (c) - 8/10 - Superb block on the line from Fofana towards the end. Brilliant turn and low cross after half-time, but no-one in the middle. Had Mudryk first, and and later Madueke and Sterling in his pocket. After a few more tactical tweaks, the Blues finally took the lead in the 72 as Hakim Ziyech slotted in Mason Mounts cross. 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. Further top saves from Rose and Kucka.Trevoh Chalobah (CB) - 6/10 - Superb early block to keep out Pedro's low goal-bound effort. Thankfully the man was stabilised after half an hour and was taken to hospital before play resumed following a five-minute warm-up. Read our, {{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}. Squeezed the ball through Rudiger and into the corner to equalise.Josh King (ST) - 5/10 - Peripheral compared to some of his teammates.Joao Pedro (LW) - 6/10 - So close to opening the scoring in the opening exchanges, but denied by Chalobah's block. Totally off the pace and substituted at half-time after being given the runaround. After Edo Kayembe had dragged his effort wide, defender Kiko Femenia controlled at the back post and stung the keeper's fingertips. The Hornets began the day in seventh spot, 11 points behind yesterday's hosts, but Bilic says his side's focus is firmly on the play-off picture. GK: Bernd Leno - 6/10 - Didn't have a lot of saves to make and got away with recklessly rushing out of his goal when Fofana was running through. Didn't return for the second half. Joao Pedro played a neat one-two in the box before carrying the ball across the area and getting a shot away, but Mendy produced a fine stop to divert it wide. TREVOH CHALOBAH (8.7), EXCELLENT (8.0-8.9): Silva (8.8), Chalobah (8.7), Hudson-Odoi (8.4), Jorginho (8.2), Rdiger (8.1), Ziyech (8.0), GOOD (7.0-7.9): Loftus-Cheek (7.8, sub), Mendy (7.7), Werner (7.6, sub), Chilwell (7.5), Kant (7.3), Pulisic (7.0), AVERAGE (6.0-6.9): Azpilicueta (6.8, sub), Mount (6.5, sub), Sal (6.4, sub). CHELSEA kept their lead at the top of the Premier League table with a 2-1 win at Watford. Eduard Mendy - 7 had some nice saves to help the team. Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie screened the defenders in midfield. We did not cope well with the first balls, the pressure, the second balls. Mount did extremely well to reach the byline, before cutting it back for substitute Hakim Ziyech to fire into the roof of the net. Juraj Kucka stung Mendy's fingertips with a long-range free kick in stoppage time, but that was as good as it got. Apply Now. Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel: "It was very sloppy, but it was very unusual from us. Got a hand to the winner. But Watford recovered quickly and continued to trouble Chelsea, levelling through the bright Dennis for his sixth goal in the Nigerian's debut Premier League season. The Blues made a solid start to the game and managed to get to the half . As was to be expected it was Chelsea who had the lions share of possession and looked to probe from the off. Ten Hag: Too soon to decide Weghorst, Sabitzer futures. Ziyech nearly scored another late on, seeing his fierce header from Havertz's cross stopped by Bachmann, and Chelsea finally found some form of solidity at the back to keep Watford at bay for the remaining minutes. The Watford boss watched his side suffer only a second defeat in nine when Oli McBurnie's header was turned into his own goal by defender Ryan Porteous. 2018 West London Media Ltd. All rights reserved. The former Bayer Leverkusen star would go on to miss several chances before the halftime whistle brought the first period to a close. After a bad result last week against Manchester United, the Blues would have wanted to bounce back but had a bad start as the Hornets dominated them from the get-go. Watford FC 1 - 2 Chelsea FC 22:44 , Marc Mayo Recap what could prove a vital win for Chelsea with our match report. Mount started in an entirely fresh front line alongside Havertz and Pulisic, with Ziyech, Werner and Hudson-Odoi all dropping to the bench. Analyses; Great Goals Project; Job Security; Season Reviews; MATCHES . Didnt catch the eye early on as he led the line, but was as composed as ever when cutting the ball back for Mounts opener. Please logout and login again. CB: Benoit Badiashile - 7/10 - Had a decent game given the threat of Mitrovic. Chelsea ended their Premier League season by sealing a 2-1 win over Watford late at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon. GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga - 6/10 - The busier of the two goalkeepers with a few decent stops. MX23RW : Saturday, February 25 02:20:46| >> :300:86500:86500: . Having led the Premier League in the early months of the season, the Blues fell away dramatically due to a combination of poor form, injuries and Covid-19 cases. Gambling problem? Solid as ever but almost made a huge mistake with a loose back pass.CB: Thiago Silva - 7/10 - Watchful as ever at the back. Football's Writer Program can give you the edge you need to get ahead. CM: Joao Palhinha - 8/10 - Made it difficult for Chelsea to play through the middle. As play resumed after a five-minute warm-up, Chelsea finally settled and struck the post through Mount at an acute angle, before Watford were left to rue not making more of their early dominance as the visitors carved them open. Watford have lost five of their seven Premier League games under Claudio Ranieri (W2), conceding 16 goals in total - an average of 2.3 per game. THIAGO SILVA (8.8)3. We must continue in this way. Emmanuel Dennis (RW) - 8/10 - Bang in form. ANTONIO RDIGER (7.1)3. Watford (33) 15 Goals 40 (75) (26) 16 Assists 22 (52) (6.5) 6.5 Average Ratings 6.9 (6.9) 28.9 Average Age 28.3 182.7 Average Height (cm) 186.3 (0.7) 0.7 Shots pg 1.2 (1.2) (49%) 49%. Watford substitute Dan Gosling popped up at the back post to head in an unlikely equaliser in the 87th minute, but the Hornets' joy was short-lived as Barkley stooped to do the same at the other end and win the match for Chelsea in stoppage time. From Stamford Bridge - Chelsea wrapped up their Premier League season with a 2-1 victory over Watford on Sunday, despite some late drama at Stamford Bridge. But the Cottagers won the tactical battle and have risen to the dizzying heights of sixth in the table as a reward for their efforts. James And Koulibaly Get 6.5 | Chelsea Players Rated In Poor Loss Vs Tottenham Hotspur. That Mendy didnt even make the final shortlist for the latter is a travesty. Chelsea player ratings (4-2-3-1) GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga - 6/10 - The busier of the two goalkeepers with a few decent stops. It was not pretty from Chelsea - and they didn't escape unscathed as Chalobah was brought off with a worrying-looking injury - but if Sunday's draw against Man Utd was a case of two points dropped, this was a case of two fortuitously gained. Kai Havertz converted one of the two glorious opportunities that came his way inside 11 minutes. Want your voice heard? Lewis Hamilton's race against time: Is eighth title dream still alive? RB: Reece James - 6/10 - Feeling his way back in after a lengthy layoff. Mason Mount 8 Another very impressive performance from the young playmaker. However, the match was halted in the 11th minute when it became clear a medical emergency was unfolding in the stands. Your login session has expired. Chelsea felt aggrieved just before the break as William Troost-Ekong piled in on Mount, but was only booked by Coote, before Thiago Silva replaced Saul in an attempt to shore things up for Chelsea at half-time. Here are EPL Matters' player ratings from Watford 1-2 Chelsea: Kepa 7 - The goalkeeper had very little to do in the opening 80 minutes but made a key save in stoppage time to deny the opposition goalkeeper from scoring. Chelsea got back to winning ways by defeating Watford in a 2-1 victory in the Premier League at Vicarage Road on Wednesday night. NEWS. Player Stats for Watford 1-2 Chelsea. The occasion and sense of celebration was overshadowed, however, by worrying scenes in the crowd, as a medical emergency brought play to a halt early on in the first half. Your favorite teams, topics, and players all on your favorite mobile devices. The Spaniard, who formed part of a rather ineffective Chelsea midfield, was taken off at half-time after receiving a first-half booking. (Error Code: 102006) Emerson 8 Gerard Deulofeu wasnt much of a threat in open play up against Emerson who was back in the starting lineup after a lengthy injury absence. Chelsea player ratings vs Watford: Saul Niguez poor, Mason Mount shows class in scrappy win Here is how we rated the Blues players in their hard-fought victory over Watford in the Premier League By Sam Inkersole Chelsea correspondent 22:04, 1 DEC 2021 Chelsea This video cannot be played because of a technical error. The hosts did not let up, however, and were rewarded for their positive intent as they regained parity through Dennis in the 43rd minute. Playing in midfield in the absence of more experienced options, Loftus-Cheek could not make the most of his opportunity. FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Chelsea's win against Watford in the Premier League. By Abhinab Ghosh. 13. On his toes to ensure Azpilicueta didn't net a comical own goal.CB: Antonio Rudiger - 6/10 - His farewell performance. It might have been that finishing 11th with Watford in 2019 mattered more to Gracia but the FA Cup, as he said, is where everyone can live a little. The result brings the curtain down on what has been a tumultuous campaign for Chelsea. The youngster was solid in defense and looked confident throughout the hour he spent on the pitch. Odds & lines subject to change. Kurt Zouma was solid in the air and intercepted a number of passes. Imran Louza (DM) - 7/10 - Very tidy operator. He may not be as ever-present at the moment as he had been the past two seasons, but he remains a most important player in the team and hopefully this game and this performance will propel him to more consistent minutes and even better form. Nearly whipping the ball into his own net was pretty careless from him too. Chelsea were struggling to make things happen but almost landed a gift when Premier League debutant David Fofana managed to rounded a rash Leno, only to see a finish that lacked conviction blocked on the line by Fulham skipper Tim Ream. Hakim Ziyech scored late to earn Chelsea a 2-1 win at Watford on Wednesday night. CB: Thiago Silva (c) - 8/10 - So impressive when balls came into the box. Watford goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann, who got a touch to the shot, could have done better. He was never expected to have a busy afternoon, and he did well when called upon. akim Ziyech scored late to earn Chelsea a 2-1 win at Watford on Wednesday night. You can opt-out at any time by signing in to your account to manage your preferences. However, the game burst back into life at the death. Chelsea were dominant and went close again after a quarter of an hour, with Saul Niguez bending a low strike narrowly wide from range at the end of an intricate passing move. Some trademark ball-carries but not up to the standard required.CM: Edo Kayembe - 5/10 - Watford's most adventurous midfielder initially. newsletter, Sam Kerr named to 2022 FIFA FIFPRO Womens World XI. Havertz went close from another Kenedy pass in the final action of the first half, latching onto the Brazilian's pass before first the bouncing ball off the top of the crossbar. Not helped by Antonio Rudigers deflection for Dennis goal. Greaves: I was relieved to lose after 70-match win streak! Watford were the stronger of the two sides in the first. Bobby Decordova-Reid couldnt direct a header on target, but Andreas Pereira brought a fine save out of Kepa in the Chelsea goal after a low drive angled towards the corner from outside the box. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images), WATFORD, ENGLAND DECEMBER 01: Marcos Alonso of Chelsea celebrates with teammate Antonio Ruediger after victory in the Premier League match between Watford and Chelsea at Vicarage Road on December 01, 2021 in Watford, England. But it was fellow sub Ziyech who put them ahead against the run of play, finishing high into the net from 12 yards from Mount's cut back from the left flank. This is especially true when he is tasked with keeping the young Joao Pedro at bay. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Your email address will not be published.